[Nyame_1984]

Hello.

TL;DR - I've been experiencing great anxiety at sudden movements. Mostly from shadows. Heart racing, chest pain, etc. - real or imagined. What actions can I take to lessen its prevalence or eradicate this entirely?

Back story: After encountering a hypnagogic hallucination(?) - I was attacked by a "dark entity/presence", something of the sort - I frequently experienced fear of shadows, as if there's something waiting in them, as if they had sentience and was out for me. I had to leave shadowy areas (mostly in my house) quickly, feeling followed when my back was turned. My eyes picked up darting shadows, scurrying things in my periphery. It was pretty terrible. Anxiety, tears type thing. This was a year ago.

Now, idk what's happening. Well, as I opened, the fear of shadows have returned, the chest pain, the jumping... Told my psych and he said it was my "over-active imagination". I accept that but...this still exist and it's debilitating.

Cyclothymia -> Bipolar 1 -> Bipolar 2 (I was told by my psychiatrist after a few assessments). On lamictal 200mg only.

[Sunflower123]

Hello. Welcome to PC. I don’t have any advice...just wanted to welcome you. Hopefully other posters will have good advice.

I really don’t understand why your doc didn’t think to give you an antipsychotic. Why don’t you ask for one? Some help you sleep. I have quetiapine—it is great for sleep.

I had those types of fears when I was a child—it is very scary. I’m so sorry.

[Nyame_1984]

Thanks for the welcome Jennifer.

Originally Posted by key tones

I really don’t understand why your doc didn’t think to give you an antipsychotic. Why don’t you ask for one? Some help you sleep. I have quetiapine—it is great for sleep.

I had those types of fears when I was a child—it is very scary. I’m so sorry.

I was also on quetiapine for a while. Slept for about 12hrs, dry mouth, hunger. It really wasn't working out. I stabilised more or less then he game me the Lamictal. I took quetiapine when I wanted to sleep - also had insomnia - but this is where the terrors started, I think. When I randomly took it. I now, don't.

Strange you mentioned experiencing it as a child... I recall an experience of something drippy moving along the ceiling in my room when younger. Lol.

This is troublesome.

[tecomsin]

Hypnagogic hallucinations can be really scary. I've had them too. And that can magnify other fears.

I also had terrible experiences on seroquel. Maybe a low dose of another antipsychotic like olanzapine can help you cope and lessen the symptoms. It can also help with anxiety. There's about a dozen antipsychotics so just because one is intolerable doesn't mean the others will be.

[~Christina]

Sorry you have to go through that.

Why are you not on a AP? “ most BP’s are on more than Lamictal .

What is your diagnosis cyclothymia ? Bp1 or BP 2 ? Sometimes that matters in treatment(s)