The Psychiatric Part of All this
#114095 - 10/19/04 12:38 PM
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I just hit the psychiatric services at my 'ol HMO and sat down with a counselor. He started asking me questions and it turned into a tearful mess. But he says that my fear is rational but that I may be aggravating my symptoms by going through an anxiety/agoraphobic mentality. He admits that he is no expert on IBS but from talking to me, he clearly sees that I have anxiety to work out. He has asked me to join a group focusing on fobias/anxiety/panic disorders.
What do you all think about this?
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I agree with him. I certainly ahve gotten way better since I started my AD. it's helped with whatever surplus anxiety I had.
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i think it's a good idea to join a group....it can't hurt and you may end up feeling way better in the long run!! 
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Hey--The same thing happened to me 3 months ago. Had a major freak out, and called my doc, who told me call my HMO. It was cathartic, me weeping and sniffling that I'm always anxious, always tense. Nothing came of the reference. I never got to see a specialist. They clowned around with giving me a shrink, and I got fed up. Instead I joined the boards here. (And I quit caffiene, it really helped with the anxiety, if you can believe that.)
And you know? It's like a burdon has been lifted off my chest! The compassion here is really refreshing. I don't have to hide my illness anymore. They've all been there! Plus, I've had the opportunity to share my point of view, and even offer advice!
My best friend noticed I was doing better and recently mentioned it to me. It's the first time someoone has told me it looks like I'm doing *better*. I know it's because I've found my voice here. 
Please take care of yourself. Post here a while and let me know what you think. There are people here who've gotten a lot of help from anti-depressants. Maybe they can help you.
Good to have you here!! All my best,
~nelly~
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Yep, my AD and this board have been my Psychiatric team. I think together we have made a major break through!
This is not to say that you should not join a group, that's a decision only you can make.
Hang out with us, there's a lot to learn from these boards.
Good luck.
Lene
--------------------
God never promised life would be easy, but he did promise to provide a way out!
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Holy Mackerel was that fast! That came quicker than an IBS attack! LOL I must admit that I do freak myself out. I am a teacher and I stare at the clock all day long and say to myself, "Oh My! Another hour until this period ends!" Then I start to fixate on it and my stomach starts to feel weird. Usually nothing ever happens but I've had to leave my class a couple of times and that thought lingers in my mind CONSTANTLY! My D doesn't come along that often. And I've never had an accident but I have this constant fear. Especially in traffic, lines and on airplanes. As soon as I start to think about it, I start to freak out a bit. I'm on vacation right now but I go back to work tomorrow. Uh oh! I did quit drinking coffee and that has me worried as well. That was a quick way to empty myself before work but now that I don't have that, I have to figure out how to empty the old tum tum before I get to class. Good luck to me!
Lots of thanks everybody,
Matt
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This afternoon I had a job interview. I haven't had a IBS attack for a long time, but I was careful eating yesterday. When I woke up this morning I had a major attack of D- I ended up taking Immodium to stop it ( I thought it would never stop). It was starting to get me worried that I may have to miss the interview. Finally, it subsided to the point that I could head out. When I got there my body was taunting me (do I have to go? Yes? No? Maybe?) over and over, I was about to leave when I was called back to interview. During the interview my stomach was acting up, but it was a fairly brief interview & it went well. As I began to drive away, a "miracle" happened--my stomach felt completely fine: no gas, no urgency, nothing! This always happens & it makes me mad. I dropped out of school for the semester since I was having problems during class. The last day I went was awful, but again, when I left the registrar's office and headed to my car I "magically" felt better. 
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I had the same problem - they couldn't say for sure that my IBS was caused by anxiety, but long-standing anxiety disorders (since I was a kid!) definitely weren't helping any. I was put on Lexapro (anti-anxiety/antidepressant) and I can't even BELIEVE how much better I feel. I'm not cured, but pretty darn close!
I can't exactly speak for the effectiveness of therapy vs. meds. I was seeing a therapist for my anxiety disorders for a couple months, and really didn't see any improvement until I went on the Lexapro. Then again, a friend who is a psychologist herself, upon hearing my experiences with my therapist, says that she was a pretty lousy therapist, so maybe that was the problem.
Give it a try - it could really help!
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I am thinking about starting Lexapro. I have anxiety problems along with ocd. What side effects did you notice? How much are you taking? How long did it take you to feel some positive effects? Thanks in advance.
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I so agree
#114129 - 10/19/04 02:16 PM
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Linz
Reged: 09/01/03
Posts: 8242
Loc: England
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Once I realsied I was letting anxiety make me go to the loo even more than I needed to, I got so much more control. If you need help with this, get it.
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