Neuroemotions

[Fallensoul]

Does someone have a strategy to cope with breathing OCD? I still get affcted now and then esp. when base anxiety is present.
I can't stop thinking about by breathing and manually control it. And very often the thought about get stuck in this repeated tking scares the hell out of me
It's even spread out the way that I'm not even get struggle with the breathing itself, but just the idea of thinking about it...While I know it's automatic when not to control it .

[ChessieCat]

There are many existing topics on SA.  Use a search engine and add site:survivingantidepressants.org to the search term.  Searching for breathing found these:

 

shortness-of-breath-and-other-breathing-issues

 

breathing-technique-to-help-anxiety-sleep-asthma-dry-mouth-etc

 

breathing-for-mood-and-well-being-yoga-wim-hoff-and-other-techniques

 

I think that some of the issue may be actually anxiety causing it.  When I am anxious I tend to only breathe shallowly.  Learning and using non drug coping techniques can be helpful.  I have found that doing concentrated / controlled deep breathing whilst focusing on the movements of my body when I breathe in and out has helped when it happens to me.  If I am driving and unable to do it fully, I just tell myself to chill or you are okay and take a few slow, deeper breaths.

 

This is labeled diagram on this excellent website which shows what happens to the body when we are anxious:

 

https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/anxiety.htm

 

 

Edited March 26, 2021 by ChessieCat

[Fallensoul]

Will take a look there and search for sensorimotor obsessions:

 

This is what it is:

International OCD Foundation | When Automatic Bodily Processes Become Conscious: How to Disengage from “Sensorimotor Obsessions” (iocdf.org)

Will try your thechnique tomorrow when it pops up again, thanks!

[Fallensoul]

Sadly I haven't found many content about this specific issue. I hoped to find some tips.
Btw, I got this issue due our fantastic antidepressants, otherwise I was never able to think into so much insanity...

I hope I am able to get back at my factory default brain instead of this psychothic insanity one. (it scares me allready a bit less and I'm even laugh at it sometimes, so like, it's all through the drugs)).

[Jennings]

I feel my Neuro emotions are my normal thoughts, well I guess most peoples normal thoughts.  However instead of letting the thoughts go I ruminate on them. 

 

For example, everyone worries about losing their job, the death of a loved one, their own death.  But these are fleeting and the feeling passes quickly.  However, when in withdrawal, these thoughts and emotions become exaggerated.  It's horrible and relentless.  I feel trapped inside my own mind.

 

Did anyone have bad Neuro emotions that went away after a while?

[catmama]

On 3/29/2011 at 5:02 PM, Healing said:

Whenever you're having an intense, disturbing feeling, try to remind yourself that, right now -- even if it does have something to do with reality -- it is largely a neuro-emotion that you wouldn't be feeling if you were fully healed. And you *will* be fully healed. It's happening! Get ready!

I’m currently in the throes of these intense emotions. Been crying on and off all day and my emotions have been a mess. Reading this is encouraging to me even though the concept of being “fully healed” seems like an impossibility right now. 

[getofflex]

I'm experiencing neuro emotions today - neuro - paranoia.  My husband likes to tease, and I am finding myself taking offense to teasing, at times.   I was teased by bullies as a child, so I think that is triggering me.  I've discussed it with him, and shown him the first page of this thread.  My poor husband, this WD is hard for him too.  I'm also getting over another crying spell.  I do think the tears are partly from my emotions having been covered up by the psych drugs all those years.  After a crying spell, I always feel a sense of relief and lightness.  

Edited July 16, 2021 by getofflex

[mdwstrx]

@getofflex

I'm sorry you're dealing with these fake emotions. They are so real to us no? I'm having same. Two weeks ago, I was in wd normal, close to my usual happier, confident self. My last cut saw a such a change in that. Moody, sad, anxiety filled.... what the heck? 10% reductions monthly up 'til now have been manageable. Must've caught up with me because I've been slammed this last time. Praying (for us both) and holding 'til if fades back to wd normal again.

md

⛈️

 

[wantrelief]

@getofflex: I really related to your post and appreciated your openness at what has been happening for you.  You are not alone.

