Severe anxiety/Panic disorder and crippling fear

About a week and a half ago I stupidly watched The Conjuring (for anyone who doesnt know it's a scary ghost movie). Since then I've been experiencing extreme panic attacks and constant anxiety - like to the point where while my DH was on a business trip I took my DS and stayed with my parents for a week because I was terrified that we had an evil spirit attached to us. NO concrete evidence at all...I'm sure this is all in my head. I'm making mountains out of mole hills when something happens like my son says he's "scared" at bed time or I see a dirty hand print on the mirror. But it's causing me to not be able to function. I'm literally shaking all the time, can't eat, trouble sleeping, headaches, easily aggitated, crying constantly...
Last night and today has been better, but I'm worried something is going to trigger it again and I'll spiral back out of control. For some back history - this happened to me about 5 years ago and got just as bad. I never went on an antidepressant but I did take Xanax as needed for several weeks until it was under control.

I saw a doctor and he prescribed Lexapro and Klonopin. I'm seeing a therapist tonight for couseling, but I'm afraid to start the Lexapro. From what I've read it has terrible side effects (weight gain, feeling out of it, tired all the time, etc.). I'm afriad if I go on it, I'll become this person with no emotions. Anyone go through anything similar who can share their experience with a medication that helped? Or anyone who has used Lexapro?

My MIL takes a very low dose of prozac for anxiety/depression and it seems to be working well for her. I'm wondering if maybe I need something like that instead of jumping to Lexapro?

Message edited 10/23/2013 12:48:14 PM.

Severe anxiety/Panic disorder and crippling fear

Personally I had a great experience on Lexapro, it really helped me. I eventually weaned myself off of it but with Lexapro and Klonopin (i was on lo doses of both) it was a life saver. I am sorry ur feeling this way, anxiety sucks. The thing I try to rememeber is that it has passed before, it will pass again.

Re: Severe anxiety/Panic disorder and crippling fear

Re: Severe anxiety/Panic disorder and crippling fear

I feel for you. This was me a few years ago. In my case it was crippling health anxiety that lead to terrible, disabling panic attacks. I went on lexapro and Ativan as needed. I almost never used the Ativan because the anxiety was managed so well by lexapro. I did not have any bad side effects in terms of mood - the opposite is true! in fact, it is a time period my husband and I both recall fondly ;) but I'm not going to lie, I I did gain weight. I was on for a year and gained about 10-15 lbs. HOWEVER this could have been caused by the anxiety itself, not the lexapro, nor did I make any effort to combat the weight gain. Lexapro is technically weight neutral. My sister happened to be on Effexor the same time and actually lost weight! I have heard the same thing about Wellbutrin too. Anyway the most important part of the story is that after that one year on Lex I was FINE. It rewired my brain. My issue was health anxiety, and after lexapro i was even able to get through a high risk pregnancy, preterm birth, and subsequent ovarian cancer scare with no more than expected anxiety - probably less! There is hope. Good luck to you!!!!!

Re: Severe anxiety/Panic disorder and crippling fear

Oh and I def drank alcohol on lexapro! It's the Ativan, Valium etc that you absolutely can't drink on.

Eta - I have to add, my mind was in such a bad place that the weight gain was worth it. Truly. And I am usually extremely vigilant about maintaining my weight. It all came off eventually!

Message edited 10/24/2013 3:03:08 AM.

Re: Severe anxiety/Panic disorder and crippling fear

Thank you so much for the responses and FM's! This is putting my mind at ease knowing that other people have had good experiences on it. I also started therapy last night which I hope will help as well!