Nursing and anxiety?

Anxiety is horrible, any way you slice it. I have GAD, and the attacks are just debilitating. Are you doing any talk therapy for this? It sounds like, especially in your circumstance, that talk therapy might be VERy beneficial to you in dealing with your anxiety. A good therapist will give you the tools for "turning the mind" as it were. You sound like a catastrophizer, much like me.

have you tried prozac with xanax? the combo seems to work for alot of people.:heartbeat

have you tried prozac with xanax? the combo seems to work for alot of people.:heartbeat

as per terms of service we can not give medical advice

I understand how you feel. I've recently started experiencing anxiety/panic attacks and I'm still trying to figure out what's going on. I'm pretty sure mine are triggered by health-related issues; meaning I have fears about my health and something happening to me. Not a great thing to have when you work in a hospital and are starting Nursing school shortly. I feel like my future is moments away from becoming derailed...

The odd thing about my attacks is that they are random and have no triggering event...not when something upsets me or when I'm actively in a state of worry about myself. However I do think they come on more often when I'm tired.

I have Ativan for when they hit (and it helps) but I'm going to seek out counseling. I'm not a doc but it seems to me yours are directly related to a particular event and I bet you would really benefit from counseling.

Good luck and take care.

I am glad to know I will not be the only nurse out there with anxiety and depression. (And taking SSRI's)

~Student RN

Counseling really helps anxiety. It can teach you methods to deal with the attacks rather than drink. That can be a slippery slope for many. There are many meds that may help but since you have an idea of precipitating triggers a couple of sessions may make a huge difference in your life.

Many great nurses have anxiety. Some channel it into working in either high or low stress areas, depending on how they deal with it. Best of luck. You do not have to suffer. There are alternatives out there.

I am a new grad and have suffered from GAD/Panic attacks and depression for years. When I started nursing school I became very sick with anxiety to the point that my physical health was quickly declining. For the first time I was provided the opportunity to combine Talk Therapy (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) with medication (prescribed by my doctor).

My experience with therapy was life changing. I am by no means "cured" but I feel like a new person. I now have an orificenal of tools to cope with life and cope with anxiety.

Also, I am not a religious person, but it sounds like a lot of your worry is related to the teachings of your religion. Maybe you could speak with a member of the clergy about your concerns? I know a lot of people find comfort in their religion. I have found that removing shame and embarrassment about anxiety is the quickest way to get help and support. Once I began telling classmates and coworkers about my issues I got such a positive response. I was amazed at how many people around me were going through or had gone through similar things.

I wish you the best!