 

I am glad you are able to cry (I can't always although will feel that I want to so badly) and get out those emotions - that it great it brings you a sense of relief and lightness.

 

You are doing great!  Keep hanging in there - you are almost done with your taper....that is so exciting!!

[herod]

Is anyone else struggling with feelings of shame? Last winter my brain suddenly decided that a thing I did which I had been fine with up until that point, was in fact incredibly immoral and it made me feel so guilty that I thought I would implode. But it was not a big deal at all.

 

Then this spring, a moderately negative event happened in my relationship and it has filled me with so much shame that I can barely express myself to my partner. I just don't say anything. The emotion engulfs me, I can feel it in every fiber of my being.

 

Took me a few months to stop worrying about the first event. The second, is still ongoing. I realize it's no big deal, but then, for no apparent reason, the emotion returns in exactly the same state as it was.

 

The reason why I believe these two events are due to withdrawal is because the onset is so sudden, and when I manage to realize they are no big deal, the shame inevitably returns like a dark cloud in my life.

[Happy2Heal]

I don't know that I'd call what I had shame, although it came close, I think....

during WD recovery, all of my feelings were really strong.

I would have feelings of deep regret and remorse over the silliest stuff- even things that had happened a long time in the past

I also worried that people knew about this shameful thing and then got anxiety over it... but I have a trauma history so this paranoia was more related to my past trauma I believe, than to WD recovery.

 

I think it's part of the recovery process.... My thinking is that psych meds dull or damp down your emotions so when they come back, they can be very intense.

 

not sure if that helps any. I hope so. 

 

 

I hope your emotions settle down soon! 

 

[ChessieCat]

4 hours ago, herod said:

Is anyone else struggling with feelings of shame?

 

There are many existing discussions about various topics on the SA website.  The easiest way to find them is to use a search engine and add site:survivingantidepressants.org to the search term.  I searched for the word "shame":

 

shame-guilt-regret-and-self-criticism

 

[Kat66]

My God these neuro emotions are tough. They feel so REAL. I do worry my intense anger and irritability will get me into trouble sometimes and I'll end up punching not the wall, but..... Neuro depression and fear have taken root too. I am just one big ball of raw nerves. It helps to journal all this out on here....I hope that's OK. Hopefully someone will read all my ranty guff and relate! Healing thoughts to everyone. x

[ChessieCat]

5 hours ago, Kat66 said:

It helps to journal all this out on here....I hope that's OK.

 

Please use your Intro topic for journaling.

 

5 hours ago, Kat66 said:

It helps to journal

 

Do you do any relaxation exercises throughout the day?

 

SA strongly encourages members to learn and use non drug coping methods.  It's a good idea to try different things.  What works for one thing might not work for another, and what works for a thing now might not work for the same thing later:

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms

[Kat66]

On 11/4/2021 at 10:57 PM, ChessieCat said:

Do you do any relaxation exercises throughout the day?

I meditate/do relaxation body scans etc every day. I listen to a lot of relaxing soundscapes on YT. These do have an effect but when things are turned up to 11 in a bad way, nothing helps, I have to be honest.

[ChessieCat]

4 hours ago, Kat66 said:

when things are turned up to 11 in a bad way, nothing helps, I have to be honest.

 

That is good that you are doing regular relaxation.  Many members of SA have times when nothing helps.

 

Please read the following:

  

On 8/9/2021 at 5:06 AM, brassmonkey said:

AAF is one of the foundations of self care.

