Interviews: Inside Anxiety

"Jenna", a 37 year old female who suffered from prescription drug addiction, stress, anxiety, and malnutrition.

2006-05-14T15:48:00.000-07:00

This week we interviewed "Jenna", a 37 year old female who suffered from prescription drug addiction, stress, anxiety, and malnutrition. Her symptoms began approximately 11 years ago when she sought medical treatment for severe headaches and was prescribed Fioricet with Codeine. It was not long before she began taking the medication for stress and anxiety. She also learned that if she did not eat while taking the Fioricet, that the medication seemed to work better and the effect lasted longer.

Within several years of taking the Fioricet, she suffered from malnutrition; and other side effects of the drug included uncontrollable anger and anxiety and even occasional "black outs". In 2000, due to the side effects, she was taken off the Fioricet and prescribed Vicodin. This medication seemed to work for approximately one year until she slowly increased the dosage. At one point, she found herself taking 20 extra strength Vicodin per day.

In July of 2003, she realized the drug addiction had taken over her life and she was no longer able to control most aspects of everyday living. Fearing for her life, a family member recommended she seek treatment at a local Methadone Clinic and she took their advice. Fortunately, for"Jenna" this was the start of her recovery process.

The Methadone treatment was designed to be a gradual process and if dosages are decreased too fast, the side effects range from excessive sleepiness to extreme exhaustion and lack of appetite. In May of 2005, "Jenna" was admitted to the hospital for her drug addiction and was relieved when she was able to leave the hospital in just 2 days free of all prescribed medication. Within a few months after her treatment, she also learned that a medical condition she had been plagued with during her drug addiction had suddenly corrected itself.

Fortunately for "Jenna", she is finally able to experience a drug-free existence and she and her family could not be happier.

"Sandy," a 40 year old female suffering from anxiety attacks and depression.

2006-05-07T13:23:00.000-07:00

Her symptoms began approximately ten years ago when her parents divorced and her mother came to live with her family on a permanent basis. Since "Sandy" held a full-time job, it was believed her mother would be able to assist in the care of their nine year old daughter and take over some of the household chores. It seemed like an ideal arrangement for everyone concerned. However, soon there were many disagreements between the mother and daughter and "sandy" began to receive numerous phone calls at work on a daily basis. It was at this time she began developing severe headaches and anxiety attacks.

"Sandy" did seek medical treatment from her family doctor and was prescribed a pain reliever containing Codeine for her frequent headaches and Lithium, the drug of choice at that time to treat depression. Unfortunately, "sandy" found it more difficult to concentrate at work when taking the Lithium. She found herself skipping dosages; and at several points, stopped taking the medication altogether. This created a "roller coaster" effect emotionally and she was hospitalized on several occasions to stabilize her condition.

Anti-anxiety drugs are used to alleviate persistent feelings of nervousness and tension caused by stress or other psychological problems. But they cannot resolve the causes. This was the case with "Sandy" in that she had failed to seek counseling in dealing with the issues created with her mother's arrival; and it wasn't until she sought psychotherapy that she was able to resolve most of the problems causing her symptoms and reduce her medication to an occasional Ativan.

Ativan is the brand name for Lorazepam which belongs to a group of drugs known as benzodiazepines. Lorazepam is used to treat anxiety and insomnia and is also used for anxiety associated with depression. This drug is less likely than some of the other benzodiazepines to accumulate in the body but can become habit-forming if taken regularly over a long period. Its effects may also diminish with time so treatment should be reviewed with your physician on a monthly basis. Although rare, possible adverse side effects can include confusion, headache, nausea and rash and should be discussed with your physician in all cases.

"Jean" - 64 year old female suffering from Anxiety Attacks, Depression & Cardiac Problems

2006-04-30T12:25:00.000-07:00

This week we interviewed "Jean", who is a 64 year old female suffering from anxiety attacks, depression, and cardiac problems. Most of her symptoms began approximately 23years ago when her husband died suddenly from a heart attack at the age of 39 and leaving her to raise their 3 children alone.

"Jean" had not been gainfully employed since her marriage at the age of 19. The family had also been struggling financially since her husband opened his small antique business several years prior to his death. Money problems loomed immediately. Sleepless nights and anxiety attacks, brought her to her family doctor who prescribed Lithium.

