Anxiety and depression. Please help.?

Question

I have taken myself off of Oxycodone following a serious back surgery that I've had. My DR. warned me of withdrawals and prescribed Ativan to help. It's been 4 days and I am having mild to medium panic attacks ( which, I have never suffered from before!) I am depressed and can not stop crying. I have only taken the Ativan a couple of times because I think it makes more depressed. Anything else I can do? I've talked to my DR and he said it's all part of withdrawal....Any advice? BTW, the panic attacks and depression are the only withdrawal symptoms I am going through thank god! Is there anything else that I can do to stop having these panic attacks?? Should I just take the Ativan and not worry about it so much?

Answer 1

Well it seems to me that you might have went cold turkey "stopped all at once" instead of tapering off them slowly. You should talk things over with the doctor before even thinking of going off something so strong that fast. I would call a drug rehab. center and ask them what would be the best thing to do? Since they deal with these things everyday they would be the best ones to help. If they feel that the doctor your seeing is using the best course of action they well tell you. If not they can recommend the best treatment to help you.

Answer 2

it doesnt matter what meds you take coping skills ate going to get you by with  the right meds. nnot all meds work for everyone the same so i cant really say whats works better then another. coping skills are concentration excercises, breathing techniches, and mind control.

Answer 3

I'd draw on the coping skills you used in the past for your anxiety. And if that doesn't work - take the Ativan in minimal amounts. I'd also look at other things like.... is it possible that your ovulating? (I've been crying and depressed all week cause of that) What else is going on in your life that may be feeding into these natural emotions?

Answer 4

i started getting anxiety after i found out i have SVT thats a heart condtion and it just got worse the anxiety im talking about, i would monitor the anxiety if i were u and after a month if u still have it seek more advice

Answer 5

View the techniques for control of anxiety/panic attacks, in section 8, at ezy build, below. Begin, on this first occasion, only, by holding your breath for 5, or 10 seconds: this will give you the confidence to realise that YOU CAN CONTROL YOUR BREATHING, but not pass out, or die (your autonomic nervous system resumes breathing, if you become unconscious). Understand panic attacks, and what triggers them, in your life (if it is unresolved anxiety, or stress, see sections 6, or 42, respectively). The paper bag method works for most people: try it.  

   If you are fairly suggestible, the following are reliable: http://www.hypnosisdownloads.com/

Your last alternative is psychotherapy, to address its fundamental cause: read section 1, and examine the http://1-800-therapist.com/  website, and use the locators, and phone book. I used to suffer from panic attacks, until I questioned what had changed in my life, at, or just before that time, to trigger them. For some people, this is enough. These days, I have instilled the habit of, whenever a situation occurs where panic is likely, I visualise a large, "STOP!" sign, as vividly as possible, followed by repeating to myself: "stay calm" in my mind. You could try the same method. It usually takes 30 - 40 repetitions, for most people, to establish a new habit. I also suggest that you learn, then practise the controlled breathing technique, until competent, then employ it, at the very first sign of a panic attack.  

   Practice one of the relaxation methods on pages 2, 11, 2c, or 2i, daily, and when needed. Also, give the EFT a good tryout, to see if it helps you. There is also a version for use in public places, (if you like, you can claim to have a headache, as you massage/lightly tap your temples, but you would then be restricted to subvocalising: saying it to yourself in your mind). Section 53, and pages 2, 2.q and 2.o at http://www.ezy-build.net.nz/~shaneris also refer: "Even though I sometimes suffer from panic attacks, I deeply and completely accept myself." Note: the controlled breathing only helps with the symptoms (as do medications/herbal remedies): you need to address the underlying cause, and this requires some form of therapy, and Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy has proved effective.

   Advice from a published psychiatrist on controlled breathing. (1.) Get a clock, or watch with a second timer. (2.) Practise for 5 minutes, 4 times daily, until proficient. (3.) Take a small breath in, and hold it, for 6 seconds. (4.) Think to yourself: "RELAX", just before breathing out. (5.) Try to feel a sense of releasing tension, as you breathe out. (6.) Breathe in for 3 seconds, then out, for 3 seconds. Try to make your breathing very smooth, and light, as you breathe in through your nose, and out through your mouth, or nose. (7.) For the next minute, continue to breathe in, and out, every 3 seconds. (8.) Go back to step 3, at the end of the minute, and proceed through to step 7, doing this for 5 minutes. Use this at the very first sign of a panic attack starting, or any time you feel anxious, or tense.  

   Because many people can't access/afford professional therapy, I include the EFT, and EMDR variant for them to try, free of charge. Cognitive Behavio(u)ral Therapy is generally available in most areas, but EMDR (see section 33) may well be worth trying, and is becoming more widespread.

  I also use it prior to my chosen relaxation technique, after lights out, at night. Depression: section 2: see page R first. Anxiety: section 6: view page N first. Try taking chamomile tea and ginseng, as these are used for addiction withdrawals.      

        It may also help to minimise, or eliminate caffeine products from your life (coffee can be a trigger) and sugar. Xylitol, or Stevia is preferable, (health food stores) or fruit sugar (fructose, such as "Fruisana", from supermarket sugar aisles) or even a little honey. Minimise/eliminate consumption of highly processed foods, particularly grain products, such as white bread, donuts, cake, cookies/biscuits, or anything with sugar. Opt for more wholefoods, non-starchy vegetables, and fruit.