When does the irrational anxiety stop?

nic908 · 12-16-2005, 09:21 PM

I've slowly weaned myself down and completely stopped Paxil a few days ago. I am a total emotional rollercoaster these days. Euphoric one minute, depressed the next. I know it will take time for my brain and body to readjust after almost 3 years on this drug. The irrational anxiety is the worst part. It's almost like paranoia at times...feeling like people are always talking about me, feeling I am always making mistakes at work, thinking I am going to say something stupid in public, etc. Even though in my head I know these things are not true, the anxiety keeps building. I try to put things in perspective by telling myself "When I was on Paxil, none of these things would bother me. Why are they now?". When does this irrational anxiety end?

sherijo · 12-16-2005, 09:29 PM

Give yourself some time.. 3 weeks ago (my week 5) i couldn't even be in near my boss without being afraid he would fire me.. and i would yell at him all the time.. he is aware of my situation, his mother in law went through the same thing on her WD. he told me today.. you seem much more even keel now, and not irrational at all! So.. just make sure that people understand.. the first couple of weeks, even my best friends couldn't deal with me..
if will get better, and then one day you will realize.. "hey! i feel better!" at least that how it is going for me.
Good luck! and HANG IN THERE!
Sheri

Light · 12-16-2005, 10:28 PM

With regard to the irrational anxiety, the first couple of months were hell for me. Months 5-6 were horrendous but slightly better. It let up a bit in months 7-8 but it's still above any pre-medication anxiety that I ever experienced. My mood swings have greatly improved. I'd say at least a 50% improvement... if not more. Your recovery may happen more quickly but it's helpful to view it as a process spanning several months.

On a scale from 1-10 with zero being non-anxious (or appropriately anxious).

Pre meds = 3

on meds = 2

2 mths = 11
(post withdrawal)

5 mths = 9

8 mths = 7.5

nic908 · 12-17-2005, 08:16 AM

Thanks so much for your responses! I know it will take time and I just have to hang in there. I'm in this for the long haul and refuse to go back on Paxil. I am going to start seeing a therapist to hopefully get some coping strategies to help work through this anxiety. Has anyone had a good results dealing with anxiey through therapy?

sherijo · 12-17-2005, 09:30 AM

2 things help me.. A good cry.. Seriously.. and reading everything I can that says that you can control it.. believing that is won't always be there.

sheri

unique · 12-18-2005, 10:55 AM

I think talk therapy is definitely the way to go! You may have to go to 2 or 3 before finding the right therapist for you... but it sure beats being on any SSRI!!! You're not covering up the anxiety with drugs, you're dealing with it head on through talking about it. Good luck to you!

12-16-2005, 09:21 PM	#1
nic908 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 109	When does the irrational anxiety stop? I've slowly weaned myself down and completely stopped Paxil a few days ago. I am a total emotional rollercoaster these days. Euphoric one minute, depressed the next. I know it will take time for my brain and body to readjust after almost 3 years on this drug. The irrational anxiety is the worst part. It's almost like paranoia at times...feeling like people are always talking about me, feeling I am always making mistakes at work, thinking I am going to say something stupid in public, etc. Even though in my head I know these things are not true, the anxiety keeps building. I try to put things in perspective by telling myself "When I was on Paxil, none of these things would bother me. Why are they now?". When does this irrational anxiety end? __________________ Started Paxil CR 25 mg in Jan '03 for severe anxiey/depression Switched to generic Paxil 20 mg in March '05 during Paxil CR recall Completely weaned off Paxil by June '05 Started Prozac 20 mg shortly afterward Off Prozac and back on Paxil CR 12.5 mg in July '05 Determined to successfully rid myself of Paxil for good Completely off paxil as of 12/12/05!!

12-16-2005, 09:29 PM	#2
sherijo Banned Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: chicago, illinois Posts: 1,358	Re: When does the irrational anxiety stop? Give yourself some time.. 3 weeks ago (my week 5) i couldn't even be in near my boss without being afraid he would fire me.. and i would yell at him all the time.. he is aware of my situation, his mother in law went through the same thing on her WD. he told me today.. you seem much more even keel now, and not irrational at all! So.. just make sure that people understand.. the first couple of weeks, even my best friends couldn't deal with me.. if will get better, and then one day you will realize.. "hey! i feel better!" at least that how it is going for me. Good luck! and HANG IN THERE! Sheri

12-16-2005, 10:28 PM	#3
Light Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 2,271	Re: When does the irrational anxiety stop? With regard to the irrational anxiety, the first couple of months were hell for me. Months 5-6 were horrendous but slightly better. It let up a bit in months 7-8 but it's still above any pre-medication anxiety that I ever experienced. My mood swings have greatly improved. I'd say at least a 50% improvement... if not more. Your recovery may happen more quickly but it's helpful to view it as a process spanning several months. On a scale from 1-10 with zero being non-anxious (or appropriately anxious). Pre meds = 3 on meds = 2 2 mths = 11 (post withdrawal) 5 mths = 9 8 mths = 7.5 __________________ Drug-free since 4/9/05 If you ever teach a yodeling class, probably the hardest thing is to keep the students from just trying to yodel right off the bat. You see, "we build to that. " — Jack Handey

12-17-2005, 08:16 AM	#4
nic908 Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Michigan Posts: 109	Re: When does the irrational anxiety stop? Thanks so much for your responses! I know it will take time and I just have to hang in there. I'm in this for the long haul and refuse to go back on Paxil. I am going to start seeing a therapist to hopefully get some coping strategies to help work through this anxiety. Has anyone had a good results dealing with anxiey through therapy? __________________ Started Paxil CR 25 mg in Jan '03 for severe anxiey/depression Switched to generic Paxil 20 mg in March '05 during Paxil CR recall Completely weaned off Paxil by June '05 Started Prozac 20 mg shortly afterward Off Prozac and back on Paxil CR 12.5 mg in July '05 Determined to successfully rid myself of Paxil for good Completely off paxil as of 12/12/05!!

12-17-2005, 09:30 AM	#5
sherijo Banned Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: chicago, illinois Posts: 1,358	Re: When does the irrational anxiety stop? 2 things help me.. A good cry.. Seriously.. and reading everything I can that says that you can control it.. believing that is won't always be there. sheri

12-18-2005, 10:55 AM	#6
unique Guest Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 471	Re: When does the irrational anxiety stop? I think talk therapy is definitely the way to go! You may have to go to 2 or 3 before finding the right therapist for you... but it sure beats being on any SSRI!!! You're not covering up the anxiety with drugs, you're dealing with it head on through talking about it. Good luck to you!

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