LymeNet Flash: Should I see a Psych ??

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Posted by smiles (Member # 5635) on :

Sometimes I feel like I'm jumping out of my skin, other times like crying endlessly, sometimes just numb - and although I find myself wishing for emotional numbness, it's not all that great... but most definitely blahhhh. Is this lyme or is it me or is it illness in general????

What have other people found useful for treating the emotional issues? Drugs? Herbs? seeing a counselor?

Ive been doing a search on this site, but finding older responses, want to know if there is anything new? Thanks.

Posted by V. Owens (Member # 5380) on :

Good day smiles

Like your name, one of the words I use to end my posts. That word as for the smile that will return to Vic`s ( my wife ) Face
when we beat this here LD thing.

The feelings you are having sound just like
what vic is going through, more so latly.
I am so sorry that this is happening to others like you, we do not use drugs for this
so I can not tell you what works. I am sure someone eles can & will.

What seems to help a lot for Vic is a hot
epsom salt bath with lavender oil, A hot cup
of mint tea. I sit on the floor and we talk
about happy things or the good times from the past. So think of the good things the
happy times. And know in your heart they will
be there again because you will get better.

Wishing you better days;

Steve & Vic

A smile on your face, a sparkle in your eye,
down the road.

PS. Sounds like lyme to me

[This message has been edited by V. Owens (edited 08 May 2004).]

Posted by smiles (Member # 5635) on :

Steve, Vic & cave,
Thank you for responses and support.

The lavendar bath and tea sound wonderful - will try that. I do find that talking to others and remembering good times is helpful, at least brings me a good laugh.

I am taking doxy - progressing to 400mg daily. Spoke with LLMD about it he too thinks it could be a mix of things. Gave me an rx for antidep/anxiet, but we want to wait to start that until I reach the 400mg and see if the abx improves these feelings.

I do think cycles impact these feelings. A long time ago, had some issues with anxiety, found the counselor helped. But was curious if this is the Lyme causing it then (as my anxiety has definitely gotten worse this past year), would the counseling help - or do I just need to give the abx a chance to kill these pests.

However this decreased motivation and "depressed state" is somewhat new - I've always considered myself a fighter....

My friends and family have been a great support and I am turning to them more than ever. In fact today, I spent time on the phone visiting with people and laughing.

I am keeping the attitude that I will beat this and that better days are ahead.

Posted by k-lyme (Member # 5574) on :

Smiles,
If you can find one that is actually does something for 100.00 + an hour, then the more power to you. I don't think it is such a good idea myself, but that is just me. I have had every experience with a counselor be "It's all in your head, and if you have to live with it the rest of your life, then fine, you'll just have to cope." Boy would I like to tell them ****ers words that my momma would wash my mouth out with soap. Take care and good luck

Posted by Gabrielle (Member # 5329) on :

I think it is caused by lyme any will hopefully go away with treatment. But if the anxiety turns into panick attacks, then, IMHO, it is necessary to see a good counselor.

Lyme can cause anxiety and panick attacks. But the problem is that anxiety tends to get its own life. This means, you learn to be afraid of the anxiety and even if the original reason for it (in this case Lyme) is not existant anymore, you still have anxiety and panick attacks. You have to learn not to be afraid of it anymore and this is done best by a therapy.

At least it helped me.

I know what you mean with emotional numbness. I'm numb since many months and I have often wondered if this is also Lyme. I'm nearly ashamed to say that even the fact that I have Lyme does not excite me much. I feel like a zombie.

Gabrielle

Posted by EtherealGirl on :

My anxiety, depression and anger were very pronounced during the first few months after contracting this disease. My doctor finally prescribed Effexor, because I was crying uncontrollably. I didn't realize that Lyme can do this, until I read about it here. The Lyme rage was awful, and that feeling of jumping out of my skin drove me crazy!

The Effexor has helped tremendously. I'm super calm now, but not flat. I still have small bouts of anxiety, but I'll either take a Flexeril or Xanax to get me through the night.

I think one of the most incredible things that Effexor does, besides helping with the emotions, is it also suppresses pain. I've hardly felt any muscle pain since I started it five months ago. The only time I feel stiff and sore is after I've really over-done it, and it's nothing like the pain I had before I started this medication.

I hope you find some answers, and relief, very soon!

Take care,

Holly

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