u/Practical_Coat_7351

Hello! I have panic attacks where I scratch myself or sh in other ways to try and ground myself.

About 4 years ago I saw I psychiatrist for the first time and started on sertraline and klonopin (as needed) because I was very unstable in my crowded college dorm. I think if I were to have been properly warned about ssri discontinuation I would have steered clear. I’m not sure that ssris truly made my anxiety better because I definitely still had panic attacks.

About 2 years ago I wanted off and started tapering (under supervision with NP). I failed miserably as I could not tolerate the brain zaps and new anxiety. My NP then put me on Paxil “because you can be on a lower dosage” which sounds like stupid reasoning because even though it was 12.5mg compared to 150mg of sertraline, it was doing the same thing?

I move again and start a big girl job and decide I really really want to be done and know what to expect. Right? Wrong. I tapered off Paxil with Prozac in the span of about a month.

It’s been about 3 weeks since my last dose and I’m experiencing the brain zaps, dizziness, and nausea like last time. Additionally, and most frustrating, my panic attacks are off the charts. I’m having at least one a day which means my chest, neck, and arms have been littered with scratches and scabs for weeks. Basically any time I experience normal adrenaline (walking quickly, an unexpected surprise, work stress) my body fully overreacts and I panic. I’ve definitely been leaning on the klonopin to get through my work days but I don’t like that. On top of that, I’ve been actually depressed which I don’t think I really was before, I’m having cycles or crying and intense, irrational thoughts (ie. I should just quit my job because I can’t handle basic stress, I’m worthless, etc).

Obviously this is not ideal. I see my psychiatrist tomorrow and I’ve drafted up some plans. I trust him but I also really would like some other professional or patient opinions.

I’ve tried beta blockers and clonidine in the past and I don’t think it helped then but I’m willing to give it a try now.

I’ve also researched the liquid hyperbolic taper where you decrease 10% for months. Has anyone had success with this? I’m scared to start from square one and just take pills all over again, but a plan where I am micro tapering sounds like it might work?

I feel pretty against starting back up at my original dose or trying a different ssri because my symptoms are new, leading me to believe it is withdrawal and not relapse.

Honestly any advice is welcome and I deeply appreciate any comments 🙏

Hello! I have panic attacks where I scratch myself or sh in other ways to try and ground myself.

About 4 years ago I saw I psychiatrist for the first time and started on sertraline and klonopin (as needed) because I was very unstable in my crowded college dorm. I think if I were to have been properly warned about ssri discontinuation I would have steered clear. I’m not sure that ssris truly made my anxiety better because I definitely still had panic attacks.

About 2 years ago I wanted off and started tapering (under supervision with NP). I failed miserably as I could not tolerate the brain zaps and new anxiety. My NP then put me on Paxil “because you can be on a lower dosage” which sounds like stupid reasoning because even though it was 12.5mg compared to 150mg of sertraline, it was doing the same thing?

I move again and start a big girl job and decide I really really want to be done and know what to expect. Right? Wrong. I tapered off Paxil with Prozac in the span of about a month.

It’s been about 3 weeks since my last dose and I’m experiencing the brain zaps, dizziness, and nausea like last time. Additionally, and most frustrating, my panic attacks are off the charts. I’m having at least one a day which means my chest, neck, and arms have been littered with scratches and scabs for weeks. Basically any time I experience normal adrenaline (walking quickly, an unexpected surprise, work stress) my body fully overreacts and I panic. I’ve definitely been leaning on the klonopin to get through my work days but I don’t like that. On top of that, I’ve been actually depressed which I don’t think I really was before, I’m having cycles or crying and intense, irrational thoughts (ie. I should just quit my job because I can’t handle basic stress, I’m worthless, etc).

Obviously this is not ideal. I see my psychiatrist tomorrow and I’ve drafted up some plans. I trust him but I also really would like some other professional or patient opinions.

I’ve tried beta blockers and clonidine in the past and I don’t think it helped then but I’m willing to give it a try now.

I’ve also researched the liquid hyperbolic taper where you decrease 10% for months. Has anyone had success with this? I’m scared to start from square one and just take pills all over again, but a plan where I am micro tapering sounds like it might work?

I feel pretty against starting back up at my original dose or trying a different ssri because my symptoms are new, leading me to believe it is withdrawal and not relapse.

Honestly any advice is welcome and I deeply appreciate any comments 🙏

TW: SH

Hello, I (23F) have been dealing with panic attacks since I was probably 11 or 12. I quickly developed a coping mechanism that has somehow shocked every therapist and psychiatrist I’ve worked with. I started by pinching and scratching my forearm, then the skin felt too thick so I moved to my neck which then also started not helping so I’ve recently been scratching my chest. I almost always draw blood and it often scars. I’ve also been known to kick my shins into anything available while panicking: outdoor bike racks, sinks, my stainless steel water bottle. I feel like a fucking freak when this happens. I say subconscious with a question mark because it is an immediate reaction to panic attacks but I’m also doing it for the purpose of grounding myself so it’s only kinda subconscious. I often won’t realize the damage I’ve done until after I’ve calmed down.

