RAllen,

It is a futile effort to try to compare symptoms and recoveries.

You are still at only the one month mark.

Mark,
I'm at a very dark place in my life as I went from a fully functioning adult to suffering from
constant panic and anxiety with no relief. I can't eat or sleep. I look to these boards for comfort especially when I see someone who has had similar issues after a concussion. It's hard enough to convince a doctor that this really isn't me so when I'm on the boards asking it's only to see what treatment has worked and to see if any progress has been made. It's not a comparison and I wish you would see it as such. I'm desperate. I understand one month is early but when you have been in fight or flight mode for 32 days, it seems that the body and mind can't tolerate too much more. I'm searching for help not discouragement.

I take Inositol powder for anxiety.
It's helpful for me. It just seems to take the edge off.

I find St John's Wort quite strange in its effects.
It certainly elevates mood but seems to increase anxiety.

Edited to add: I forgot something as usual...

Inositol is harmless. Worth a try.

I haven't tried L-Theanine yet although I remember that mrsD recommended it to me years ago. There's only so much money to go around on supplements. They're very expensive here where I live and so I usually buy them from the US.

There have been many other posts about L-Theanine on the forum/s.

If you want to search the older posts here for more information, you can use the forum search feature.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/search.php

PhamaGABA is another anti anxiety supplement.

Everyone is different. What works for one might not help someone else.
I see that even in my own family.

RAllen,

Have you been seen by anybody about your meds besides the in-patient psychiatrist ? You really need to find someone who deals with concussions. Try calling the Sports Trainer department of a local college or high school and ask who they use for concussions.

If you have severe anxiety, self treatment is difficult.

I'm sorry you are suffering. You should see a psychiatrist regularly until you are out of the woods. Short term help i.e. Xanax until the long term stuff kicks In would certainly help your symptoms.
Getting doctors to believe the effects from a tbi is difficult, but be persistent in that this is not who you normally are. a psychiatrist who deals with tbi victims would be great but I know they are probably easier to find In the city where I live, but it doesn't hurt in trying to find one.
You will be ok again, there is no reason to suffer so much until then. Please keep us in touch.

Mark,
I was in the ER twice for MRI, CT and labs (all clear). I've followed up with another psychiatrist and have a call into a psychologist. I am taking a low dose Zoloft in the mornings which I have just been on for a little over two weeks. I will say that I am much better than I was, but I still have hours during every day where the anxiety seems debilitating- don't even know where it comes from. Sometimes its there upon rising in the mornings. I'm not sleeping well so I think the two go hand in hand.

You seem to be very knowledgable and I appreciate the prior advice. I have been lurking these forums and was hoping you (and others with similar symptoms) could weigh in on advice and help. I don't know where to turn next. I was never like this before. It seems my anxiety and insomnia are feeding each other, but I don't know which one came first after the accident.

Could it be that the concussion caused the anxiety? I'm not experiencing any other symptoms, not even headaches. My vision is a little more blurry than it was and the ability to concentrate is gone, but I chalk that up to my anxiety. I've read that the first 4-6 weeks on SSRI's can be hell as they cause worsening of symptoms before getting better. I would love more input from you.

I know that God has a plan and I'm trying to have strength through Him. I also find this website to be of comfort, just to know there are others that have advice and their time to offer. It's been therapeutic for me in a way. I took this semester off from nursing school which was a heart breaking decision.

Thank you for responding.

Thank you for your kind words and advice, markneil. Unfortunately, taking the benzos wasn't helping at all. It would knock me out for a short spell but as soon as I would come to, the "feelings" were back threefold. I'm praying this breaks. I'll say a prayer for you too. Hope you rest well. Thanks.

I wonder why you are being prescribed a slow acting SSRI rather than a quick acting anxiolitic (anti-anxiety med). Zoloft takes 2 weeks to start to take effect. A benzo like Klonopin or Xanax will give you a quick benefit. I had extreme anxiety issues last fall due to an extreme stress event. My doc started me on Klonopin while the Celexa (SSRI) took weeks to take effect. Read my signature.

Benzos are to be respected and hopefully not used for long term. But, for short term, they can be worthwhile.

A concussion can change the way the brain tolerates stress and sensory stimulation. It helps to reduce both.

I keep the left over Klonopin available for 'just in case' situations. I have used it a dozen times at a half dose.

I wonder if a psychiatrist or psychologist is the best. A psychiatrist with experience with concussions may be helpful.

For anxiety, very low dose Propranolol, which is a Beta blocker, can be a safe alternative to some of the medications that have dependency or rebound issues.

Where I live, Psychologists don't prescribe medications but Psychiatrists do... not sure how it is in the States.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy can also be very helpful for lots and lots of issues, including anxiety, pain, depression etc.. Often when used in combination with a medication it is very helpful but some people just do the CBT without the medication.

This is just my opinion, but I wouldn't be visiting a Psychiatrist for TBI/PCS related anxiety or depression, but that's just me. I would see a Psychologist if needed. I like their more practical approach and they show that there's light at the end of the tunnel (so to speak).