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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jms600 on January 2, 2009, at 16:35:19
Hi everyone,
I'm going through a real bad time at the moment - my chronic anxiety has gotten so bad lately (just after Christmas) that sometimes I find it so hard to carry on.
My diagnoses is severe GAD, panic disorder and co-morbid depression. My GAD/panic disorder seems to be revolving around the fear that I am going to 'lose it' or go 'crazy' - that I'll somehow lose control and do something completely stupid or hurt someone.
Is it possible for a person with acute and chronic anxiety issues to succumb to a nervous breakdown where they no longer have complete control over their actions, behaviour and emotions - and generally 'lose it'.
As far as I'm aware - and my psychiatrist - I am suffering from no form of psychosis. My main issue is severe anxiety and depression.
What makes this all the more worse is the fact that I am currently on what many would say is a strong cocktail - 175mg Amitriptyline, 600mg Lithium and 40mg Buspirone.
I've been through all of the SSRIs, some of the SNRIs and a number of typical/atypical antipsychotic meds - all of which seem to be mostly ineffective.
Benzodiazepines are not really an option due to tolerance forming from regular Valium usage in the past.
So can acute and chronic anxiety really eventually lead to an 'out of control' breakdown??
Thanks.
Posted by JadeKelly on January 2, 2009, at 19:41:19
In reply to Can severe anxiety lead to a mental breakdown..?, posted by jms600 on January 2, 2009, at 16:35:19
> Hi everyone,
>
> I'm going through a real bad time at the moment - my chronic anxiety has gotten so bad lately (just after Christmas) that sometimes I find it so hard to carry on.
>
> My diagnoses is severe GAD, panic disorder and co-morbid depression. My GAD/panic disorder seems to be revolving around the fear that I am going to 'lose it' or go 'crazy' - that I'll somehow lose control and do something completely stupid or hurt someone.
>
> Is it possible for a person with acute and chronic anxiety issues to succumb to a nervous breakdown where they no longer have complete control over their actions, behaviour and emotions - and generally 'lose it'.
>
> As far as I'm aware - and my psychiatrist - I am suffering from no form of psychosis. My main issue is severe anxiety and depression.
>
> What makes this all the more worse is the fact that I am currently on what many would say is a strong cocktail - 175mg Amitriptyline, 600mg Lithium and 40mg Buspirone.
>
> I've been through all of the SSRIs, some of the SNRIs and a number of typical/atypical antipsychotic meds - all of which seem to be mostly ineffective.
>
> Benzodiazepines are not really an option due to tolerance forming from regular Valium usage in the past.
>
> So can acute and chronic anxiety really eventually lead to an 'out of control' breakdown??
>
> Thanks.Hello,
I would geuss, and thats all it is, that the fact that you are able to get on line and articulate how you are feeling means you are in control of yourself and your actions. I'm really sorry you're feeling so bad, this time of year is hell for so many people. So you have tried the usual suspects and nothing is working? The med I'm currently on decided to turn on me (hopefully briefly) and I felt like I've been crawling outa my skin the last couple days, anger, frustration, just strong, negative emotions. I saw a post that suggested melatonin, I took 2 3-mg tabs and boy was I calm. And I take Klon 3x day! like you, it doesn't work that way for me. So try the Melatonin if you can. If you get worse PLEASE call Doc or stop in at hospital.Btw-They also sell it as Melatonin Plus-For stress relief and sounder sleep. just make sure no contraindications.
Good Luck,
Jade
Posted by Phillipa on January 3, 2009, at 0:47:18
In reply to Re: Can severe anxiety lead to a mental breakdown..? » jms600, posted by JadeKelly on January 2, 2009, at 19:41:19
Jade melatonin really makes you calmer. What brand what store? Got vitamin shoppe here and GNC???? I'm serious it works? I remember way in past in late 20's took it and didn't want to breathe it was wierd didn't take it again. I also have the tolerance to benzos tired instead of energy as in the past. I remember when they pulled it for a while that the pdoc I had got it shipped to his office for a patient as it was the only thing that worked for her. It also helps reestablish body clock rhythms doesn't it? Love Phillipa
Posted by polarbear206 on January 3, 2009, at 11:16:54
In reply to Can severe anxiety lead to a mental breakdown..?, posted by jms600 on January 2, 2009, at 16:35:19
> Hi everyone,
>
> I'm going through a real bad time at the moment - my chronic anxiety has gotten so bad lately (just after Christmas) that sometimes I find it so hard to carry on.
>
> My diagnoses is severe GAD, panic disorder and co-morbid depression. My GAD/panic disorder seems to be revolving around the fear that I am going to 'lose it' or go 'crazy' - that I'll somehow lose control and do something completely stupid or hurt someone.
>
> Is it possible for a person with acute and chronic anxiety issues to succumb to a nervous breakdown where they no longer have complete control over their actions, behaviour and emotions - and generally 'lose it'.
>
> As far as I'm aware - and my psychiatrist - I am suffering from no form of psychosis. My main issue is severe anxiety and depression.
>
> What makes this all the more worse is the fact that I am currently on what many would say is a strong cocktail - 175mg Amitriptyline, 600mg Lithium and 40mg Buspirone.
>
> I've been through all of the SSRIs, some of the SNRIs and a number of typical/atypical antipsychotic meds - all of which seem to be mostly ineffective.
>
> Benzodiazepines are not really an option due to tolerance forming from regular Valium usage in the past.
>
> So can acute and chronic anxiety really eventually lead to an 'out of control' breakdown??
>
> Thanks.
