Post-procedure waves of fear and depression?

[Minissa]

I hope this one is OK to post here, and I've been helped a lot by reading the stories of others. I get myself to the dentist OK, but as I get older, this is happening with alarming regularity: The minute I'm done with anything but a routine cleaning and check-up, I get hit by waves of negative emotions. I have to come home and, if I can't actually nap, dive under the covers and curl up in a little ball, cocooning myself with all my sheets and blankets. I feel an actual emotional chill and get hit with what we used to call "the Wave" when our son was in junior high and high school, neglected his school work, and was using our credit card without permission and racking up charges for online games and food and we just couldn't find a way out. So, depression along with fear and some other negative emotions. It always passes, but it's become truly crippling to the extent I can't plan to do anything right after. Also, this happens with or without nitrous. In fact, sometimes it seems worse with, although that could be that I only ask for it with longer, more involved procedures like root canals. I finally found a really great dental practice and love all the dentists and their "ancillaries." I've wondered in part if this might be part of (please don't laugh) this empath thing I do where I either feel others' emotions or read body language so well I pick up emotions without trying, like (because who really likes going to the dentist?) am I picking up the negative vibes of the past few patients who've sat in the chair I'm using. Nitrous would make it harder to consciously put a "barrier" between one's own and others' emotions. Any thoughts? Thank you for letting me ask!

 

[Enarete]

Hi Minissa,

I am coming a bit late to this, but what you are describing sounds like a way of the body and mind processing situation of high stress. Before jumping into this a bit further, may I ask you how do you usually feel before your appointments and during them? Are you okay with dental visits or do you suffer from anxiety? And particularly, how much able to communicate do you feel during your appointments? I would be also interested, whether it is always the same or increases in intensity.

All the best wishes

 

[Minissa]

Actually, this is the only response I've gotten, so I'm grateful. I don't exactly love dental visits, but I don't go into them too terribly afraid, as many on this site seem to do. I've had a number of surgeries, so I have something to compare the level of anxiety to! I really like my dentist: good skills, personable, discusses my care plan with me so I feel like we're interacting rather than like I'm being lectured to. But afterwards, I do nearly always get these symptoms and want to just cocoon myself under my covers for the couple of hours it takes to feel better. Worse with longer procedures, and I do usually ask for nitrous and a bite block. It does seem it started maybe 10 years ago, but I'd been with this practice for quite a while before that. Maybe just a manifestation of advancing years?

 

[Enarete]

I am not sure whether this applies to you, but I would expect this kind of reaction in situations that are highly stressful or anxiety provoking but where you at the same time need to "function" and cannot really feel the stress in that given moment. It would then all get released afterwards - once you are home -and manifest as depression, exhaustion and fear.
Many years ago I have not thought I was anxious of the dentist - I got a bit nervous but could go with visits. I would have a total melt down once getting home though. In the worst stages I'd break down, sit on the floor crying and would not know why. From my view nowadays, I've just been massively stressed but very accustomed to not feel or be aware of the stress in that moment so that all the adrenaline and cortisol could only get released afterwards. It was much later as I realized how helpless I in fact felt during these visits.

 

[Lioness]

@Enarete, @Minissa,
I feel extremely tired recently after my appointments, too. The stress and sadness coming out from myself a day or two later is very upsetting for me. Maybe this state is really "just a manifestation of advancing years", like you've said, Minnissa. I sympathise with you.