really struggling tonight 💔 currently tapering off my medication and having constant panick attacks. I suffer with GAD, Emetiphobia, health anxiety and different forms of OCD. the withdrawal is terrible and making me.feel sick so becuase of my health anxiety and emetophobia it heightens everything and I just feel I'm about to die at any minute. can anyone relate or have any words of wisdom?

Remember to take some calming breaths and try to distract yourself. Can you watch a favourite show or call a friend?

@catattak coming on here helps to distract I am so made up i found this app in really am i just feel i am surrounded by people who understand on the app and it really helps. I usually put a film on but currently in holiday in a caravan so I'm not in my usual surroundings which wont be helping either. x

I have been tapering since march after 8 years of usage. currently on 5mg of escitalopram did you manage to completely come off yours? the withdrawal is just so hard because of the health anxiety and emetophobia, I always knew it would be harder for that reason but It still doesn't make it any easier to deal with. thankyou for your reply. x

@Kimberley* I've tapered on so I'm still on it. I'm on 10 mg I'd escitalopram a day but had to start at 2.5 mg. I'm sorry I dont have help for tapering off. I thought it would be similar.

@catattak dont worry I too had problems when going on my anti depressants so I can understand why you tapered on slowly so it probably is similar to my situation to be honest. with the 2.5 mg was that in liquid form? x

@Kimberley* No it was pills. I had a hard time cutting them in quarters until I got a pill splitter

I never feel like the meds helped me of got me to a place where I felt ok again, and the side effects from taking them have massively impacted my life, like emotional blunting, always tired, feeling numb, loss of interest in sex. I feel like the meds have changed me as a person for the worst. my doctor is aware and supporting me I have been on a really low dose for a year plus now but think I will definitely slow the taper and see of it helps. thankyou for your reply. x

@Kimberley* Of course 😀 I wish you the best. You will get through this.

@kls323 thankyou I really appreciate it ❤

@Kimberley* Can I also ask what made you stay on it for so long? Im suprised the doctor didn't try something different. Thats what makes me nervous to start anything. Anxiety sucks so much

@kls323 i started on citalopram and then I changed to fluoxetine about a year and a half ago but it didnt agree with me at all so was put on escitalopram. I've tried to come off a few times but always had to go back on due to the withdrawals. I wish I'd never gone on them. x

@Kimberley* That makes sense. At least your doing the right thing for yourself. Its rough now but WILL get better. Stay strong.

@kls323 yes I really hope so, I just find the withdrawal so terrible, I'm struggling with it at the min and feel like I might have to take it much slower and it frustrates me because I've tried so many times. I work a full time management job aswell so that adds to everything becuase I could really do without being at work at times like these. really hoping we both manage to find some relief from it. x

@Kimberley* What are your withdrawals like? I know its ally harder while you are working. There has got to be something they can give people to help withdrawls.

@kls323 the main withdrawal symtoms i suffer with is dizziness, loss of appetite, nausea ( which sets my panic attacks off because of my emetophobia) nightmares, intense sudden feelings of doom, poor concentration. this list could go on and on.

@Kimberley* Ohhhh no that sounds horrible. I'm so sorry to hear that