Introducing myself...Major anxiety

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-29-2003
Introducing myself...Major anxiety
5
Fri, 10-13-2006 - 7:00am

Hello everyone. I wanted to introduce myself. My name is Karen. I've had problems wtih anxiety for as long as I can remember. It wasn't until age 24 (which was over 7 years ago) that I first sought help becuase things got so bad. I call what I have 'anxiety attacks'. I guess they're not true panic attacks because I don't feel like I'm going to die. They're intense though. I get in these anxiety 'modes' and it usually takes at least a couple weeks to subside.

I haven't had any major episodes until recently. The trigger was the fact that my 14 month old son is't talking at all yet. He also doesn't follow commands and seems to understand very little of what we're saying. I also have a very irrational fear that my son is autistic, even though he isn't showing any signs of it (except not talking). Anyway, it's driving me crazy. I had weaned myself off my Paxil a few months ago and now I'm back on it again. I'm also taking prn Ativan. Ativan, of course, makes me very sleepy. My stomach feels queasy all the time and I have hardly any appetite. I've already lost several pounds because of this stress.

This is all very strange. I don't know why I'm having such a tough time dealing with this. Three years ago, my daughter was stillborn and I dealt with that better than this. I'm just so afraid that something is wrong with my son. We are having Early Intervention come and do an evaluation on him. I'm so afraid of what they will tell me.
On top of that, my in-laws will here for a week tomorrow night.
Thanks.
Karen

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-27-2003
Fri, 10-13-2006 - 11:17am

hi karen,


first welcome to the board.

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 10-13-2006 - 12:08pm

Hello, Karen. We're glad that you found our supportive community. Remember that you are NOT alone. Many of us have experiences

 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 10-05-2003
Fri, 10-13-2006 - 4:27pm
Hi Karen, I just wanted to say a quick welcome to the board, I've been so busy lately and so behind on posts! But this is a great board for support and anything really!! Welcome again :)

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-22-2003
Fri, 10-13-2006 - 5:47pm

Hi, Karen, & welcome :)

Sheri Ann

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-29-2003
Fri, 10-13-2006 - 8:40pm
Thanks ladies! You all seem so nice. Boy, I HATE anxiety. It can really monopolize your life. One of you gals asked about my dose of Paxil. I'm taking 30mg. I've been on it before. I was starting to get anxious, then started the Paxil and started feeling a little better. Then these fears about my son's development started kicking up and things got out of control. I'm trying SO hard to accept the fact that I'm doing all I can for my son and just because he is speech delayed doesn't mean he won't live a normal life. It's tough though. My thoughts and fears spiral out of control. This is scary because it's been over three years since I've had any major anxiety episodes. The Ativan helps me get through the most intense moments. I am having trouble eating enough. Usually my appetite is great, but when I get anxious, my appetite disappears. I've lost some weight. I always get it back but it's frustrating.
By the way, I did speak with my son's doctor and he told me that he doesn't feel that there is cause for alarm for my son's lack of speech. He said he thinks my son will improve if we just work with him more. I hope so.
Thank you so much ladies.
Karen