Anxiety Interferring with Life

Hello all! I have generalized anxiety disorder, for which I've been treated for the last three years though I've had it since I was very young. My biggest problem is that while I do many little things to combat the anxiety, and they all help in small ways, I continue having feelings of being completely overwhelmed and unable to deal with and process all the stressors of life - full time job, part time school, family, husband, etc. I would LOVE to hear from anyone who feels this way too.

I've been on daily medication for about three years now, first Lexapro and then Zoloft. I initially had good luck with them, but then their effects wear off after awhile. My psychiatrist increases the dose, I feel better, then it happens again. I use Xanax as needed, but it makes me so tired I can hardly function. Has anyone had experiences like this with medication? Any suggestions?

I tried therapy in the past, and while I felt really comfortable with the therapist, I didn't feel like I got anything out of it that I could take outside the office and use in daily life. I started practicing yoga about 2 months ago, and it's the same thing; I feel great when I'm at the studio in practice, but the minute I leave I feel crushed again.

I know part of my symptoms stem from the negative environment at my job, but unfortunately I haven't been able to find a different one. I've done my best to cope, but I am now feeling like I just can't do it anymore. I would really like to quit my job or work part time, but my husband doesn't see that as an option financially. Also, I am having more anxiety in situations that never bothered me before, like social situations. The only place I feel comfortable now is my home, and I am afraid I will wake up one morning and physically not be able to leave. Has this every happened to anyone? How did you deal with it?

Thank you for reading,
Alison

Alison

 

Hello and I am Kitt.  Reading your post was like reading chapters out of my own life.  I really did not want to go to therapy but I got to a point where I would beg for someone to help me as meds alone did not do the job.

I have probably seen 5-6 therapists in the past 31 years; some I liked and we got work done and a couple were a poor fit for me so I chose to stop therapy with them.

We may have anxiety and depression but fighting and advocating for ourselves is still part of what we must do to get better.

I had many years where I was sustained on meds and did well and than I would have mini-meltdowns and had to have a "mental health" lift.  In November of 2005 I had a major depressive event and chose to take early retirement.  I spent many hours trying to fight my way out of the deep, dark tunnel but with over a years work of intense therapy and med adjustments I am OK now.  Remember the person we are right now is who we are; you cannot go back in time but you can go forward, one little step at a time.

Alison there is not a human being on this earth that could not bennefit from a little therapy once in a
while, kind of a presonality tune up! Peace

Larry ***

Alison,
Check with your doctors office and ask them if they have a group they can recommend to you. When I made the appointment with mine, they asked if I wanted male or female. Don't be shy about which you are more comfortable with. It will make the sessions more successful. Good Luck!

Lisa