With no recent work history, she found it impossible to find employment. She struggled to keep food on the table and was soon forced to sell their home and move into a rental house nearby. Monies from the sale of the house were soon depleted and "jean" found the care of her sons and mounting bills an impossible challenge. She began experiencing migraines and more frequent anxiety attacks. It was at this time, her doctor prescribed Vicodin. Her symptoms seemed to stabilize and she even entered into a new relationship with an older man which seemed to be just what the young widow needed. Her companion was a financially successful entrepreneur and provided guidance and stability for her and the children.

It was not long, however, before "Jean" realized her significant other could be very demanding and controlling. She found herself relying more heavily on Vicodin to cope or perhaps to escape; and soon found herself addicted to Vicodin and anorexic. She was admitted numerous times to emergency rooms for anxiety attacks; and over the years, her physical cardiac problems were overlooked as she was always diagnosed with anxiety attacks.

At the age of 50, one young emergency room doctor did not believe that her hospital visit was entirely related to a panic attack and ordered a cardiac stress test. "Jean" suffered a mild heart attack during the procedure and the end result was triple by-pass surgery.

She still suffers from her cardiac condition and for the past several years, maintains that she has sustained mental and physical abuse from her long-time companion. Some days her depression is so bad she remains bedridden. She also is still experiencing guilt since the death of her oldest son at the age of 40. She has allowed herself to be controlled by her companion and had not seen her son for some time before his death due to a disagreement between her son and this companion.

Often, life deals us a blow, such as the death of a loved one, which we can find ourselves unable to cope with on our own. This is the time we need to seek professional care. It is also important that we do not increase the dosage to any prescribed medication without the doctors approval.

This week we interviewed "Dan" who is a 54 year old male suffering from anxiety attacks, Depression, and Neuropathy.

2006-04-23T07:31:00.000-07:00

He presently is confined to a nursing and rehabilitation facility and does not foresee being released in the near future, if at all.

His anxiety symptoms began approximately 14 years ago when his drivers license was revoked due to an alcohol-related automobile accident. Fortunately for "Dan", this accident involved only his vehicle and he sustained no serious injuries. However, he was found guilty of DUI and subsequently lost his job as realtor since his conviction prohibited him from driving. It was at this time he began experiencing anxiety attacks on a daily basis and he decided to seek medical assistance. Dan was prescribed Lithium. This medication appeared to work for a short period of time as he was able to return to the work force, but to his dismay, not in the real estate field which he had enjoyed.

Unable to drive, he found it difficult to maintain a job and went from a series of low-income positions which eventually resulted in financial problems. He became too depressed and anxious to work and took the advice of family and friends who recommended he see a psychiatrist. He was prescribed Prozac for his depression; but when even high dosages did not alleviate his symptoms, he was given Zoloft.

His once hearty appetite began to wane and he turned to alcohol to help him "cope with his problems". As we now know, alcohol should be taken in moderation or not at all when using anti-depressants. It was not long before he was hospitalized with malnutrition, alcohol and drug abuse. It was also discovered that he was suffering from a form of Neuropathy.

His parents, who lived out of state, were informed of his severe physical and mental condition and upon arriving in town, were appalled at his living conditions and decided he was no longer capable of caring for himself. It was at this time, they discarded all his furniture and most of his personal belongings from his rented home. He was forced into a nursing and rehabilitation facility upon his release from the hospital and this is where he has remained for the past seven years.

Due to his extended stay in the nursing facility, most of his friends no longer visit him. His father passed away 4 years ago and his mother re-located to California to be closer to his sister. "Dan" feels isolated and depressed and does not know if he will ever return to society but admits he now finds the confines of the rehabilitation center a safe haven.

Had "Dan" taken a more active role in his care or family members been more supportive, perhaps he would not still remain in the nursing and rehabilitation facility.