>Perhaps the amitriptyline is exacerbating your anxiety. I would suggest discussing with you doctor to increasing your mood stablizer and cutting back on the AD. Tricyclics are notorious for causing hightened anxiety in some individuals. According to your cocktail, I suspect your doctor thinks you may have a underlying sub-type of bipolar. Anxiety that still persists after multiple trials of AD's should be looked into more closely.
Posted by JadeKelly on January 4, 2009, at 3:08:13
In reply to Can severe anxiety lead to a mental breakdown..?, posted by jms600 on January 2, 2009, at 16:35:19
Hi jsm600,
I left you a post on the 2nd parnate thread but forgot to put your name on it! It just says JadeKelly twice. Aside from that, wanted to see how you are doing? Do you still feel close to panic attack? No fun, but the urge usually passes, right? Or are you feeling the same or worse?
I can tell you from personal experience that no matter how "strong" the cocktail is, if its not the right one for you it can make you far worse. Did you tell your PDoc what you are feeling ? As in, what you wrote in your post? If not, can I urge you to do so? To leave you feeling this way on meds that are obviously not working would be, at best, irresponsible. The goal isn't to keep you just above panic/psychotic level. More can be done for you. Please contact your Doc and relay the urgency? I know a lot of us go in and want Doc to see how well were doing. Tell him what you told us. I think a different med regimen is in order. JMHO, of course. You deserve better.
Keep us posted whats goin on, OK?
Be Well~Jade
Posted by bleauberry on January 4, 2009, at 16:05:12
In reply to Can severe anxiety lead to a mental breakdown..?, posted by jms600 on January 2, 2009, at 16:35:19
Can severe anxiety lead to mental breakdown? Definitely. Actually, I can't think of another cause that would be more likely to ruin someone. Maybe an outright case of fullblown psychosis, though it also could have had its seeds sown from severe anxiety. It is so devastating to the whole body, immune system, hormones, digestion, and nervous system.
You gotta get it under control and that's all there is to it. Addicted to a benzo? So what? It's no more of an addiction than amitriptyline or buspar. Try stopping one of those cold turkey and see what happens.
Research benzos, research calming supplements and herbs, and take a second look at APs.
In my opinion, the Buspar is highly suspect in your case. At that dose its metabolite is squirting out tons and tons of adrenaline. Go research how buspar works and you'll see what I mean. At a lower dose the other mechanisms probably over-ride that. Bottom line, if you have severe anxiety at 40mg buspar, ditch the buspar and get something, anything, that works, to prevent further trauma from gaining strength.
Supplements to take a look at would include:
Gaba
Glycine
Magnesium Citrate or Glycinate
Niacinimide
Passion Flower tea or tincture
Posted by elanor roosevelt on January 5, 2009, at 18:37:53
In reply to Re: Can severe anxiety lead to a mental breakdown..?, posted by bleauberry on January 4, 2009, at 16:05:12
for 24/7 anxiety i think buspar is magic
we all have our own special little brain chemistry hells but i would never increase a mood stabilizer when dealing with severe anxiety
good luck
take warm baths
Posted by polarbear206 on January 7, 2009, at 18:53:53
In reply to Can severe anxiety lead to a mental breakdown..?, posted by jms600 on January 2, 2009, at 16:35:19
See the above post anxiety and bipolar. Click the link and will take you to psycheducation.org.
Posted by Sissy35 on January 7, 2009, at 20:58:50
In reply to Can severe anxiety lead to a mental breakdown..?, posted by jms600 on January 2, 2009, at 16:35:19
If stress could drive you nuts I would be Queen Victoria in some state hospital right now.
I know what you are going through I went through the same thing 20 yrs ago. It still feels like it was yesterday because it was the worst period of my life.
For 3yrs not only did I have Gad, I felt constant panic attacks every minute I was awake.
Because of this I didn't leave the house for over 2 years. That was hard to do when I had 3 small ones to take care of.
This occured before Gad & panic attacks were in Vouge. My doc kept telling me he felt it was something physical.
I picked up a book by Dr Clarie Weeks and within 3 months I was fully recovered and working outside the home.
I am mot suggesting you take the route I did because at that time I had no other choice.My biggest fear was just like yours I would go insane or hurt one of my children. The more I feared it the stronger the fear becomes. Scarry thoughts create groves in your brain much like a needle does to a record on a record player. The scarrier the thought is the deeper the grove. This in turn creates a vicious cycle. Tension leads to fear fear leads to more tension. And around and around you go.
Please don't depend on drugs alone to get out of this. Yes meds are needed at this intense time, even Dr Weeks agrees with this, but to be totally cured you need to know the way out. If i can help in anyway let me know.
I still can have panic attacks but the difference is I am not afraid of them so they lose interest and go away.It will get better'
sissy35
Posted by hugsandkisses on January 15, 2009, at 12:30:30
In reply to Re: Can severe anxiety lead to a mental breakdown..? » jms600, posted by JadeKelly on January 2, 2009, at 19:41:19
Hello, I never knew that what I was experiening was anxiety,I called it my feeling that something bad was going to happen.when one day I happened to take my klonapin at the same time as I was having that feeling. Well the feeling went away and I put 2 and 2 together and found relief. Now when it happens I don't panic,I just take the big "K". I have really begun to pay attention to my way of life. I told my husband that I didn't want to do anything for the holidays{I searched the website and xmas isn't Christ birhday anyway] so we did away with another load of stress,oh how I wished I'd searched the web for Xmas traditions cause I think I'm worth more than any man made holiday.
This is the end of the thread.
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