How can you tell if it is withdrawal HELP

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How can you tell if the awful anxiety is withdrawal or something else. I have never had anxiety this bad and now it seems that even stupid little thought that would never have bothered me before are causing anxiety and now I am getting depressed because it is keeping me from doing alot of things that I never had trouble doing.

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well, if you never had it before withdrawl and all of the sudden you are getting terrible  anxiety..chances are is WD

same thing happned to me and lots of other members...so its pretty common

 

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I was prescribed zopiclone for insomnia and a number of months later developed unexplained anxiety and prescribed clonazepan.  I think the zopiclone caused my anxiety.  In the past I would get some anxiety but NOTHING LIKE THIS.  Now I am afraid that it will not go away and it is causing a great deal of problems.  When people say that they were housebound was it becasue of the fear and anxiety and depression or was it because of physical symptoms.  I find the the anxiety is keeping me from being able to do alot of things.

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thanks for the reply edaluver 

Has your anxiety gone away.  I hope it has because it is really crippling.

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How can you tell if the awful anxiety is withdrawal or something else. I have never had anxiety this bad

 

I think you just answered your own question.

 

For me it was easy to tell that it was wd because I have never experienced anything like it. I have had social anxiety my entire life but I never got a panicky "fight or flight" type of reaction like I do with the wd anxiety. Two totally different beasts.

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Thank you FloridaGuy

How long can this go on.  I feel like life has just stopped and it is causing me alot of upset.  I am trying to be patient and let this pass but I am crying for the life that I no longer have.  Is this what makes people housebound?

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Pegasus, I am having the anxiety, too.  I agree with Florida Guy.  I know what anxiety felt like in the past...had been on meds for it for 16 years and was totally controlled until I started the Ativan.  I remember what anxiety felt like 16 years ago.  This is unlike anything I have ever experienced, period. 

It wasn't long before I started taking the Ativan (for anxiety/nausea I had when I had an inner ear problem)  that I started having more anxiety, and then panic attacks again, and eventually took early retirement and was barely able to leave the house.

 

Over time this got better as I started taking the Ativan more often, then, of course, would rebound back when I started having interdose withdrawal.

 

I'm day 12 C/T from a low dose of Ativan.  Today was a better day than yesterday, and I was able to drive to the outdoor fruit market and through drive-in window at drugstore.  The whole time in the car I kept repeating out loud, "I am OK, I am not going to fall apart, the physical symptoms I am having will pass, I am not in danger, I can do this, the withdrawal wants me to think I can't do this, but I can."    Yesterday I wondered if I would ever leave my house again, and, like you, long for the life I once had.  I see other people out and about being "normal" and tend to start beating myself up.  Someone here told me to be gentle with me and trust the process.  I'm trying.   

 

I've been reading a lot about this on these forums.  People say WE WILL HEAL.  I have to believe it.    I'm sorry you are struggling with this and am sending you best wishes.... You are not alone....

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Thank you so much for your reply sunnyside.  I really appreciate the reassurance.  I find the anxiety is the worst symptom and leads to depression.  I am having a really hard time right now.  I know that we all heal but wonder if I should take an antidepressant.  I really don't want to but things are really bad right now.  Can anyone let me know that this anxiety and depression will go away.  I had a one day window about two weeks ago when it was not so bad.  Is this a sign that it will get better.  Any reassuarnce would be greatly appreciated right now.