 

AAF: Acknowledge, Accept, Float.  It's what you have to do when nothing else works, and can be a very powerful tool in coping with anxiety.  The neuroemotional anxiety many of us feel during WD is directly caused by the drugs and their chemical reactions in the brain.  Making it so there is nothing we can do about them.  They won't respond to other drugs, relaxation techniques and the like.  They do, however, react very well to being ignored.  That's the concept behind AAF.  Acknowledge, get to know the feeling involved, explore them.  Accept, These feelings are a part of you and they aren't going anywhere fast. Float, let the feeling float off as you get on with your life as best as you can.  It's a well documented fact that the more you feed in to anxiety the worse it gets.  What starts as generalized neuroemotinal anxiety can be easily blown into a full fledged panic attack just by thinking about it.

 

I often liken it to an unwanted house guest.  At first you talk to them, have conversations, communicate with them.  After a while you figure out that they aren't leaving and there is nothing you can do to get rid of them.  So you go on about your day, working around them until they get bored and leave.

 

It can take some practice, but AAF really does work.

 

There is a lot of other information around the site, a site search on AAF will bring it up.

 

 

[HopingNWaiting]

On 4/26/2021 at 3:53 PM, Jennings said:

I feel my Neuro emotions are my normal thoughts, well I guess most peoples normal thoughts.  However instead of letting the thoughts go I ruminate on them. 

 

For example, everyone worries about losing their job, the death of a loved one, their own death.  But these are fleeting and the feeling passes quickly.  However, when in withdrawal, these thoughts and emotions become exaggerated.  It's horrible and relentless.  I feel trapped inside my own mind.

 

Did anyone have bad Neuro emotions that went away after a while?

 

@Jennings

This is what I am currently going through.  I can't stop thinking about time, death and being alone.  The feelings are so magnifying that I feel as they will cripple me.

[jonah2001]

When the emotions come back ...

 

Hey guys, does anybody experienced, when the emotions come back, that they "hit" really brutal? 

 

I didn't had emotions for more or less 7 month after CT. And now, out of nowhere i feel all day long extrem intense feelings.

 

Like i am hyper emotional..

One minute i cry, than i feel emotional pain, than i feel unwell... mostly very terrible emotions. But i couldn't cry before that "stage".

 And now i am crying all day long. It is way harder than without emotions, but heeling i guess isn't always nice. 

 

Has somebody experienced similar ? 

 

Edited April 8, 2022 by ChessieCat
added intro topic title before merging with existing topic

[00ColdTurkey]

I'm wondering if something in your brain has healed enough that it's now restored your ability to feel these negative emotions. Things which have been held back and suppressed by WD and antidepressants. 

 

Because you might've not felt these negative emotions for so long, they're coming out more intense. You may even be more sensitive towards anything which can provoke a negative reaction. 

 

Hopefully within time it should begin to settle down, and not be as intense. I believe there's many people who have experienced the same thing 

[Nicros]

I started having emotions the lower my daily dose of escitalopram got. It was (and is) really unsettling and takes considerable strength to control myself. What's the worst is that I suddenly seem to realize that 24 years of life have passed by and I am still here sitting like I am in my twenties.

[jonah2001]

@00ColdTurkey 

Thank you so much for your answer. Yes, i am pretty sure there is something healed in my brain, and now my brain is able to produce emotions again. But it's definitely not right calibrated at the moment. But i am sure it will get better!

[jonah2001]

@Nicros

Hi, thank you so much for your answer! 

I wasn't that long on AD (7 month, enough to make me suffer hard).. but in my experience those pills just let us feel okay. We don't feel good or bad.. Everything is okay. But the normal ups and downs are deleted. 

 

And in my case those ups and downs are coming back now. But it's definitely to much! But I guess it will level out. 

 

Normally those emotions are telling me what is good and what not. 

 

For example when I feel unwell in a situation, I try to get out of it.. 

 

Now I feel extremely unwell... but for no reason! And that's extremely annoying, because you can't do anything, just wait it out.. 

[Nicros]

Hi, sorry I haven't been here for a while.

 

Yes, the ups and downs are definitely coming back for me too now and, to be hontest, I am starting to hate it.

Hope I will get used to them after a while. The downs are most annoying and I am sometimes thinking of starting medication again.

But I am not yet feeling bad enough for that.

