Anxiety Levels

[Tilly2]

A week ago, I got really spooked when a mouse ran across my hand, as I was picking something up in the garage.

I know it sounds silly but I am still feeling spooked. The smallest things make me jump, I keep seeing things in my peripheral vision and I can't sit still without my leg/foot jiggling about.
My driving has been affected and I feel very unsure of myself, in the car. I don't like driving at the best of times but at the moment it is really stressful.

How long will it be before my 'nerves' settle down? Or is that like saying 'How long is a piece of string?'

I take sertraline tablets but they don't seem to be helping with calming me down at the moment.

[Mamyalynne]

It's not a silly reaction at all Tilly, perfectly normal.

I'm sure there's a professional approach to this though, for me I try to imagination what if something was really there - it's unlikely to be anything dangerous and easily shooed away.

Try shouting 'Boo' before you look.

I have had a phobia since I fell in May and I still can't quite crack it but am working on it.

[pixie374]

Sounds normal, tilly x do you have a phobia of mice anyway? I would be the same with a spider.
How long have you been taking sertraline for, if you want to say... but I think this is something that will pass by itself. Go back to the GP if it really starts affecting your lifestyle for long xx

[Sqad]

How long is a piece of string?

[Tilly2]

Thank you all. I can see that two of you know exactly how I feel. I'm sure it will settle. I actually feel a bit better having written about it.

[pixie374]

It will settle... maybe not as quickly as you would like though. If you have anxiety anyway, many things can trigger it. See how it goes for a couple of weeks, and hopefully, it will resolve itself by then xx

[Barsel]

A few weeks ago I saw a massive brown moth in my bedroom. For the next few nights, I slept on the sofa. During the day I would go in there because it seemed to hide during the day, but I wouldn't sleep in there as I had visions of waking up with it perched on my nose! Then one day as I was leaving the room, I saw it in the door frame and ran out of the room slamming the door behind me. When I ventured back in, the dead moth fell down onto the floor! Awww I hear you say and yes I did feel bad about it but at least I could sleep in my bed again. However, it has spooked me in a way as I now have to do a search under the pillows, behind the curtains etc before I get into bed. Tilly I know that telling you this is of no help to you but I just wanted to know that you are not alone and I can totally understand. x

[Tilly2]

Thanks, Pixie. I will do something about it if it persists. It's horrible, feeling this way.
I'm just feeling a bit sorry for myself and do realise that a lot of people have to put up with much worse things than a jiggly leg. :-)

[Tilly2]

Thanks for telling me that, Barsel. It does help to know that other people have had a similar reaction to a sudden fright.

[pixie374]

Anxiety is awful- and particularly when you know in your own mind, that is is also irrational. That doesn't prevent it though. Your body responds as if there is a threat, even though you know it doesn't really make sense.
Give yourself a chance and look after yourself. If it doesn't seem to improve by itself, go for some further help... but hopefully, it is a phase xx

[pixie374]

I do too... if I see a house spider anywhere, I imagine I can see them everywhere. It takes a while to wear off xx

[marval]

I can understand you being spooked Tilly. It is scary when you are not expecting it.

I got stung by a sleepy wasp in my bed, this was in December.

I was at home many years ago, I had to thoroughly check the bed after that.

[tamborine]

Go to pet shop & handle a mouse, to fight fears.

I dispensed huge spider this morning via bath towel; still on lawn

[Tilly2]

Tambo, I'm not afraid of mice. I had a pet mouse when I was a child. Neither am I afraid of spiders. There was a huge spider in my bedroom the other night and I just turned off the light and it wasn't there in the morning.

It wasn't the fact that it was a mouse, it was the fact that I was so startled by the unexpected that it has shaken me.

Thanks for the suggestion, anyway.

[Tilly2]

Marvel, actually being hurt by something must have made it worse.

[hellywelly4]

What is your Sertraline dose? I'm on 150 and it has certainly helped me with anxiety issues. Just try and take things quietly and not overthink what happened. Very difficult I know, easier said than done.

[jennyjoan]

Tilly - my sister would have taken a heart attack and died on the spot and I mean it. Her phobia is really really bad so give yourself time. I wouldn't like it either

[Patsy33]

Anxiety is an awful thing, Tilly. I would have thought your medication would have helped in that respect. If it doesn't appear to settle after a week, please go see your GP. He might up your tablets or try new one. All the best. x

[Tilly2]

Helly, my dosage is 50mg per day. Perhaps I should up the dosage a bit?

[ummmm]

I've only suffered with anxiety recently. It's horrible, I feel for you.

[Barsel]

Tilly, don't increase your sertraline without asking your GP. My GP wanted to increase mine a while ago but he did explain if ever I wanted to come off it, it's easier to do when you take 50 mg than if you take 100mg a day. I stuck to the 50mg and things that bother me have settled down a bit now and I'm coping a bit better, but do see your GP if you are still bad with your anxiety. x