Seeking Moms with Anxiety or Panic Maybe Depression

Hi C.,

I think we've all been there. Having small children is very, very stressful. As my children have gotten older, my stress level has gone way down. So I wanted you to know that 'this too shall pass...' But in the meantime, I take two 200 mg SAM-E a day. It's a vitamin that is proven in studies to be as effective as Prozac and it's all natural. I get mine at Costco. It seems to take the edge off my bad moods/anxiety, especially PMS. Just thought I'd put that out there.

Good luck and know that we all feel that way sometimes, overwhelmed, hopeless, fatigued! I am big on exercise as someone else suggested. Keep us posted!

2 moms found this helpful

C.,

I've been dealing with an anxiety disorder the doctor's have diagnosed as obsessive-compulsive disorder, which is commonly addressed as OCD. I've tried various medicine (prozac, xanax, ect.), but have found the prescribed drug, "paxel" to be more effective to my needs as I also benefit with less side affects.

Upon research I find that "anxiety" is commonly a temporary reaction to stress. It only becomes a disorder when it persists and prevents you from leading a normal life. Apparently there are several different kinds of anxiety disorders. These include phobias and obsessive-compulsive disorders. However, trying to understand what is causing your anxiety is the most important step to overcoming this disorder. I've associated my anxiety with needing to be organized. Knowing this about myself has released a lot of my stress load. Therefore, having a daily planner and keeping my thoughts written out (doctor/dentist appt. jotted on calendar, daily schedule routine written in journal, etc.) all balances out my anxiety and keeps me from overloading my brain.

Also, I run, eat healthy, take time to relax (bubble baths, read books, etc.) to keep my body and mind less stressful. Various methods of relaxation can lessen the severity of anxiety symptoms. When you feel tense or troubled, try doing relaxation exercises or some physical activity (swimming, jogging, brisk walking, etc.). You might find this helps.

You may need to address this issue with your doctor, they may even suggest you talk to a psychiatrist to look into the causes of your anxiety. The phsychiatrist will determine which of the anxiety disorders you have and recommend treatment. Various forms of phychotherapy are often helpful, as are medications such as antianxiety drugs (minor tranquilizers) or antidepressants, which your using now. Usually a combination of therapy and drug treatments are helpful to people with anxiety disorders.

From what it sounds like, you've already taken great steps to overcoming your anxiety disorder...just keep it up and remember to find time for YOU!!!!

Let me know how it's going from time to time. I'd love to hear from you.

From "One Mom to Another", (Good Luck!!)

C. =)
____@____.com

I have had panic/anxiety and Depression since before I had children.
I find it imposible to work I stay home all the time.
I also find it hard to deal with the effects of the meds. so I try to eat right take walks and try to stay relaxed as much as I can with 4 kids.
Counseling gives you the tools you need to carry on in day to day life and is very helpful.
I also have two children with Panic/anxiety my oldest who is 15 has been put on a special plan at school that allows her to beable to escape if she needs to to a safe place.
My Son has not gotten to that point yet but he is 11 and likes to keep to himself and not do things that might embarassse him.
he is very active in riding motor cycles and computers.
I guess I am trying to say its a horrible thing to have to live with and I really feel for you and just hang in there there are so many moms out there who are in the same place you are.
You might try to find a support group with other moms with these types of things in common.
My Mom and Dad both have some form of Anxiety and the Doctor told me that it is passed on I have it my children have it my husband does to and so we just try to keep an eye on our children to see if they are feeling paniced or any thing like that so that we can help them to deal with it.
Good luck to you and I hope that you find what you are looking for.
T.

Hi there, C. --

I have panic/anxiety and depression, too It's great that you're doing counseling and taking medicine. You asked about other things to try . . .

Do you exercise? Besides running around after my two-year-old, my main sources of exercise are gardening and walking. However, I admit that they're extra hard to do when I'm feeling anxious or blue.

The very best thing I've found to help my situation is to be very, very careful with my diet. I try to eat whole grains, lean protein, and lots and lots of leafy green vegetables. The simpler and more whole-foods focused my diet is, the better my mood is. I also have started to take calcium and magnesium supplements at night, which helps me sleep. I'm convinced that some of my anxiety problems get exacerbated when I'm low on important minerals.