[00ColdTurkey]

Does this sound like neuro-emotions? I keep going into these depressive states where no matter what anyone says to me, no matter how caring or positive, it doesn't break me out of the cycle. And I just fall deeper until I'm somewhat catatonic... 

 

Also another thing. I keep on reacting to things weirdly. For example, I've always had tough luck with friends, but usually I'd be able to shrug off any depression and be able to smile again. But this time I'm constantly obsessing over the nasty stuff people have said and done to me. All of the questions unanswered, etc. 

 

And the thing is, I'm not doing this. I'm not consciously wanting to THINK about this. I keep trying to be positive and think about things that aren't so sh*t. But my brain keeps freaking out, having existential crisis, and my self worth goes down and I can't break out and feel so much anxiety and dread. 

 

I'm hoping it goes away soon... it isn't me... I hate that I can't access my happiness... I hate that I'm being terrorised by my own brain 

 

Edit: also whenever I do feel some joy, this HUGE WAVE of anxiety rushes over me and involuntarily blocks me from feeling that... it's driving me mental

[Ariel]

Hi @00ColdTurkey

 

I'm sorry you're having such a hard time. It can be so very difficult, I know. 

 

Everything you describe sounds normal for withdrawal. I cannot be sure exactly what you mean, but what I'm hearing is that you're experiencing withdrawal-related anxiety and panic (intrusive thoughts, hypersensitivity to perceived threat, etc. are related to this), as well as withdrawal-related "depressive states" (to use your words), characterized by apathy, anhedonia, emotional anesthesia, etc. Unfortunately, all of this is common throughout withdrawal. Fortunately, it does get better with time. 

 

Perhaps it could be useful to read through the following help topics:

 

Apathy, anhedonia, emotional numbness, emotional anesthesia:

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/2873-apathy-anhedonia-emotional-numbness-emotional-anesthesia/#comment-5105

 

Repetitive, intrusive thoughts, rumination, and increased panic:

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/9671-withdrawal-causing-repetitive-or-intrusive-thoughts-rumination-and-increased-panic/

 

Dealing with emotional spirals:

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/13492-dealing-with-emotional-spirals/

 

Ways to cope with daily anxiety:

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/13669-ways-to-cope-with-daily-anxiety/

 

Non-drug techniques to cope with emotional symptoms:

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/1112-non-drug-techniques-to-cope-with-emotional-symptoms/

 

"Change the channel" - dealing with cognitive symptoms

https://www.survivingantidepressants.org/topic/846-change-the-channel-dealing-with-cognitive-symptoms/

 

Since you posted your question here in this help topic, I'm guessing you might already be familiar with these, but they may bear repeating. 

There are many phenomenal resources on SA. As helpful as the many threads are, it's also a lot of information. Even a non-withdrawal brain would probably feel overwhelmed trying to take it all in. At various stages of withdrawal, certain topics will be more applicable to your experience than others. Then something changes and you find it useful to go back and revisit posts that you read at the very beginning, or maybe to look for new ones. I find myself continuously reading and re-reading the same threads, learning new tools and being reminded of what I read before but forgot in the interim. I've bookmarked many of my favorite topics to make them easy to find. I'm also constantly discovering new-to-me subjects and discussions that are relevant to whatever it is I'm dealing with in the moment. 

Another thing -- it took me a while to get the hang of the terminology and apply it to my embodied experience. What X symptom is called here may not necessarily resonate with our internal labeling of it, as the way we use words and language, and the way/what we feel in our bodies, is to a large extent subjective. In your post you ask:

2 hours ago, 00ColdTurkey said:

Does this sound like neuro-emotions?

 

and there may be differing opinions on whether what you describe is that which has been assigned this or that name. Ultimately, beyond a certain convenience and facility of communication, it doesn't matter that much what something is called exactly. It's possible to feel the changing sensations occurring in the body, recognize any discomfort that arises, and apply healthy, non-drug coping strategies as needed. In the long run, a lot of one's success with coping techniques is trial and error, by which I mean, there's a learning curve. Developing the ability to match the feeling in one's body to an appropriate self-soothing response will cultivate self-knowledge and self-relationship on a level more profound than the verbal plane. And now, I'm off to practice this some more myself. 

