Overcoming it for good?

[bjm2013]

I have some form of mixed anxiety-depression that is very recurrent and and episodic. It usually happens waves for me lasting somewhere around a month to a few months before making a full recovery towards normalcy. I'm 28 and this is my 4th " Episode " in the last 10 years.

Each bout is usually focused on some external phobia that I develop. This time around, it's sleep. I'm literally afraid that I won't get sleep which has then prevented me from actually sleeping well. I'm currently seeing my p-doc and was put on Lexapro and Trazadone for sleep. Ativan and Xanax have failed to get me through the night. Ambien has not worked. I know it's in my head.

My question is in regards to anyone having a similar situation to me but has found remission for an extended amount of time? How many episodes have been had? What did you do to really cope well and recover for good?

[preston7777]

Hey there BJM,

I'm 27 and like you have suffered from recurrent bout of depression and anxiety, with different bouts coming with different problems(insomnia,nauseau, etc.) I went through a particularly rough time from 21 to 23 where I did not sleep much and was put on the whole nine yards of medications. I eventually got off all medication and learned a few tricks with sleep.

But first I have a few questions. Outside of your medication, what else have you done to remedy your situation? Do you exercise? What is your diet like? Do you drink tea or take supplements? What is your routine like before bed? Do you have stressful job?

[Bob K]

Hi BJM;

Your situation sounds eerily similar to my own.  I am 51, and have been through four deep valleys that last a number of months with this monster over the past 20 years.  The root cause seems to always revolve around health issues.  They last for months and are hell on wheels.  I have seen therapists, taken meds, prayed, cried, ...  During these times I have had intense bouts of IBS and lost weight, suffered with insomnia and tried Rx sleep aids (which did give some help), been to my family doc waaaay too many times, performed more Google searches than I can count, driven my family nuts, and lost a bunch of quality time while doing all of this.

I have no idea how to keep this from happening again.  I wish I did.  Finding AZ has been a God-send because I can talk to folks like us and share experiences.

Bob