"Mary" - 36 year old female suffering from anxiety, depression & drug addiction

2006-04-15T05:59:00.000-07:00

This week we interviewed "Mary" who is a 36 year old female who suffers from anxiety, depression, stress, and drug addiction. "Mary" was first diagnosed with depression and anxiety in 1993 after her parents passed away just six months apart. "Mary's" father died in June, 1993 and she was pregnant at the time with her second child. While still pregnant in September, 1993, she lost her mother to cancer. Two weeks later she went into labor and due to complications, she was forced into an emergency c-section delivery. During this surgery the doctor nicked the bowel which resulted in a temporary colostomy. Due to this complication, "Mary" was forced to remain in the hospital and her infant son was brought home without her. Upon arriving home, she was too depressed and anxious to care for her own needs but was forced to care for her 3 year old and newborn son. These unfortunate events was the beginning of her thirteen year bout with depression, anxiety, and drug addiction.

Over the past thirteen years, "Mary" has seen many physicians and was prescribed numerous medications. She was prescribed Ambien to help her sleep and since Ambien is a sleeping pill which has the potential to become addictive, she soon stopped taking this drug. She was then given Xanax, an anti-anxiety medication that can also be habit forming. While still on the Xanax, she was prescribed anti-depressants; but since anti-depressants sometimes take up to six weeks to become effective, "Mary" did not allow these medications the opportunity to work before she stopped taking them.

In 2001 she acquired a new family physician and he diagnosed her with Degenerative Disc Disease and prescribed her Vicodin ES for pain associated with her disease. Five years later "Mary" is still on Vicodin and has increased her dosage from the prescribed four pills a day to ten just to "feel normal". The increased dosage has forced her obtain her additional dosage illegally and she has resorted to "doctor shopping" to obtain the additional quantity needed to support her present state of addiction. She has also been prescribed Lexapro for the past year and has noticed some improvement in her depression and anxiety attacks. Lexapro is a newer anti-depressant on the market.

"Mary" is currently divorced and both of her boys live with her ex-husband in another state. She now has a three year old daughter from a new relationship.

Additionally, "Mary" has admitted to a few new addictions...the Internet and her DVR. She states that if she is not sleeping, she is watching her recorded shows on her DVR or chatting with her "cyber" friends online. She is not certain if she will ever change her habits as long as she is addicted to Vicodin.

"Mary" is not alone when it comes to depression, anxiety attacks, and stress. Often one illness leads to another and you can find yourself with a drug addiction too. If you are seeing more than one physician for your symptoms, please allow the doctors to co-ordinate your care so that you do not take medications that can interact and cause additional problems. Also, we suggest you thoroughly read the literature provided with your medications. Potentially habit forming drugs are meant for short-term use and become addictive if used over a long period of time. It is a well-known fact that many physicians have a tendency to over-prescribe these habit forming medications and it is your responsibility to take an active role in your own health care.

Finally, we recommend you allow a longer period of time for your anti-depressant medications to work as many of these drugs are "build-up" medications and may not reach their full effect for four to six weeks. It is also important that you take the anti-depressant medication at the same time each day and that you do not "double up" on the medication should you forget. if you should forget to take your medication one day, take it as soon as you remember and make that your new time to take the medication on each subsequent day.

"John" is a 66 year old male who suffers from anxiety attacks

2006-04-08T12:24:00.000-07:00

"John" is a 66 year old male who suffers from anxiety attacks. His problems began approximately 18 months ago when he took on the responsibility of caring for his elderly mother on a full time basis. This new role as care giver became very demanding and he began a pattern of excessive alcohol consumption; and his usual one pack a day cigarette habit rapidly increased to two packs a day.

For years, he had practiced very poor eating habits and this poor nutrition coupled with his new responsibilities, proved even more devastating when he suffered a stroke and found himself requiring medical care. His stroke forced him to give up his part time job which he felt he needed in order to supplement his limited retirement benefits. This loss of income along with his struggle to overcome his own physical disabilities created by the stroke, left him even more stressed and he began having anxiety attacks on a daily basis. His responsibilities as a care giver continued throughout his recovery process and he found only occasional relief from his duties from relatives who could offer only limited assistance.

Fortunately for "John", he sought medical assistance and his doctor prescribed Ativan which helped to alleviate his symptoms. He also began attending care giver group sessions at his local retirement center on a weekly basis. Just knowing there are other people with similar difficulties, has helped to ease some of his anxious moments.

If you are experiencing a similar situation, we would be happy to receive your comments and suggestions. Once again, we want to remind you how important it is to seek professional help before you find yourself in a health crisis such as "John" experienced.

