[Ghostin0hs]

Ill try to make this as short as I can so hopefully its actually worth reading haha. I have been suffering from severe anxiety for about 9 months or so. It started with one really bad anxiety attack and then I have had almost daily random anxiety ever sinse. I have also had constant racing thoughts for as long as I can remember, which of course only got worse with the anxiety. I decided not to use medication to help and instead tried changing my diet, exercising, and taking multiple vitamin supplements to aid my anxiety. It helped the anxiety happen less frequently but did not get rid of it. Also I have always been a huge perfectionist but recenlty it manifested into almost ocd like behavior. A few days ago I woke up and all of a sudden felt like a different person. The anxiety and obsessive thoughts were completely gone and my racing thoughts even somewhat subsided. I feel like my old self again and it feels great. Theres only two things concerning me, one is that it happened over night which I know is uncommon, and two is now I am somewhat in a state of apathy. I feel happy but it now feels like nothing can bother me. So basically im concerned about my mindset changing so suddenly. I contemplated bi polar but after extensive research the depression and and mania dont sound anything like me. So does anyone have any thoughts this? I realize my anxiety probably isnt magically gone for good but its just weird that it dissapeared that quick. Any feeback is appreciated

[nessaea]

Hey there,

I am glad your anxiety is gone, but I can totally understand how you are worried about why it went away so quickly and for what seems like no reason.

I don't have any real answers, but I know for me, sometimes my anxiety gets better on some days and I don't know why. I think it probably has to do with what is going on at the time, body chemistry, the weather (I'm happier on sunny days) and a whole bunch of things. It is probably not bipolar, since I've never known anyone with it to have changes that quickly, or just isolated incidents like that.

Do you have a doctor or therapist? if so, maybe this is something you can bring up with them when you see them next. They would probably have a better idea of what is going on.

Sorry I couldn't be more help, but I am glad you are feeling less anxious!!

Ness

[Travelinglady]

Hi! That does sound unusual to me, too. Have you been seeing a doctor about your anxiety? It might be a good idea to at least talk to your family doc about the situation. I hope you get to a happy, but feeling state before too long.

[halmat]

ghost - I had exactly that happen to me more than once during my 30 years with agoraphobia - an almost spontaneous recovery from a long period of intense anxiety. I hadn't thought so much about it until I read your letter. I totally overcame agoraphobia 20 years ago and am writing a book about recovery. You are doing many of the right things; you were so so right not to begin the medication route. I did and it was hell. I recall one of the "recoveries" very well because it was life-saving. All winter I had been unable to travel more than 6 blocks to grad school where I was hiding from the vietnam war. Every day was high anxiety and then one day, in mid-April, it all just sort of drifted away. I was so excited I took my wife and a friend to a movie all the way downtown - "Zorba the Greek." Anyway, what I didn't know during any of those normal periods is that I could have used the time to advantage to start trying some easy traveling or breaking down whatever your barriers are. Start reading everything you can on agoraphobia and cognitive therapy. You may still have some subconscious triggers, so figure out what you need to do so you never fear having a panic attack again. Never. Good luck. Hal