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Posted 11/28/2014 5:58 PM (GMT 0)
Hi there--

I normally hang out in the Crohn's forum. I've struggled with anxiety with my illness, and really I think my whole life. My cat escaped from home last week and I haven't been able to find her. She did this two years ago, and when she was lost then I fell and bruised my ribs and it took 46 days before I got her home.

Since she got out, I've been more or less in a constant state of anxiety. I'm weepy, have a hard time focusing my thoughts, and think about her obsessively and replay the events of her getting out over and over. I feel like the last experience of trying to find her and get her home isn't helping either. If I don't seem to calm my thoughts down, then my heart starts racing and I feel nauseous. Xanax doesn't seem to be helping me as much in the past. It seems to just make me sleepy. I keep listening to some guided meditations and those do help.

Just wondering if you have any other suggestions for me. Thanks!
Posted 11/28/2014 6:12 PM (GMT 0)
Hi SP and welcome!

I am so sorry to hear about your dear kitty! :( It is indeed anxiety inducing to have a beloved pet go missing.

I have had this happen, and I can tell you that it is an awful feeling...but the good new is that both times....the cat came back! (much like the song!)

It is postive that previously yours did as well...so hold onto that! Cats have an uncanny way of returning to their homes...even after being away for some time...and covering long distances.

Chances are though, that she is close, and simply 'holed up' for now...until she gets her bearings, can relax and make her return trip home.;)

What are you doing to help the process? Have you made signs? Put up an alert with the local shelters, FB, contacted neighbors ect? Doing this will reap the obvious reward of possibly finding her...but beyond that, it will make you feel pro-active in the search.

While you are waiting...here are some good coping skills to try out. They come from our Resources on the main page, 1st thread. Give them a try for overall decompression.

Best wishes my friend...may your kitty come home TODAY! Keep us posted, and come and talk with us anytime.:)

Scaredy Cat
Posted 11/28/2014 6:21 PM (GMT 0)
Like you noticed, you're obsessing. The best advice Ive received... is not to listen or feed into those thoughts, to think of them more as a chemical imbalance in you're brain, oppose to a real threat. I know that is impossibly difficult, but it does work eventually. I've also found when it comes to obsessions, repetitive thinking and the like benzos are not very helpful either... Hope you find you're cat soon.
Posted 11/28/2014 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks everyone.

I've got signs up, and know the neighbors in my condo complex will call if they see her. I told one of my neighbors and she let me know she's talked to several other folks to keep their eyes out. I keep looking around for her. Last time it took 7-10 before I saw her. It sounds like it's not uncommon for cats to hole up until they are super hungry and then come out. It was just so hard to catch her last time; she didn't come back on her own, and she evaded the trap I tried to set as well. I'll get her back, I know. It's just getting to the end!

I'll check out the resources and see what else I can try to keep myself calm. It's good to know the benzos might not help with quieting obsessive thinking.

Thanks for the support!
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