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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Elle2021 on November 30, 2003, at 8:20:57
It is nearly 6:30 am here, and I have not slept yet. Every time I go lay down in bed, I have terrible anxiety attacks. Most of them are centered around my irrational fear of catching a disease (mainly AIDS). I know that this is just part of my ocd, but it really is frustrating because I am exhausted and getting really cranky. I tried taking an Ativan, but it is not much help. I wish I could call my doctor, but it's Sunday and he won't be there. I wonder if the pharmacy will be open today, maybe I can get a refill on my Klonopin. There's gotta be something that will knock me out, I need the sleep desperately. Ohhh, I'm rambling. Does anyone have any advice/experience with this sort of thing? I have tried everything others have recommended, but the anxiety is still there. I can't relax. Help.
Elle
Posted by Dinah on November 30, 2003, at 10:24:39
In reply to Anxiety Attacks..., posted by Elle2021 on November 30, 2003, at 8:20:57
The only thing that worked for me was a combination of klonopin and relaxation skills.
And distractions. Back when I used to get panic attacks frequently I would get up and do arithmetic - just hard enough to occupy my mind, not hard enough to frustrate me - until the thoughts had receded enough to do other relaxation techniques.
Posted by Dinah on November 30, 2003, at 10:28:33
In reply to Anxiety Attacks..., posted by Elle2021 on November 30, 2003, at 8:20:57
Have you read
or
You might find them useful. I especially found the first one very useful. It also helped for me to personify my OCD as a helpful but overanxious little girl whom I could soothe as I would a real child. It gave the thoughts a bit of distance from myself.
Posted by Elle2021 on November 30, 2003, at 21:34:51
In reply to Re: Anxiety Attacks... » Elle2021, posted by Dinah on November 30, 2003, at 10:24:39
> The only thing that worked for me was a combination of klonopin and relaxation skills.
That has been the only combination that has helped me too.
> And distractions. Back when I used to get panic attacks frequently I would get up and do arithmetic - just hard enough to occupy my mind, not hard enough to frustrate me - until the thoughts had receded enough to do other relaxation techniques.Hmm, arithimetic. I never thought about that. I think I would just end up frustrated because I never was any good at math, especially algebra.
a + n = ugh... :)No, I haven't read either book, but I am going to see if I can find them at the bookstore. Speaking of books, did you ever decide what you were going to do with yours?
Elle
Posted by Dinah on November 30, 2003, at 23:52:08
In reply to Re: Anxiety Attacks..., posted by Elle2021 on November 30, 2003, at 21:34:51
Yeah. The first step is to re-read them and sort them into the ones I think I want to keep and the ones I don't. That should take a couple of years, so I can forget the outcome for a while.
The Stop Obsessing book is really good. And you could probably substitute some other mind occupying task for math. :)
Posted by judy1 on December 1, 2003, at 9:17:22
In reply to Anxiety Attacks..., posted by Elle2021 on November 30, 2003, at 8:20:57
I'm with Dinah- behavioral skills and benzos (there's a ring to that). CBT works well, anything that employs thought stopping. Along with klonopin at night, I focus on something really positive- right now Xmas (for me :-), preparations, toys to buy, my kid's lists, parties, etc. Of course the klonopin relaxes me first so I can focus, I hope you get to fill your script soon.
take care, judy
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