Expert: Joyce A. Anthony - 10/12/2006

Question
Okay, I take Buspar and Ativan(prn) for anxiety and anxiety attackes. I do know they help because I thought I did not need them after about 2 or so months of being on them (I found out I was not better). Well, I still have the attacks(the ativan helps them) but I have mood swings that the meds do not help. Here is what I feel like. Some days I feel good then bam, I am ill as a hornet, hard to get along with, I sometimes feel no closness with my daughter 12( I feel like she tries me every momonet) I have no sex drive, I am scared all the time(due to the attacks and how my body reacts to them; presure in the chest, body aches, I feel extemely nervous, jittery ; ativan works for those) I question everything and every body ( I get feel like they are trying to get over on me or out to hurt me; I even wonder is my husband having an affair, though I know he isn't and that sets me off)   
When I get angry it is like a rage. Like I have to throw something or hit something like I can't control it (but I do) I feel almost "WILD" at that moment ashamed for feeling like that ( I hate it) I almost feel like a cages animal when I am nervous and jittery....Lord, help me!    

I go to my doctor this month and I am going to ask for a blood test (just incase)  Oh yeah, does childhood trama cause this? I was sexually abuse by my dad as far back as I can remember until I was 12 yrs old. I have never received help for that and I know that I have some issues with it because my mom never knew and still does not know. thank you so much.

Answer
Dianne:

Have you told these things to your psychiatric doctor?  I am not qualified to diagnose, but your symptoms appear more in line with either Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or Borderline Personality Disorder.  The fact that you were sexually abused as a child and never received treatment for this indicates more the first diagnosis, but often more than one disorder can exist within a person.

There is definitely a need here to discuss everything with a psychiatrist or mental health counselor.  A doctor can't help or make an accurate diagnosis unless he/she knows all the details. That is the first step.

I hope this helps.  Please feel free to contact me again should you have more questions.

                  Joyce A. Anthony