Newbie here!

[Cally539]

Hi,
 I just found this group today and have found a lot of support by just reading other posts! Here's my brief story:

I'm a first year assistant professor of psychology (developmental & educational, so I really don't know a whole lot about anxiety). Things are going great, I love my job, husband, life, etc. Then I had a week of feeling dizzy, hazy, and sick to my stomach. I went to my doctor who said it was probably nothing, possibly related to my menstrual cycle, cold, etc. But he wanted to do a blood test. Well the blood test came back with some inconclusive results and he wanted another one. I asked what could be wrong and he said, well it could be nothing, a few different diseases, or cancer.  So I did get a little freaked out. Two nights later, I had my first panic attack in the middle of the night. The doctor wasn't too worried, since my attack had an obvious cause, and said all my symptoms should go away in a few days and gave me some xanax. (Oh and by this time my blood test came back normal). Thus began my journey through anxiety/panic hell. After a week of still having mild panic attacks, and mostly just constant general anxiety, my doctor suggested I try lexapro. I only took one because the side effects were horrible. I was supposed to take pristiq, but was scared of the side effects. Eventually I started talking to other faculty at work who specialize in counseling and got the advice that I'm ruminating and being too sensitive to cues in my body. Slowly the anxiety stared to become less severe. I did go to a psychologist, but by the time I went, I really wasn't having many symptoms. This whole process lasted about 4 weeks. Then I felt normal again for about ten days. Now I've kinda slipped back. My symptoms aren't nearly as severe as the first time, mostly brain fog, racing heart, and I do feel a little depressed, but I think that's because I'm sad I'm relapsing. As one of the professionals told me, anxiety isn't something you cure, you just learn to live with it effectively.

As a side note, I should add that my sister, mother, and maternal grandfather all suffer from anxiety so I had the genetic predisposition. My mom has really been the best support through this whole thing.

Currently what seems to help me is prayer, staying busy, progressive relaxation, yoga, and exercising regularly. I've also been experimenting with different teas, like chamomile, but I'm not really sure if they are helping.

I'm looking forward to meeting others and offering what support I can.

Thanks!

[sixpack]

HI Cally.

I'm glad you found us and are finding some helpful advice.

Anxiety can definitely be triggered by a health scare.  So you fit right in there.     Some folks don't want to go the med route, and if they can get things under control without them, then go for it.  I'm not on any meds presently.  I took paxil in 2000 and zoloft in 2003.  Both helped with all the ruminating.  Sometimes you do need meds to stop the loop.  For me Green tea has been quite helpful in calming me down.  I used it a lot when pg with my 6th for tummy aches.  So green tea has at least two benefits, I can think of.  I've recently started drinking Chai tea also.  It has all those lovely anti-oxidants (hmmm green tea does too) to keep our cells chugging along well but it seems to soothe me too.

[Cally539]

Thanks for the welcome sixpack! I've been looking into green tea for the theanine. Could you tell me what kind/brand you drink? I've read some articles that it has to be green tea made with young leaves??? Any help would be appreciated!

[tigerpaw]

 

[denirig]

Hi Cally I just joined up yesterday and I gotta say while I was reading your post and I was so glad to see what you back  ground was. I am a psychology major my field of study is family therapy and substance abuse I hope to be a substance abuse counselor when I'm done.
What encouraged me was that you are in the field of psychology.  I have been struggling with anxiety for about 10 years but recently it became a lot worse and then I finally got the diagnoses that I suffer from GAD, which was relief but it is still hard. I think what is making it a little more difficult for me is the thought of how the heck am I suppose to help others if I can not help my self. I am starting to see that this disorder might put me in a better postion to help others when I am out in the field. But for now I need to take it one day at a time, sometimes like today I need to take it one hour one moment at a time.

As far as gentics go I have that as well, I have it on both sides of the family. I also love drinking tea although I have not had any for about two weeks, I started to take citalopram at that time and am having side effects from it, but they seem to be getting less and less and I am feeling better. I just did not know if the tea could cause the side effects to be worse so I gave up my tea until my body has had time to adjust to the medicine. I am also finding comfort in praying I can tell you that prayer does work it causes me to relax. I also am starting to listen to soft praise and worship music that also calms me down.

[sixpack]

I buy the bigelow brand most often.