7 posts shown.
Medication helped me out during those stretches when I honestly couldn't see the situation for what it really was, but if I'm being real, the biggest turning point was just stepping away from the chaos for a bit. Once I finally made peace with the symptoms—basically deciding that whatever happens, happens, and refusing to overthink it—everything just started falling into place on its own.
Good morning, everyone.
I doubt anyone here even remembers me, considering the last time I logged on was back in February 2011.
To give you the short version of my story: after losing someone close to me, I was hit with panic attacks and anxiety so intense I genuinely thought I was either losing my mind or dying—there was no middle ground. These episodes were happening multiple times a day and lasted forever. Derealization kicked in, too. I couldn't sleep for anything; even the slightest sudden noise would trigger an attack. Driving became impossible, and it felt like these constant black clouds were hanging over my head. Happiness just wasn't part of my vocabulary anymore. I tried smoking marijuana once, which was a disaster; it just tripled the symptoms. Then came the depression. I was terrified to leave the house and stopped seeing friends because social interaction just fueled the fire. Eventually, I saw a psychiatrist who prescribed Lexapro—maybe 0.25mg, forgive me if my memory is fuzzy since it’s been ages—and that helped me pull myself together slightly. The attacks nearly destroyed me, but they didn't break my spirit. I told myself, "This is brutal, but one day you're going to look back and laugh at all of this." Fast forward four years later: I’ve dropped 10 pounds, quit smoking two years ago, and gotten into incredible shape through running almost every single day. As for the attacks? I haven't had one in about two and a half years. Plus, I have a precious little girl now, about eighteen months old, who is the light of my life. I actually ended up embracing my biggest enemy—anxiety—and making peace with it, which made me incredibly mentally resilient. I'm talking so strong that I, a guy who smoked for ten years straight, quit cold turkey just by sheer willpower, something I never thought possible. Recently, I faced a situation where a loved one suffered a heart attack right in front of me; I spent 20 minutes trying to revive them until the paramedics arrived, but unfortunately, they passed away. Even then, I didn't have a panic attack. I think I've reached a point where nothing in life can easily break me; I've become very calm. I'm only writing this so that people currently feeling the way I used to feel know that life gets beautiful again eventually, and recovery is real. Hang in there and don't lose faith in yourselves.
Roger Rodriguez said:That sounds great, but please make sure you stop in time. Even with such a tiny dose, staying on it for more than a month might be pushing it.
Yeah, I get it. I have a checkup in a month, and they’ll probably cut me off since I'm feeling absolutely amazing right now—but honestly, I'm not going down that easy. I stay pretty active, hitting the gym and running every single day, even on those mornings when I really don't feel like moving.
Roger Rodriguez said:Are you taking nothing else besides the Xanax?
Are you being serious?
I've been staring blankly at my screen for several minutes now, struggling to find the right words to say.🤣
Wait, did a psychiatrist actually diagnose you with that, or is it just your own conclusion?
there is no way she’s just on Lexapro, especially at such a tiny 0.25 mg dose, I just can't buy it🙂 maybe it's just a placebo effect, but I'm not going to waste my energy arguing about it.😁😁
I honestly can't believe it, but after just four days on 25mg of Xanax twice a day—once in the morning and once at night—I'm already feeling so much better. That sense of derealization is finally starting to lift, and I actually feel capable of pulling my thoughts together and thinking logically again. The constant anxiety has completely vanished, and I haven't dealt with any side effects yet; I can finally get my life organized. I have a follow-up appointment in a month, and I’m really hoping this is the turning point. Thank God.
Robert Collins2 said:Before I started on Zoloft, I wasn't taking anything at all...
Gary Thompson6, you didn't just "make this up" in your head, and neither did I—you're dealing with a CLINICAL ILLNESS, okay? Understand me?
Look, I get that it's a clinical condition, but it still stems from how we process things and how we think.☕ I used to deal with panic attacks, but once I actually sat down and applied some logic to them, they just stopped on their own. Right now, I'm dealing with a bit of derealization, so I went to see a psychiatrist, but honestly, it helps knowing that one day I'll be able to look back at all this and laugh. I’m doing my best to actually enjoy life, and having my wife's support means the world to me, but again—this will all pass. Life is too short to spend it stressing over these sensations. Just lots of exercise and trying not to overthink things. We're young, after all.😉😉😉🙂
God bless everyone. I’m the new guy here in this little club for the anxious, the depressed, and those who have spent way too much time convincing themselves of absolute nonsense. Could someone please give me a quick rundown on how to post? Otherwise, I might have to reach for some Helix immediately.