 

Best of luck to you,

A.

 

 

 

 

[00ColdTurkey]

@Arielthanks so much for responding. For the last 3 weeks I've been feeling borderline crazy as no matter what, I couldn't use positive or rational thought to break out of the cycle. 

 

It's distressing, because when I'm so close to breaking out of it and being happy, the anxiety rushes over forcing a memory into my head and then I'm terrified again. 

 

The resources you've shared has been a lifesaver too! It helps to put things into perspective and there's others who are going through the same battle. 

 

I can't wait to get better. 

[Pollyjay]

11 hours ago, 00ColdTurkey said:

 

 

On 4/25/2022 at 2:37 AM, 00ColdTurkey said:

Does this sound like neuro-emotions? I keep going into these depressive states where no matter what anyone says to me, no matter how caring or positive, it doesn't break me out of the cycle. And I just fall deeper until I'm somewhat catatonic... 

 

Also another thing. I keep on reacting to things weirdly. For example, I've always had tough luck with friends, but usually I'd be able to shrug off any depression and be able to smile again. But this time I'm constantly obsessing over the nasty stuff people have said and done to me. All of the questions unanswered, etc. 

 

And the thing is, I'm not doing this. I'm not consciously wanting to THINK about this. I keep trying to be positive and think about things that aren't so sh*t. But my brain keeps freaking out, having existential crisis, and my self worth goes down and I can't break out and feel so much anxiety and dread. 

 

I'm hoping it goes away soon... it isn't me... I hate that I can't access my happiness... I hate that I'm being terrorised by my own brain 

 

Edit: also whenever I do feel some joy, this HUGE WAVE of anxiety rushes over me and involuntarily blocks me from feeling that... it's driving me mental

 

@00ColdTurkey I feel so bad for you! I'm kind of going through some very similar things.  The anxiety is brutal and I have a hard time "accepting and floating " through it. Can't stop shaking and crying all the time. Yes, existential stuff. And also some new physical symptoms that are causing me to have to stay in the house. I was getting out and working outside a bit with the garden and my horse. It was helping a lot until I had to stop.  And I know what you mean about being terrorized by your own brain. It's exhausting.

 

I just want you to know that you're not alone. I'm  praying for you that all this will pass and you will have some relief and peace in your mind. 

 

Do you have anyone for support, or are you having to deal with it all alone? I hope you have someone. I'm finding that being alone while my husband is at work is making things harder.  Please know that I'm holding you close in thought. Feel free to reach out if you need to talk. I'm from England originally and my best friends are still there. 

 

((hugs to you, love))

 

Pollyjay

[Kat66]

@00ColdTurkey @Pollyjay how are you both doing?

 

I am going through the same excruciating anxiety rumination intrusive thoughts and depression. I thought it was just me but (hope you don’t mind me saying this) I gained some comfort reading that you two had/are having the same symptoms. What I hate is that they feel so real, and it was only when I came on here and read your accounts that I realised it was part of WD. I am at a very low dose (1.5mg) and apparently the neuroemotions/other symptoms get worse at this low level (great news).

 

Sending love and support xx
 

[Ariel]

@Kat66 @Pollyjay @00ColdTurkey and everyone else here

 

There's a great topic that goes behind-the-scenes of what we are experiencing, incl. neuro-emotions, and offers an explanation for why we get the symptoms we get. It's an interesting read and personally I find it very reassuring.

There are good reasons for why we feel the way we do, i.e. it's not in my head, it's just my brain! 

 

Check it out: 

What is happening in your brain?

[Kat66]

4 minutes ago, Ariel said:

@Kat66 @Pollyjay @00ColdTurkey and everyone else here

 

There's a great topic that goes behind-the-scenes of what we are experiencing, incl. neuro-emotions, and offers an explanation for why we get the symptoms we get. It's an interesting read and personally I find it very reassuring.

