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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 10 of 10. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Roslynn on April 2, 2010, at 16:17:52
Hi, does anyone else get this, a feeling of horror and dread? For me it lasts for several hours. Is it part of depression?
are there any coping mechanisms? I believe it is different from a panic attack which has more physical components.
Thank you for any help.
Roslynn
Posted by floatingbridge on April 2, 2010, at 19:56:02
In reply to A feeling of horror and dread?, posted by Roslynn on April 2, 2010, at 16:17:52
Hi Roslynn--how awful. I wish I could say that I have no idea what you are talking about.
For myself, episodes such as you describe are part of the worst of depression. Horror is the exact word I would use. I gauge the severity of depressive episode by their occurrence.
Somehow they are bundled with anxiety for me. Enough Xanax and I can blunt if not release that state, at least temporarily.
Then, my anxiety has never presented in classic fashion. Freezing is my m.o. Hence my anxiety went undiscovered for years.
I wonder what body sensations accompany your episodes?
Posted by floatingbridge on April 2, 2010, at 20:01:55
In reply to A feeling of horror and dread?, posted by Roslynn on April 2, 2010, at 16:17:52
Distress tolerance techniques (branching from DBT) have helped along with xanax and a confidant.
Hope you get some lasting relief.
Posted by Phillipa on April 3, 2010, at 11:04:53
In reply to p.s A feeling of horror and dread?, posted by floatingbridge on April 2, 2010, at 20:01:55
That's how I wake each morning. Phillipa
Posted by Roslynn on April 3, 2010, at 14:09:46
In reply to Re: A feeling of horror and dread? » Roslynn, posted by floatingbridge on April 2, 2010, at 19:56:02
Hi Floatingbridge,
Great to hear from you and thank you for your reply. How are you doing?
It is a comfort to me that someone else experiences these feelings, although I am really sorry that you go through this as well!
I usually get a tightness in my head and a feeling of derealization (sense of being outside myself) that accompanies the feelings of horror/dread. It is all internal--no pacing or anything. There is a sort of free-floating anxiety. An ativan will work sometimes, but not always, to calm me down. Last night, the feeling woke me up several times from a sound sleep. Usually that doesn't happen. It was awful.
I am not sure if this constitutes agitated depression or what. If/when I have mentioned it to a doctor, they look at me like they have never heard of this.
Thanks again for your reply,
Roslynn> Hi Roslynn--how awful. I wish I could say that I have no idea what you are talking about.
>
> For myself, episodes such as you describe are part of the worst of depression. Horror is the exact word I would use. I gauge the severity of depressive episode by their occurrence.
>
> Somehow they are bundled with anxiety for me. Enough Xanax and I can blunt if not release that state, at least temporarily.
>
> Then, my anxiety has never presented in classic fashion. Freezing is my m.o. Hence my anxiety went undiscovered for years.
>
> I wonder what body sensations accompany your episodes?
Posted by floatingbridge on April 3, 2010, at 17:55:56
In reply to Re: A feeling of horror and dread? » floatingbridge, posted by Roslynn on April 3, 2010, at 14:09:46
Hi Roslynn,
That your docs haven't heard of this surprises me--then again, I went for years before anyone recognized anxiety.... (I'm not dx'ing you--just myself.)
Night time awakenings are common, esp negative feeling ones. When I had them, and for when they might happen again, my doc gave me generic sonata. It's fast acting and wears off in 4 hours. I can take it at 2, or maybe 4 and be up early enough.
My depression is always mixed w/ anxiety. I don't know if it's called agitated. Some docs like to have discrete labels or dx's. I feel like, whatever they may be called, there is an appropriate time to treat symptoms. (BTW, I'm not BP--always a consideration.)
You're not alone in dread :)
hugs
fb> Hi Floatingbridge,
>
> Great to hear from you and thank you for your reply. How are you doing?
>
> It is a comfort to me that someone else experiences these feelings, although I am really sorry that you go through this as well!
>
> I usually get a tightness in my head and a feeling of derealization (sense of being outside myself) that accompanies the feelings of horror/dread. It is all internal--no pacing or anything. There is a sort of free-floating anxiety. An ativan will work sometimes, but not always, to calm me down. Last night, the feeling woke me up several times from a sound sleep. Usually that doesn't happen. It was awful.
