Morning Anxiety..please post your experiences/solutions

[CELESTEP]

I was just reading some posts on this and Moedaddy said something that made me cry......because it is what I am experiencing now and have had for about 12 years.

Morning Anxiety illicits memories of when I first had a meltdown with anxiety and depression and had horrific morning anxiety. Raging anxiety, dry heaving, fear off the richter scale.

I am having it again very badly and I am on lexapro which I crossed over to from paxil in three weeks back in Jan-feb 2006. How could this be happening while on the drug? It is supposed to control it?

It is bad and I am terrified once again. Please any information would be appreciated.

[tybr61]

I have never taken Lexapro but have heard that it can cause anxiety. There are several on here who have taken it and had to get off because it made their anxiety so bad.

Plus, going off Paxil and on Lexapro doesn't keep you from experiencig withdrawal from Paxil. Although it has been a long time since you made the switch. It's quite possible it's the Lexapro causing it or a combination of Paxil withdrawal and Lexapro.

Others on here might have suggestions. I sympathize with your morning anxiety as I have been there and it is miserable.

[Casey1231]

When I have morning anxiety:

I lay there and do slow, deep breaths and allow the anxiety feeling to move through me, not resisting it. Mind you this is difficult and has taken time and practice to realize that it is just a feeling and will not kill me.

This is the true key to healing from anxiety. We give it so much power and try to run from it, which just makes it a lurking monster. When we allow ourselves to feel it, even invite it in, we realize it is just a feeling which has no power over us at all.

Books that have helped me immensely:

"Power over Panic" by Bronwyn Fox
"Embracing the Fear" by can't remember who
"Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life" by Steven C. Hayes - this one comes in a workbook form and is particularly helpful, although you must get over the idea that anxiety must be eliminated in order to feel better. The paradox is that accepting anxiety is the true path to freedom.

[texgirl]

I've had a lot of success in the past with guided imagery. There are several wonderful CDs and audiotapes by the company Health Journeys. Google them to get the URL. They have a brand-new disc on panic attacks that I've just ordered. Will post here after I've received it and let you know how effective it is.

[texgirl]

Originally Posted by Casey1231

The paradox is that accepting anxiety is the true path to freedom.

Another great book that operates on this concept is Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha by Tara Brach. The author is a long-time meditation instructor who wrote the book in order to make Buddhist concepts of mindfulness relatable to Westerners.