There are good reasons for why we feel the way we do, i.e. it's not in my head, it's just my brain! 

 

Check it out: 

What is happening in your brain?

Thanks @Ariel I’ll check that out now. I’ve not been on SA for a while and have been trying to muddle through on my own, so glad I’ve come back on and found this support just when I need it most. My god do I need it!!

[Greatful]

@Pollyjay@Kat66@00ColdTurkey

Thank you for sharing--Like Kat66 says--it's a reminder that I are not alone... sometimes it can feel like I are the only on on a deserted island.  I   suffer from the depression-obsessing thoughts-fatigue- anxiety--the depression makes it so hard to stay positive and hopeful....I know Kat66 has talked about anger--do either of you have that too?  The cold-emotionless  anger almost distain towards something.  That is frightening...You wonder if you will snap and do something to hurt someone...  

Our poor brain trying to get it right after it's chemical brain injury

[Pollyjay]

5 hours ago, Kat66 said:

@00ColdTurkey @Pollyjay how are you both doing?

 

I am going through the same excruciating anxiety rumination intrusive thoughts and depression. I thought it was just me but (hope you don’t mind me saying this) I gained some comfort reading that you two had/are having the same symptoms. What I hate is that they feel so real, and it was only when I came on here and read your accounts that I realised it was part of WD. I am at a very low dose (1.5mg) and apparently the neuroemotions/other symptoms get worse at this low level (great news).

 

Sending love and support xx
 

 

Oooh, sending love and support back, Kat66. (another Lancashire lass here) I know what you're going through.  This last two days I've been in a real a real slump.  I have to keep reminding myself that it will pass and I look at the success stories here by people who went through way worse symptoms and are now living meaningful, enjoyable lives.  I hope you soon start to get some little ( or big) windows. We are here rooting for you!  We'll get there Kat!

[00ColdTurkey]

@Kat66 hey, I'm grateful that you're feeling less alone now and found a little comfort. ☺️ Sometimes you've got to look in those little corners to find someone with the same battle. 

 

You asked both me and pollyjay to give our updates, as I'm me (lol), here's my update! I ate a CBD * see note below infused cookie earlier. I have NEVER tried CBD before, but whoa! That smallest amount has given me some great relief. I wouldn't even be writing this comment if it weren't for the cookie, I would be trembling in fear. 

 

I hope someday everyone on here wakes up one day without a single withdrawal symptom anymore. That their brain's are healed and they're free to do everything they might've not been able to do before! 

 

Sending hugs. 

 

* MOD NOTE:

What works for one member might not work for you.  SA strongly encourages members to be very cautious and to do their own research before trying anything new and if you do decide to try something, then to start with a very small dose to see how you react.

 

cannabis-marijuana-hashish-thc-cbd-cannabidiol-or-hemp-oil

 

Edited June 3, 2022 by ChessieCat
added note

[00ColdTurkey]

@Greatful oh man. I think I know the kind of cold anger you're talking about. The amount of times I've gotten the urge to yell at someone... or God Forbid pinch them... 🤢

 

Luckily I've managed to find control so they only surface as emotions and never escalated. But yikes! Why? Why does that have to happen!? 

[ChessieCat]

2 hours ago, 00ColdTurkey said:

* MOD NOTE:

What works for one member might not work for you.  SA strongly encourages members to be very cautious and to do their own research before trying anything new and if you do decide to try something, then to start with a very small dose to see how you react.

 

cannabis-marijuana-hashish-thc-cbd-cannabidiol-or-hemp-oil

 

I've added the above note to 00ColdTurkey's post about CBD.

[00ColdTurkey]

The advice added to my comment is important! Yes, the CBD oil cookie did work temporarily to stop my panicking. But as a result it has brought back some of my anhedonia...

 

Be cautious when trying anything out, because what may seem like a solution, may result in an unwanted result!