theshyone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,411 
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Post by theshyone on Jan 23, 2024 13:30:01 GMT
Have you conquered extreme anxiety / paranoia? How did you do it?
I started having both after the brain injury I sustained during cardiac arrests back in 2012. It took time, meditation, nature, walks, Journalling, and time. Counselling just made it worse. I tried numerous times.
‘’in May 2023 my heart acted up on me again, and I incurred more brain injury from lack of oxygen during numerous arrhythmias and shocks from my defibrillator. I was in cardiac icu for ten days and cardiac ward for another ten. I was lied to, insulted, demeaned and survived.
I underwent another major surgery and recuperation.
i am endure so much anxiety. So much mistrust (paranoia).
‘’none of the stuff that used to calm me works, now the only thing that can break the cycle is popcycles.
now there is talk about doing rehab through admitted care. The thought terrifies me. And it’s not till late spring at the earliest. It’ll be e at around the one year mark. I don’t trust the medical system, I don’t trust my body, I don’t trust my mind. What’s real what’s not. It’s so scary all the time.
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Post by jeremysgirl on Jan 23, 2024 15:08:01 GMT
Do any anti-psychotic medications help you? Because I would start there.
I have schizo-affective bipolar 1 and paranoia is a very real thing for me. It's not constant. And medication keeps me level enough to rationalize with myself, most of the time. But I have ruminating thoughts in a myriad of ways, and paranoia is one of the ways I do. I have learned techniques in therapy to help me talk myself down. It requires persistence. But you can talk yourself down. Last resort if I feel like I'm having a lot of anxiety and I can't tell if I'm blowing something nonsensical up is to have my husband weigh in. Now, I'm not saying, he specifically talks me down, but he will say something like, "no, the chances of X happening are very slim. I think your brain is running away with you." And I trust him. So if he thinks that my fears are misguided, I trust that his judgement is most likely right. And he reassures me that even if the worst does happen, he will be there to help me deal with it. It helps me relax.
So I would start with medication. Then therapy to specifically learn how to talk yourself down. And then find someone you trust who will be caring and empathetic when you are having an episode. Be careful who you choose.
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Post by peasapie on Jan 23, 2024 15:25:01 GMT
What is popcycles?
You’ve been through so much. I feel great empathy for you.
I agree about ensuring you’re seeing a very good therapist who specializes in medications. Your situation is unique and the best results will be from someone who can really fine tune the approach.
Meanwhile, having an Orson you can trust to talk you down In deciding what is a true concern or not in life would be a comfort. I’m that person for some and am blessed to have that kind of person for myself as well.
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pantsonfire
Pearl Clutcher
Take a step back, evaluate what is important, and enjoy your life with those who you love.
Posts: 4,762
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Post by pantsonfire on Jan 23, 2024 15:25:58 GMT
I second jeremysgirlDd started medication then after she was on her stable dose began therapies. That really is the best because your mind and body are in a state of being able to receive the information and work on the small goals. It becomes like second nature for some. Dd was lucky enough to be able to be weaned off 1 med and had to medically come off 2 others due to her POTS/Dysautonomia. But those skills she learned in years of therapy (7 total non stop, addition 4 years with breaks) stuck with her and she has been able to deal with what life throws her. I hope you find what works for you and you feel better mentally and physically very soon. Hugs to you. |
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Post by quinlove on Jan 23, 2024 18:33:14 GMT
(((( theshyone )))) sending gentle love to you. 🩷
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Post by malibou on Jan 23, 2024 18:58:37 GMT
I so wish I had an answer that would fix everything. I am sorry you are going thru this. I think that what jeremysgirl and pantsonfire said makes a load of sense. |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jan 23, 2024 20:00:29 GMT
Have you tried any therapies specifically targeting PTSD which it very much sounds like you're experiencing, EMDR etc? If you haven't, you might look for a somatic therapy specializing in PTSD to see if that can help you with the trauma you've experienced. I am so sorry for all you're going through.