I don't know what else to say besides you're not alone. It's so hard to keep up with self-care when we're caring for our families. When you're extra sensitive (as I'm sure you must be if you suffer from anxiety and depression), family commotion can trigger quite a bit. Keep breathing!

-C.

Hi C.,

It's just awful, isn't it?! I was just diagnosed as having Bi-Polar Disorder. My "manic" side manifests itself in anxiety. Which I was very disappointed about, I thought the "manic" part was supposed to be fun! Anyway, I also take xanax and I am hooked on it. I can't seem to deal with the anxiety that comes out of nowhere, and I end up taking more than I should and then I run out before I can get my prescription refilled. Coming off of Xanax, on top of all the normal anxiety I experience is quite something. I wish I had some miracle cure for us -- exercise helps some -- but I'm afraid I haven't a clue. I'm hoping that mine goes away once this new anti-depressant or anti bi-polar, I don't know what it is(!) takes effect. Like right now, I have nothing to be anxious about but I'm shaking! I'm trying hard not to take the xanax, but I feel like I'm going to crawl right out of my own skin.

Maybe I wasn't the person you needed to respond, since I gave you nothing concrete to do. I just wanted you to know that you're not alone out there. Hope you feel better soon!

V. T.

Hi C.,
You are not alone out there. I am a 42 year old mom of 4, ages 22,20,15,9.I have panic disorder and post tramatic stress disorder. I have been married for 3 years to a beautiful man.This is my 3rd and last marriage.
I take paxil along with other meds for other problems.
The thing I do helps the best is prayer.Prayer is like meditation for me.When I get upset I ask the Lord for strength.
I would enjoy staying in touch. I find friends and loved ones help out very much.

Hi C.,

You are taking all the right steps with counceling and medication. Don't be afraid to tell your doctor if the medication is not working for you. We are not all made the same! I took me a while to get on the right one. I went to a counselor too. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. I have been off Zoloft for three years now. Eating right and exercise. Get a DVD that you can exercise to at home, you don't need a gym.

God Bless

Hi C., I to have anxiety/depression. I am taking cymbalta, and xanax for when needed .when i feel like i am so stressed out it could be my 2 little girls just arguing and i feel like my anxiety level is through the roof. my doctor tells me to exercise but when you feel the way you do the last thing i want to do is exercise. I know i need to. i feel like i have so much on me my husband works away from home. he comes home every 4-6 wks so i feel like a single mother raising 2 children by my self its tough. i have tried going off meds but then i feel like i get so angry over the littlest things. but what i try to do is just hang out with moms its nice to talk to someone.my doctor says i might want to think about talking to a councelor. so if you feel like you are getting something out of your counceling keep doing that. just remember its a process to find out that you have these disorders and remember it takes time to fix these orders. from this mom to you thats the best thing you can do for your family to make you a better mom and wife but best of all whats best for you good luck sweety. if you ever just want to chat you can e-mail.here is my e-mail ____@____.com thanks L..

HI MY NAME IS J. I SUFFER FROM THE SAME STRESS DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY WHEN IT GETS TO BE TO MUCH FOR ME I WILL JUST SIT DOWNAND LOOK AT OLD PICS AND REMEMBER ALL THE GOOD THINGS IN MY LIFE AND REMIND MYSELF THAT IT WILL ALL GET BETTER ALSO I HAD A REALLY GOOD FRIEND THAT I COULD TALK TO ABOUT ANYTHING THAT ALSO SEEMS TO HELP ME CAUSE WHILE TALKING WE WOULD JOKE ABOUT STUFF AND MAKE THE STRESSFULL THINGS IN MY SEEM FUNNY SO I HOPE MAYBE THIS HELPS YOU A LITTLE CAUSE IT TOOK FOREVER FOR ME TO FIND SOMETHING TO MAKE MYSELF FEEL BETTER ALSO I DONT KNOW IF ITS THE SAME FOR YOU BUT PILLS MADE IT GET ALOT WORST FOR ME BUT IT HAPPEND SLOWLY SO I DIDNT KNOW IT UNTILL MY BOYFRIEND HAD SAID SOMETHING TO ME OK WELL I HOPE I HELPED YOU THANKS AND GET BETTER J.