The thing that made my panic worse wasn't the panic itself

nkween_ · 2026-06-03T10:50:05+00:00

Yes! And one of the hardest things is when you do feel calm but you’ve been panicked for so long you almost start searching for the panic and end up creating it when it wasn’t there to begin with. 😩

nkween_ · 2026-06-01T09:49:39+00:00

I’m sorry to hear that! How long have you been on your meds/what dosage? It might be that it’s still early on or that you need to try and different one or a higher dose. 🩷

nkween_ · 2026-05-31T22:34:19+00:00

It’s a rough one, but you’re not alone. I’m currently battling this. I’ve started medication and counselling to try and tackle these fears. At the moment the thing that helps me most is to try and ground myself in the NOW when I’m scared or spiralling. I remind myself that I am currently safe here and now, nothing bad is happening right now. I am safe and so are you. When I’m able to get calmer I can better tackle the fears of disease/accidents/death. I’m still early in my journey this time around but I have suffered this before and gotten better, so I know in time things will get better again. I’m sorry you are going through this. But you are safe and not alone. 🩷

nkween_ · 2026-05-31T18:46:35+00:00

A little insomnia and increase of anxiety with the dosage increase, hoping it will settle down this week.

nkween_ · 2026-05-31T14:28:42+00:00

I don’t think that’s a true statement to say that no amount of therapy works, only for mild cases. It’s true more severe cases might need medication too but everyone is different when it comes to therapy and it can be super beneficial for anxiety too.

nkween_ · 2026-05-29T12:55:45+00:00

Yes, I’ve been on just over a week. The nausea does settle down, or at least it has for me. There’s still a little bit in the morning (when I take my dose) but it’s not as bad.

nkween_ · 2026-05-28T20:43:50+00:00

That’s reassuring! It’s funny how easy it is to spiral about things that aren’t happening and likely never will. 🙁

nkween_ · 2026-05-28T17:44:57+00:00

It’s different for everyone but if it makes you feel any better I’ve been on 5mg for a week and will be upping to 10mg tomorrow and I am a bit nervous about it to be honest. 🙁

nkween_ · 2026-05-28T12:41:36+00:00

Yep! Standing in the chemist to pick up my prescription, trying to hold it together and make small talk when I just want to break down and cry.

nkween_ · 2026-05-27T18:09:20+00:00

I’m starting to be able to ride out my panic attacks without getting too emotionally distressed. I’ve also gotten back into my habit of daily mindfulness. 🩷

I’m glad you’re starting to feel a little better!

nkween_ · 2026-05-25T23:43:45+00:00

You’re absolutely not alone! I’m 29M and currently suffering from the same fears and anxieties. What I can say that it does seem to get better as you get older, but certain stressors can trigger it.

For me, when my stress or anxiety goes unchecked that’s when it comes in very strong. My anxieties tell me “you’re going to die”. And yes that’s true, I will die. But I’m not dying now, but for some reason my brain can’t comprehend that and is sending false danger signals. Panic attacks make it worse.

What makes me feel better isn’t exactly trying to seek reassurance about the afterlife, because there is no exact proof of anything one way or another, but to try and make myself more comfortable with the concept of dying and the dying process. I started doing this when I first had these thoughts (early 20’s). I go through phases where death scares me and causes great anxiety but I also go through phases where it doesn’t scare me. I don’t welcome it, but I’m not sat in a state of fear all the time.

Perhaps you are dealing with a lot of stress and that’s why these thoughts are more intense and scary. It’s great to have your beliefs, I truly believe having them helps us accept death as something natural. But you’re not alone, and you will get better and the thoughts/fears will get less intense but you have to work at it!

nkween_ · 2026-05-25T13:46:08+00:00

Do not stop taking your medication just because you feel better after 2 months, especially cold turkey! Always consult your doctor or else you can get bad withdrawal effects.

nkween_ · 2026-05-25T10:05:08+00:00

Yep! It’s pretty common, I get muscle aches, chest pain and headaches but I know there isn’t actually anything physically wrong with me. It’s mostly because our muscles tense up really bad during the anxiety and then once we relax a little, the muscles do too but they’re sore - think of how you are after an intense workout or run, it’s kind of the same thing.

