Question:
I have never felt this way in my entire life without a good solid reason.
It is really scary when I can't trace it back to something. I'll start by
saying I quit smoking in July after 16 years by using the patch, and I have
been irritable as hell since then. I have a good job, a great wife and a
wonderful son. Everyday one week, at around
the same time (5:00 pm to 7:00 pm) I would get a tightness around my head
and a hollow feeling in my stomach including nausea. I got it every day
until last Sunday where I actually woke up feeling incredibly sad. All day
long I had this sense of sadness or grief for no apparent reason. It would
come in "waves" like an attack, although it doesn't seem like panic, more
like attacks of grief. I woke up Monday morning, and every morning this
week, at 4:30 am and couldn't get back to sleep. I went to see the Doctor
Monday morning and he asked if I could stick it out for a week or so, I said
yes. Tuesday I called in sick to work and felt sad all day. I called the
doc that morning and said I couldn't stick it out and got some Xanax. I
don't think it is really having much effect because during the day I feel
the grief is always with me, just waiting for me to think about it for it
to surface all the way. The doctor's not sure what
it's related to, but he told me that he is an MD, he will treat the symptoms
and not talk things out with me. Does this sound like the right course of
action or should I seek a therapist? Any help or insight would really be
appreciated.
Answer:
With a good check up, you rule out any medical
reason for your feelings. If you are depressed or anxious, a
psychiatrist is a great place to go. My regular doctor explained that
he is behind on the latest treatments for anxiety and depression because
he is handling everything else too. Beyond his expertise are
specialists, including my pdoc. You could seek out cognitive behavior
therapy to help you deal with your anxiety, too. This seems to work
much better for some people with anxiety instead of just regular
therapy. since your doctor is an MD he had better act like one and do a complete
physical to rule out any organic causes for your symptoms. If none are found a
referal to a psychiatrist and or therapist may be in order that sounds to me like how I started out 2 years ago.I quit
smoking in June. I was stressed out with my husbands back surgery, my
uncle died of cancer and my son mysteriously fainted in gym class and
I had to go through all the appointments and take time off from work,
my boss was a dick about it and when everything went back to normal I
started the waves of anxiety. I felt awful. When I felt those
feelings shopping with my sister 2 christmas's ago- I just had to get
out of the mall, I felt I would pass out or say or do something
embarrassing- I was scared to be there. This never ever happened to
me before.
I went to a Dr that monday and started paxil that night. I didn't
seek out a therapist till after the first of the year. If I had it to
do over - I would definately see the therapist first - weekly. I was
embarrased and ashamed.
The anti-depressants and such are live savers - but this is serious
stuff - a lot of us go round and round trying to find the right one or
combination.
I just feel if I had my therapist then when I was first going through
it - maybe I wouldn't be on meds-not that there is anything wrong with
it. If my Dr had more knowledge in anxiety and panic and depression
that would've been even better.
