Avatar Posted by msup1 391 days ago (Question)
My wife has been overtaken by fear and anxiety. It mostly involves fear of dying. She is afraid to go to sleep because she thinks she won't wake up. She has been hospitalized twice in the last three months, basically due to massive panic attacks. There is paranoia and delusions as well. She gets very angry with me when I tell her she is having delusions. Sometimes she gets physical with me. She tried to take medication, but she did not like the side effects. I only just got her to see a psychiatrist last week. The problem is that she is afraid to open up about what is really troubling her. I'm very concerned because I have found notes around the house talking about dying and not being able to be with her family anymore. I'm not concerned about suicide at this point, but rather her leaving the house and disappearing. She has tried to do that on a number of occasions, but I have stopped her. When she has dreams, she thinks they really happened when she wakes up. I can't seem to convince her that they were just dreams. She thinks that people are going to come and get her in the middle of the night and kill her. I would love any advice on what else I can do for that I have not already done. I hate seeing her this way everyday. I love her and want to help her.


Answers

Written by Simcha 391 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

I'm really sorry that you have to deal with all of this. It must feel very lonely, but I guarantee you that you are not alone in this situation. Many others have similar situations and have made it through to the other side, so I'm sure you can get through this too.

My first thoughts are that your wife is dealing with much more than panic attacks. You didn't mention what her exact diagnosis are, but it sounds like a psychotic disorder of some kind has taken root. Diagnosis are really important to know because proper treatment depends a great deal on proper diagnosis. How long has your wife been experiencing the symptoms you described?

I would be watchful for suicidal ideation or suicidal intent, as you don't know the entire content of her mind and she is currently a threat to herself and possibly to others (not homicidal per se, but maybe she might feel like she is being defensive and actually hurt someone). You will not be able to watch her every minute, and even if possible, it wouldn't be help her be able to overcome her delusional, anxiety-ridden state.

I'm not a gigantic fan of psychiatry alone; a good psychologist for weekly to bi-weekly therapy is a definite must. The therapist can collaborate with a psychiatrist on an outpatient basis, as long as she isn't an immediate threat or uncontrollable and about to become one. I would talk with your wife and be direct with her like you were with us, and tell her you made an appointment with a psychologist (for this week, tomorrow or next day preferably), and that she is going to go (and you can go with her).

Hopefully she will take your conversation with her as love, but in the event that she refuses to go (make sure you have the appointment first), you need to make sure she is safe. In that case, I would call up her psychiatrist and tell them what is going on and ask him what your options are. I don't think the psychiatric hospital has been much help to her so far, but at the very least they can keep her safe for 48-72 hours until you and her treatment team can figure something out.

Remember that there is a lot of different medications, and having side effects as a reason to quit altogether should never be the answer. Try different medications, different doses, and a more preventative, proactive treatment plan. Don't just wait until it explodes and then react, because so far that strategy isn't working (and it really almost never does). Please take care of yourself.

Written by Edahn 390 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

It sounds like she's become paranoid and psychotic, not just anxious. Your number one priority should be to stabilize her behavior with medication. Show her that you care, ask the doctor for help, whatever it takes to earn her trust. Don't try to be sneaky, it'll just backfire. Good luck. We're pulling for you.

Written by Clyde 386 days ago Rating: 0 | Rate Answer: + -

It does indeed sound like she is having anxiety issues and paranoid and psychotic issues, but the best thing to do is to let her doctor know.

Please also practice good self-care and take care of yourself.

Best,

Clyde


Log in to answer or register here.