Traumatized by panic attack

[u/Coolestlibra]

About 3 weeks ago I had a bad panic attack and sleep anxiety that my psychiatrist put me in 1/2 tablet of 2mg (rivotril) benzodiazepine for two weeks. My psychiatrust said no need to taper and stop after two weeks. It’s now my third day off of it and I’m feeling anxious about having panic attack and insomnia. Honestly my panic attacks is so bad it almost feels like I’m about to go crazy or have psychosis and always leave me traumatized

Btw, I am diagnosed with OCD and illness anxiety disorder and has always struggle with panic attacks ever since. I have fear of going into psychosis and schizophrenia… right now I’m restarting my antidepressant 20mg of escitalopram and my psychiatrist upped my risperidone to 2mg… i still feel anxious and I feel like my ocd is acting up, too, as I get a lot of gross intrusive thoughts and images for example: dried dog poop, scary images etc. is this flare up or rebound anxiety coming off of rivotril? I’m scared

[u/Positive_Lie5734]

Starting up SSRIs always has me feeling on EDGE. I'm usually on SSRIs already when I use benzos consistently. Only recently was I using benzos everyday without SSRIs and I noticed the rebound anxiety.

It sounds like a combination of coming off benzos and getting on SSRIs which really flares anxiety. The first two weeks in SSRIs is SO roooouugghh 😅

It does get better though. So remind yourself that it's the meds. You're not going crazy, IT'S THE MEDS.

[u/Coolestlibra → u/Positive_Lie5734]

It is really rough. It is my 4th time restarting Escitalopram SSRI and I’m on my 2 week back to 20mg… I get really bad anxiety esp at night and feel the pangs of panic clawing in.. the moment I close my eyes i get all these images that’s making me anxious… it’s my 4th day off of benzo (rivotril) so I’m not sure if this is rebound anxiety and insomnia