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Post by calgaryscrapper on Jan 24, 2024 3:29:54 GMT
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Post by dewryce on Jan 24, 2024 3:44:39 GMT
I am so sorry for everything you have gone through, it’s not bad enough to be having such a medical crisis but to be treated poorly during it is horrific. I agree that it sounds like it could be PTSD related. And a doctor specializing in that could verify and help you with treatment. I’ve had tons of what I call my crazy doctors, they’re not all good. And with counseling, a great fit is so important, I hope you don’t give up that avenue as the right counselor can be priceless. I also agree that medication might be warranted here, they’ll likely consider Anti-psychotic and/or anti-anxiety. I take a medication off-label for anti-anxiety, it’s Propanalol and helps me with some of the physical symptoms of anxiety which enables me to stop the snowball effect and do some of my self talk that I can’t when my body is anxious. It was also prescribed for me to help with the akethesia I get with all anti-psychotics and mood stabilizers. But, if a doctor prescribes this for you, make sure and check with your cardiac doctor first as it’s intended to treat high blood pressure and other heart related issues. This book helped my sister with her trauma/PTSD, it was recommended by her doctor. |
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,636
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Post by valincal on Jan 24, 2024 5:34:01 GMT
That’s an awful lot to go through and it’s understandable that you have such worrisome thoughts. I hope you can get some help and are feeling better very soon. Big hugs.
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mamallama
Full Member
Posts: 138
Sept 14, 2018 7:30:33 GMT
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Post by mamallama on Jan 24, 2024 7:40:33 GMT
I think that until you have lived with constant overwhelming anxiety you really don’t know how debilitating it is. Unfortunately I have lived through it. I don’t have experience with paranoia but the anxiety alone is debilitating. I was able to get control of my anxiety when I was diagnosed ADHD. Turns out untreated ADHD can cause nonstop anxiety. Thankfully adhd meds helped so much.
Here are some other things that I have heard have helped people.
EMDR
Ketamine treatments
Magnesium (usually in conjunction with something though)
I have read about trials of magic mushrooms and how they can give people relief for a few months. And I have heard that some people are microdosing with good results. In the US this is illegal so I am not recommending it if you live here. But if you’re in another country it may be something to look into.
Meds and therapy.
Like others have said I think meds first are important but I also get that you’re distrustful of the medical community. Sounds like with good reason. If you have someone you trust that can go to appointments with you and advocate, that would be ideal.
I’m so sorry you’re struggling like this. I wish I could help.
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theshyone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,411
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Post by theshyone on Jan 24, 2024 10:23:25 GMT
They are, the hospital taught me to get my mind to concentrate on something else, the cold, the crunch, the hydration all help calm. |
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theshyone
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,411
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Post by theshyone on Jan 24, 2024 10:35:03 GMT
I’m on a beta blocker for my heart as it is, that is supposed to have a off label side effect. It’s nadalol. The antidepressant I was on was immediately removed when I had my heart event in May. Very few drugs in the categories of antidepressants, mood stabilizers are cleared to be taken when you have congenital long qt syndrome. They almost all prolong the qt more. Right now my Electrophysiologist and GP are both unwilling to diagnose meds. It’s a vicious circle. I think menopause drug would help but they too aren’t allowed, it’s so frustrating.
EMDR did not work for me in the past, I couldn’t concentrate. There was one type with magnets that was suggested but I couldn’t do with my ICD. The thought is once I get hospitalized that Neuro rehabilitation and occupational health and cardiac rehabilitation will all help to give me confidence which may help the situation, but my terror of the medical field as a whole works at cross purposes.
Popcycles are frozen treats, the hospital used them similiar to ice chips, it gets the brain concentrating on something else.
My daughter and son do as much as they can, both having their own lives.
Thanks for all the kind words, knowing it’s not just me is helpful.
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