"Patsy" - 44 yr old female who has been diagnosed as Manic Depressive/BiPolar

2006-04-01T18:25:00.000-08:00

This week we are interviewing "Patsy" who is a 44-year-old female who has been diagnosed as Manic Depressive/BiPolar. Her physician presently has her on Lithium and Seroquel which seem to alleviate her symptoms when took on a daily basis. Unfortunately, "Patsy" finds it financially impossible to pay for this medication on a regular basis. Therefore, finds herself suffering from anxiety, depression, and severe mood swings. Partly due to these symptoms, she has presently found herself without a place to live and is relying on friends for shelter and support.

Her first marriage was a disaster and left her feeling guilty and depressed when her husband died of a drug overdose. Several years later, she entered into another relationship, and eventually married, which proved even worse since her new spouse was an alcoholic and physically abusive. This marriage ended in divorce and sent her, once again, into another state of anxiety and depression.

Individuals with severe anxiety and depression often fail to take care of themselves, neglect their appearance, and can forget how important good nutrition plays in helping them cope with any disease, either mental or physical. Anxiety and depression can also be a side effect of many medications taken for other existing conditions. Therefore, it is important for you to see your physician on a regular basis and make him or her aware of other prescribed medications. Keeping a food diary over a period of weeks could also help you to link food intake and sensitivity with mood swings. Eliminating certain foods from your diet could help stabilize your moods.

Certain antidepressant drugs such as Prozac, Zoloft, and Paxil can often lead to a slight but ongoing weight loss and you may need to make a special effort to maintain weight during treatment with these anxiety medications. Tricyclic antidepressants such as Tofranil, Elevil, and Pamelor can cause weight gain. If you have been prescribed with any of these medications and are overweight or gain weight while taking any of these drugs, you may want to ask your doctor for an alternative.

Besides medication, there are natural approaches to fighting anxiety, panic, and depression. One is to cut down on alcohol, which can be a depressant, and caffeine, which can interfere with sleep and mood. Try eating a diet with high grade proteins such as meat, dairy products, eggs, and fresh fish which can help in promoting good nervous system function. Also, never underestimate exercise in treating anxiety and depression. Just a daily walk can be a critical factor in the treatment process. Another natural approach to fighting anxiety and depression is to read. There are many good self-help books out there so please, go get one and read it!

We(myself and others) have suggested some of these alternative natural remedies for "Patsy" to use in conjunction with her prescribed medications and are hoping that these remedies may be of some help when she is financially unable to receive her prescribed medications.

"Patsy" is a real person. Her personal information, as well as her interview answers have been withheld by request.

"Patsy" needs to know there are others in the same situation with similar anxiety-depression disorders and that she is not alone or unique in her behavior. If you would be willing to share your specific anxieties with us and pass on any information on what has worked for you in overcoming these very real problems, we would be happy to relay this information in our future weekly reports.

We respect you, and your privacy. Any information we receive from you will be handled in the way you want it to be handled. No personally identifiable information will be used anywhere. We do not sell or rent your information to anyone, ever. Period.

"Lily" - 61 yr old female suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder & Panic Attacks

2006-03-25T18:09:00.000-08:00

This week we interviewed "Lily", a 61 year old female who suffers from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder along with panic attacks. Her fears stem from early childhood when she was brutally beaten by her mother and threatened with more of the same if she told anyone. She still bears physical and mental scars to this day. The anxiety created from these attacks have left her fearful of relationships of any type and unable to function as a normal person. She is afraid to leave her apartment for fear someone may enter and harm her pets in the process. This unwarranted fear and constant state of anxiety has alienated her from society and created a loneliness and a feeling that no one else understands her situation or cares. Her trips to the grocery store take hours as her OCD kicks in and she is compelled to check dates and packaging on every item purchased.

Her inablility to work due to the mental state brought on by these fears, have placed her in the poverty range financially and she is concerned what might happen if she becomes ill and unable to care for herself and her pets. She trusts no one and will not allow herself to be happy; and occasionally contemplates suicide as the only way out of her situation.

"Lily" needs to know there are others in the same situation with similar fears and phobias and that she is not alone or unique in her behavior.

"Lily" is a real person. Her personal information, as well as her interview answers have been withheld by request.