re: Health related anxiety

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I couldnt care less what happens to me.

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Why do you not care what happens to yourself? My dad is like this (or at least claims he doesn’t care).

I've been through this. In my 20's I was having severe panic attacks every day to the point I couldn't function anymore. Went to the ER like 3 times.

Long story short, I went to see a psychiatrist and got on an SSRI. He gave me a benzo script to use in emergencies. Benzos will knock it out BUT if you are prone to being an addict it might not be the best option (I have no addictive tendencies and am fine taking a benzo every now and then. The people who talk about "benzo hell" and not being able to stop are mostly drug addicts, with many of them not even using them legally - they are buying them off the street).

SSRIs don't just work for depression but are pretty effective with anxiety as well. Their downside is they take around a month to start working.

After getting on meds and going to therapy for a few months I haven't had any real anxiety in over a decade.

Everyday anxiety is normal, but panic disorder is on a whole other level. My panic attacks could last an hour or so and were pure hell. It needs intervention.

EDIT: Who bumped this thread from 2016?

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Getting married in a few months and I am a wreck

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Screw Lexapro, you need to go to individual therapy, now. NOW. NOW. NOW. If the anxiety isn't from your job, or your existing family, or wedding planning, oof. That's not good.

I had misgivings before marriage, and the only thing that keeps me from regretting the 10+ year marriage is the kids that I can't see anymore. Your instincts are telling you something. Figure it out. SSRIs will not fix the problem. You're just setting yourself up for a crappy marriage and a divorce in a few years, unless you make enough money she'll just fake it to keep dropping money on mimosa Thursdays, etc.

Please, talk to someone *now.* Drugs aren't the answer, there's something else going on.

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EDIT: Who bumped this thread from 2016?

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That would be me. I definitely want as low of intervention as possible. Screw big pharma

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Honestly reading this thread has helped a lot knowing that I'm not totally crazy and that other people have had the same experiences and weren't dying.

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Knowing you’re not the only crazy one out there with the issue is honestly the best medicine. My dad passed away suddenly when I was in my early 20’s and I quickly spiraled out of control with bad panic attacks. It went as far as a dr wanting to prescribe me Xanax, but I honestly wanted no part of it. What ended up bringing me out was a couple grief counseling sessions and reading books written by others with the same condition. I still struggle with it from time to time, but I’ve mostly taught myself how to deal with it. Staying off the internet and googling symptoms is the biggest thing to avoid if you want to stay sane.

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My anxiety is because I constantly think I have a deadly disease.

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You need to at least understand this better before you get married.

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My fiancé is basically the only thing getting me through these visits and tests

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Is that fair to her? Is she equipped for that? Women of many types tend to like to absorb trauma so they can "help."

The wedding is never going to be the biggest even of your life. It's when your newborn grabs your finger in the delivery room and you say, "buh bye" to your wife to follow the baby into the other room, while the wife is getting sewn up.

I'm wildly guessing you didn't ask 250 people to go rent tuxes for a black tie wedding. You're in trouble. I'm not saying whose fault it is, but I am leaving breadcrumbs. That's a huge wedding.

If it's money based, say it. With 250, I'm guessing at least $50k. That's stressful AF. But you have to raise the issue honestly. That *is* expressly the stress of being married. I won't ask what the honeymoon is going to cost, but I'm going to bet it's not cheap.

I'm not trying to be an a-hole, but she's "getting you through it," in order to get what she wants, and who she wants there.

On top of whatever health issue you have (I don't know either of you, so not making judgements,) it feels like you're being taken advantage of. Scheduling, attendance lists, etc. I feel like you think your only way out is SSRIs, but the real way out is confrontation with your fiancé. I have -0- idea about your fictious disease, but I don't feel that's the problem. It's your lack of control over massive issues.

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Staying off the internet and googling symptoms is the biggest thing to avoid if you want to stay sane.

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110%.

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Not the stress of being married. It’s planning the biggest event of my life and worrying if I’ll get horrible news right before.

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I feel you man. This anxiety tries to steal joy and keep you from living. It’s horrible. But like one poster said, anxiety breeds anxiety. Find the root cause of it and get free. Stop letting it pressure your relationships and your joy.

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It’s important to address these issues now at the core and develop habits to quickly put down these thoughts when they inevitably present themselves throughout life. You have to treat your anxiety man! Don’t keep feeding it. Rip it from the latch it has on you.

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I am. Already seeing a therapist and trying a little medication to keep it locked down. The root of my anxiety truly is health. Work and my relationship are golden. The wedding is simply naturally stressful. Work has its stresses but there’s no doubts or frustrations about either of them.

Worrying about my health is what triggers the panic and gives me the most anxiety. Has since I was little. I remember having a breakdown on vacation when I was like 11 because I was convinced I had ALS.

Find the root cause of the stress and eliminate it. Divorce was a blessing in disguise for me.