Severe paranoia! What is going on?! - Anxiety Message Board

bleedingsoul88 · 06-21-2005, 10:14 PM

I've had problems with depression, OCD, social anxiety, and borderline personality disorder. I've recently been recieving both behavioral therapy and am also taking Lexapro to treat my symptoms for this.

I have recently however, began to become very paranoid. I can't go anywhere with out constantly looking behind me to see if I'm being followed. If I don't look behind me, my heart starts racing and I feel like I'm going to panic. I am also very paranoid about people touching me. If someone is acting like they might hug me, or touch me, I'll back away.

I've never been attacked or anything like that, although I have had people come up behind me and scare me a few times. So, I feel like this fear is totally unreasonable. Does anyone have any insight to this? What can I do to stop being so paranoid?

desertflower · 06-22-2005, 08:29 AM

Hi Bleeding,

Sounds like your OCD and perhaps Anxiety levels are flaring pretty bad right now. I would not worry to much about it because you are able to recognize it and realize it so I would say that it is most likely your OCD. Have you called your pdoc to let them know how you are feeling? How long have you been on the Lexapro? You might need a change in meds. Try to just calm down and take some deep breaths, I know easier said then done, but I would be more worried if you did not realize what was happening. Do you have any Xanax or some other Benzo you could take when this happens? If not I would ask my pdoc about getting some as it would really take the edge off. Also please take a look at my post under switching from Effexor to Lexapro and Lamictal scared and any feedback you have for me would be great. Let me know how you are doing as I really do understand what you are going through. God bless.

DF

bleedingsoul88 · 06-22-2005, 01:00 PM

I go to see my therapist on Thursday(tommorrow), so I will be able to talk to her about this paranoia. I have only been on Lexapro for about a week, I just got switched from Zoloft (which did more bad than good).

It has been a while since I'd talked to my therapist, as she has been very busy, so I'm probably overdue to talk with her. Although we have been communicating briefly through email.

I have concerns with taking anxiety meds like Xanax, as my grandma used to use it and said it was very addicting. I don't want to put myself in that situation, I would much rather learn how to behaviorally control these symptoms, if possible.

Thanks for your input, it is greatly appreciated.

Paxilhead · 06-22-2005, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Does anyone have any insight to this? What can I do to stop being so paranoid?

Increase the Lexapro dosage or switch to a stronger SSRI..

spriggy · 06-22-2005, 02:53 PM

Maybe SSRI's aren't for you.

I have pretty severe anxiety but when I was on any type of SRRI, I got worse (Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro) -- even tried Wellbutrin ( a big no, no for anxiety sufferers!).

Anyway, those meds made me feel like I was on a bad acid trip. I even hallucinated for the first time in my life on Lexapro.

Some people's brain chemistry just doesn't tolerate those type of meds. Maybe just try a benzo like Klonopin or something.

Or if you are new to the LExapro, give it at least 6 weeks to see if it will get better.