The Roller Coaster of Ups and Downs - Anxiety

Good days and bad days are part of life in general. We just react worse when suffering from anxiety/depression or pretty much any other condition you can think of when we have bad days. At least that's my opinion on it.

I agree, it is the apprehension that puts us in a state of doubt or alertness (I think). This apprehension is coming from the bad experience we have had, and although the worst of it is over with, a link between low level anxiety or down mood and catastrophe has been made in our minds. I am not sure how to break this link however. I think time is what is needed. Mean while, I go to therapy etc... to get the support I need which is like a double edge sword, it helps me but at the same time, it keeps anxiety at forefront giving it more attention.
Night, and Mom, what is your good and bad day cycles? Mine is like 8-9 good days and then 3-4 bad days.

Thanks
Lexa

Typically, I'll have 3 or 4 good days followed by up to 5 bad days.

The past week though has generally been more positive thanks to the approach I've been espousing in every thread I feel I can be helpful in - just letting my bad feelings be in the knowledge I cannot be physically hurt beyond mild discomfort (nausea and cramps from being tense, or a headache).

I go to therapy 2-3 times a week, I know it is too much. One is CBT and the other two are just talk therapy.
So to be clear, I have Great, Good, Hard, and Very Hard days.
On my Great days, I am happy, Positive, Motivated, funny, joking around. Maybe a bit of anxiety for one or two hours in the morning or during lunch time.
On my Good days, I have some down mood or anxiety in the morning (Level 1-3 on scale of 10, 10 being a full blown panic attack), but it goes away by around 1:00 or 2:00 pm (3 is uncomfortable for me despite it being low level for most)
On my Hard days, I feel down, hopeless and anxiety sticks around until 6:00 or 7:00 pm. It sucks
On my Very Hard Days, I am in tears, feel very hopeless, no single positive thought is in my head. I still make it to work, but really struggling.

Very Hard Days was how I was for 3-4 months every single day due to being on Zoloft and it not agreeing with me (prior to Zoloft, I had just developed some low level anxiety, doctor asked me to try Zoloft). Klonopin saved my life at that time.

So my Great days are about 50-60% of days, Good days are about 10-18%, Hard days are the remainder. Every so often, I have Very Hard days, like Yesterday was rough.

I think you are still ultra sensitive, so I guess I agree with them. I KNOW that is an issue for me. The first inclination of something being "off", I'm off and running. Though it is diminishing, I still don't like feeling out of control.

I am a huge advocate for therapy. I think each person is different as to how much therapy (or how often) they need. I think it's a personal choice, just like medication. I started at twice a week and am down to once a month now. Has your therapist suggest cutting back at all?

Hi

Yes I think we all have good and bad days and on your road to recovery setbacks can happen so it's important to take each day as it comes and live in the moment the best you can and keep taking baby steps and as SC mentioned the good days will start to outnumber the bad.

Hibee

LH,

Try looking at it this way...

Couldn't everyone benefit from coping skills for lowering anxiety? All people really should be practicing the principles of Mindfulness and stress relief!

Try to view is as something you choose to do, rather than have to do...

...and something that gives you an advantage that you otherwise might have not known about if not for the anxiety.

As far as not comparing your situation to others? Realizing for one that everyone has some form of struggle in their lives is essential. We all tend to idealize other's situations, but the truth is we all have issues...every person...Anxiety is just your personal hurdle. It is no worse or better than the guy next door...just different. (Or not! You may know many people who sufferer anxiety...unbeknownst to others!)

With support,

S.C.