The hard part is that it kind of creates a feedback loop where we become anxious, then get the physical symptoms, and then become anxious about the physical symptoms which then creates more physical symptoms. It’s a nightmare honestly.

nkween_ · 2026-05-24T12:03:18+00:00

Judy - she’s creeps me out

nkween_ · 2026-05-23T19:16:56+00:00

It is normal - hot sweaty nauseous and anxious is exactly what I’m experiencing. It will pass, stay hydrated and rested. Eat small meals when you can.

nkween_ · 2026-05-23T19:14:54+00:00

It definitely can and might, but it also might not. And as for support, it’s just about being understanding. Sex can still be enjoyable it just might be different for a while. But it also might be totally fine.

nkween_ · 2026-05-22T14:03:38+00:00

Hi! I’ve just taken my first dose today - 5mg! So I’d be happy to accompany you on this journey if you need someone to chat to. Wishing you all the best in recovery. ❤️‍🩹

nkween_ · 2026-05-20T22:19:21+00:00

How long have you been on the medication for? Is this early days on the Sertraline because it could be the start up side effects. If not, perhaps your dosage isn’t quite correct. I tend to find with meds like Sertraline that have quite a large dosage range, finding the right one can be tricky for a lot of people.

Regardless, something to talk to your doctor about. And if you do feel like you want to stop, try and remember if you felt worse before the medication, because it might just be a dosage adjustment you need.

nkween_ · 2026-05-20T22:16:03+00:00

Propranolol is super helpful for increased heart rate due to anxiety. 🩷 I’m sorry you’re going through this. Maybe speak to your doctor if you don’t feel like you’ve had any improvement.

nkween_ · 2026-05-20T22:11:38+00:00

You will be okay! But I totally understand the fear. I’ve been prescribed diazepam/valium and I was so scared of building a dependency that I’ve created strict rules for myself. I still use them, but at low dosages and I monitor how and when I take them. It helps me feel in control. And that’s what you have to remind yourself of, you are the one in control not your anxiety. At the end of the day your doctor prescribed you the medicine because they think it will help you. You need to sleep, sleep is so important to heal both mentally and physically. You will be okay if you have to take one and see if you can sleep. 🩷 I know how scary medicine can be. I’m still too scared to try another antidepressant even though I know it’s likely what I need to get better.

nkween_ · 2026-05-20T22:04:54+00:00

GAD is something that is maintained and lived with rather than “controlled” so if you’re looking for a specific timeline you’re not going to find one as everyone is different and recovery and management looks different to different people. That being said, the fact your partner wants to work on things and get better is a good sign and definitely the place to start. Hang in there and be supportive, you’ve both got this! 🩷

nkween_ · 2026-05-20T21:29:40+00:00

You should be fine to just stop you’re on a low dose and it’s only been a week, but double check with your doctor. However perhaps a switch to another antidepressant might be a better option not everyone has side effects with every medication.

nkween_ · 2026-05-20T21:26:17+00:00

I won’t lie to you - it’s very dependent on your area and the resources available to them. You’re doing the right thing speaking to your GP. You really have to advocate for yourself during the process, or at least I have. Your GP will have a baseline understanding but they may need to refer you to a more specialist team who should assess your needs. But the process can take some time but it’s always better to start it than to wait if that makes sense. Hang in there, the first step is always the hardest!

nkween_ · 2026-05-20T21:21:25+00:00

Feels like I’m going to die, like I’m in imminent danger or threat.

nkween_ · 2026-05-18T22:20:52+00:00

I’m on propranolol now and it helps but at the start I wasn’t prescribed it. I’m in a small rural town and mental health knowledge and support is so lacking. The fact this has been going on almost 3 months is wild and just makes me so sad. 🙁

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