New here and looking for advice on dealing with obsessive worry

I am a 46 year old married mother of 4. Diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder at 17, Anxiety and PTSD in my 30s and could probably be categorized as Borderline (altho I hate that blanket term and frankly find it offensive). I have been on and off meds since I was teen, starting with tricyclics (which made me sluggish and did nothing for the depression) then on to Prozac, which worked very well for many years but now seems to have hit a plateau. The depression and PTSD teand to make me always see worst case scenario in everything and that inturn causes anxiety and insomnia. I have been xanax and ambien in the past but I don't have enough self-control to not abuse them so I am stuck in a place where either i am in total drug induced oblivion or completely at the mercy of the anxiety, depression and obsessive, invasive worry. I stopped the xanax and ambien 4 months ago and the prozac only really helps to mediate the depression a tiny bit. Any ideas or suggestions?

Hi Tybee,

I am new here as well. I also suffer with anxiety, along with OCD. What are some things that you have tried besides medication? Currently, I am undergoing EMDR therapy for PTSD, so it seems like we have a bit in common. Until recently I was taking prescription meds for my anxiety; I felt like they just made me a zombie. I didn't feel like I was handling the anxiety, but instead, just zoning out so I didn't have to deal with it. My new therapist works with a holistic doctor and together, the three of us have gotten together a game plan of supplements, counseling and EMDR sessions.

The supplements have really helped me. I take one to strengthen my adrenal gland so that when stress comes on, I am able to "respond", rather than "react". I also take the organic form of lithium, lithium orotate. The lithium helps slow my brain down- instead of going 90mph, I feel like I can cope and not obsess with things as badly. Mixed with the counseling and EMDR, I am learning relaxation techniques. My favorite thing about the natural supplements is that they don't have horrible side effects like prescriptions. The supplements started working much faster than any of my scripts ever did AND they don't "zombie" me--- they work WITH my body to help me learn how to deal, not just zone out. If you are troubled by the prescriptions you have, perhaps you can find a holistic doctor in your area??

I do not know what you have tried yet, so please do not get offended if you know my suggestions will not help. Whenever I have the energy, I try to do some yoga. The deep breathing and "inner focus" really help my heart slow down. Lately, I have not really been up for yoga though. Everyone always suggests exercise when things get tough, but they don't always understand how physically tired you can get from your mental activity. Sometimes, I will lay down with some quiet music on (spa-ish music) and just breathe, sort of like meditating. It's really difficult to just "clear" my brain, so sometimes, this backfires. All that quietness makes me more aware of what I'm feeling and that I'm not in control, so when that happens, I will count my breathing. No, not hold and count my breaths, just literally count them. I feel like this keeps my brain focused on one thing and one thing only, so that I can start to relax. My heart stops beating as fast, my stomach isnt as sick feeling, and I don't feel as overwhelmed.

One last thing I have started doing is taking my dog for play time outside-- maybe something you can do since you won't always be alone because of your children. In the beginning of the week, I force myself to set a date in the future, normally on weekends, when I will take him for a walk or just outside time. During the week, I will decide if I'd like to read and/or get a playlist ready for the play date. In my post, you will read that I have a depressed partner. Whenever I set these dates, I ask if her dog may come also, that way, the dogs can play together; possibly your children can play together. It keeps them busy and not demanding attention from me, so that I can just enjoy simple things. Having that date set during the week has made me look forward to "me" time. It gives me a scheduled time when I can reflect on the anxiety and OCD OR not reflect on it all and just let my brain be a pile of goo.

I will be happy to "listen" to you :)

I didn't realize that dbt sessions were so expensive. I do have insurance so it helps a lot. I understand about living paycheck to paycheck. It is hard. But we do what we have to to get by.

I believe that anything to make us better takes work. We have to do it. I hope that the book helps you and that you practice it. I believe there is something about meditation in it too. Could have it mixed up with another book. But meditation helps to quiet the mind. It is something you might want to look into.

I am sorry about the ptsd. A few of us have been through that. We all have our own way of healing and dealing with it. But it can effect us for a long time. I hope that you are on a healing journey with yours.

I konw what you mean about your shoulders up to your ears and your hands curled up in the mornings. I have fibromyalgia. When I get pain I get tense. When I get tense, my shoulders are up around my ears. I do use a bed buddy that helps. You heat it up in the microwave and wrap it in a towel and put around your neck. The moist heat relieves a lot of the pain. So that is something you might want to think about. It feels so good on your neck. I found something that is like a vest almost. That you heat in the microwave. I got a couple of them for some friends for Christmas. I was too stupid to get one for me... I forgot about myself. So I think I am going to order another one too.

I hope that you feel better soon. I have chronic shoulder pain too, so I know what you go through. I am glad that you have found some relief from the chiropractor. Take care...

Hugs, Karen