Anyways, I’ve started my first big girl job and moved to a new city so I’ve had a lot of panic but overall I’m doing okay. I’m tapering off my ssris (story for another time) but I’m really just wondering does anyone else engage in this behavior?? Was there anything you do to curb it some? I’ve tried sensory stickers and “ouchie” fidgets but I still break skin.

Anxiety can be really isolating and I guess I’m just wondering if there are any other symptoms siblings out there :/ for better or for worse

Hello I am tapering off Paxil (FML). I tapered off sertraline to get on Paxil and that withdrawal was hell, but least I kinda know what I’m getting into. My psychiatrist has me cross tapering with Prozac to help the withdrawal. My question though is does anyone have any symptom management advice? I have a constant headache/dizziness, nausea, and brain zaps. I want to just lay in a dark room all day but I have to work obviously. Did anyone have any luck managing their physical symptoms of withdrawal? It just sucks and is really scary so any advice welcome.

Hello. I recently moved back into an apartment in a new city and started a job. I work 10 hour days and I arranged for a dog walking service to walk and play with my dog twice a day while I’m gone. My dog barked while I was gone the first couple days and my neighbor complained. I was mortified and ended up leaving her out of her crate so she wasn’t confined, trying ultrasonic devices, buying pet cams to monitor her barking, leaving treat distractions, white noise, etc. Everything was going alright but the past two days she has reverted to her old ways. She barks ALL DAY. I’m so embarrassed and frustrated. She can’t go to doggie day care because they don’t have availability and she’s not a fan of other dogs in her space. I have no idea what to do and I’m scared I’ll get evicted and I just generally feel bad for disrupting the peace. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Hello, I just moved to the Atlanta area. I’ve been seeing a psychiatrist in Ohio and then in Tennessee for 4 years now. I have severe panic attacks where I self injure and have been prescribed 1mg klonopin as needed (not every day). I went to my first appointment in Atlanta and they kinda made me feel terrible about it. They have practice policies regarding benzos and refilled my prescription but also really pressured me to start a taper soon. The NP made me feel like I was setting her up to get in trouble with the overseeing physician just by telling her my prescription history. I tried to be very flexible while still advocating for myself. I understand there are different risks and controversy surrounding the topic but the appointment freaked me out. I’m not sure if I should look for a second opinion without seeming like I’m doctor shopping but at the same time, I’m kinda terrified of being in my own body without a safety net. Most the time the knowledge that I can take medicine and that my medicine is IN MY CONTROL is enough for me to work through my panic attacks. I also take 12.5 ER Paxil and Zofran for anxiety related nausea. I’m not sure the ssri works that well, but that’s a topic for another day. Am I sounding crazy?

Hello! I just moved to an apartment behind Piedmont Hospital. I’ve been looking for places to recycle in the Midtown area and I can’t really find anything. Does anyone have any recommendations? I hate to throw everything away :(

Hi everyone it’s my first time posting here. I recently moved to a new state and had to find a new provider. I haven’t had my appointment yet but I have been prescribed 1mg klonopin (for almost 3 years now) and 12.5 Paxil ER (~1.5years, I switched from sertraline to Paxil after I tried tapering off and had horrible side effects about 1.5years ago). My psychiatrist also prescribed zofran for anxiety nausea which I thought was a cool idea.

Here is what I’m stressing so bad about: 1. I want off the ssri. I still have panic attacks, I have no libido, and I’ve been having brain zaps even though I take my medication at the same time every single day. When I tapered off sertraline I was absolutely miserable, which is why I got put on Paxil instead of riding it out. My psychiatrist mentioned Prozac as a means of tapering off the next time I try.

2. I know klonopin is controlled and dangerous long term. So why does it have to be the only effective drug?? It makes me feel so hopeless that the only effective solution makes me feel like a drug addict. I want to keep taking the medication but I’m scared my new provider will be hesitant about prescribing it.

I know everyone experiences anxiety differently. For me panic attacks are sudden or triggered and involve reactions like dry heaving, running out of the room or just away, scratching my skin clean off my neck and chest, SH in any other way to “refocus” myself. I would consider that to be pretty severe anxiety but idk.

I guess my questions are have you had positive experiences switching providers? Any Paxil tapering success stories or general advice? Do you feel like your ssri works? Are there medications besides ssris that manage your anxiety symptoms?

Sorry for the long post and the stressing. Hopefully I posted this in the right place!!