>
> I am not sure if this constitutes agitated depression or what. If/when I have mentioned it to a doctor, they look at me like they have never heard of this.
>
> Thanks again for your reply,
> Roslynn
>
Posted by alchemy on April 4, 2010, at 14:45:42
In reply to A feeling of horror and dread?, posted by Roslynn on April 2, 2010, at 16:17:52
Ya, I would say your dr. isn't up to speed or retarded :). Hell, we would make better doctors than him.
It sounds like anxiety-related prob to me. Even feelings of being what I call "zoned" (depressonalization) are anxiety related (even though I may not feel anxiety).
Of course in some cases antidepressents may help. But because it sounds like you have "episodes", you should probably want to have xanax/a benzo on hand, even if it is in addition to an antidepressant.
Even agitation can be helped with xanax, etc. That sounds like a horrible feeling.
If your dr. doesn't feel comfortable prescribing xanax or another benzo, you may need to come up with some back up info.I don't have serious anxiety probs anymore, but my dr. still has me on long-acting xanax and I have a short-acting supply that I have on hand but rarely use. It is also used for my agitation. I have noticed I have a strange/ more depressed feeling about how sad the world & existence are when I forget my xanax.
Posted by Roslynn on April 4, 2010, at 15:55:59
In reply to Re: A feeling of horror and dread?, posted by alchemy on April 4, 2010, at 14:45:42
Hi alchemy,
Thank you for your response.
In the past I have been prescribed Seroquel for and I took it, because I was so unnerved by how I was feeling.
It worked but basically put me to sleep.Now I take ativan, which works a little, but I end up taking too much, which is not good.
thank you for your feedback about this.
Roslynn
> Ya, I would say your dr. isn't up to speed or retarded :). Hell, we would make better doctors than him.
> It sounds like anxiety-related prob to me. Even feelings of being what I call "zoned" (depressonalization) are anxiety related (even though I may not feel anxiety).
> Of course in some cases antidepressents may help. But because it sounds like you have "episodes", you should probably want to have xanax/a benzo on hand, even if it is in addition to an antidepressant.
> Even agitation can be helped with xanax, etc. That sounds like a horrible feeling.
> If your dr. doesn't feel comfortable prescribing xanax or another benzo, you may need to come up with some back up info.
>
> I don't have serious anxiety probs anymore, but my dr. still has me on long-acting xanax and I have a short-acting supply that I have on hand but rarely use. It is also used for my agitation. I have noticed I have a strange/ more depressed feeling about how sad the world & existence are when I forget my xanax.
Posted by Roslynn on April 4, 2010, at 15:56:59
In reply to Re: A feeling of horror and dread? » Roslynn, posted by floatingbridge on April 3, 2010, at 17:55:56
Posted by Abby Cunningham on April 7, 2010, at 15:48:24
In reply to Re: A feeling of horror and dread? » alchemy, posted by Roslynn on April 4, 2010, at 15:55:59
Yes, I get that feeling in the morning when I wake up and I am confidant that it is the psychotropic medication in specific: XANAX which I have been on for +30 years, is the culprit. I have reduced my dosage from 3mg. several years ago to 1.5 mg.
I feel awful upon awakening - scared, depressed, fearful, anxious, anticipating danger, all that stuff, due to the increased cortisol levels (I believe).
As the day progresses I tend to feel better and towards evening am almost feeling "normal", whatever that really is.
I find that my complete dependence on God and His saving grace has made me much closer to wellness than any medication - in fact see the thread Linkadge posted - medication has changed my brain to the point that it probably will never be what it should be and I am so very sorry I ever took XANAX in particular. That was given to me in the 80s when it first came out and I was totally innocent of any information about benzodiazepines. I rue the day I ever took the first one, but that is unchangeable.
My faith is sustaining me and I am focusing on increasing the Lord and decreasing myself, as the Bible teaches, and believe me the Lord and His Word, the Bible, is sufficient - more than to meet my needs. I am physically addicted to xanax but I am not letting it ruin my life any more.
This is the end of the thread.
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