Anxiety Relapse - need encouragement

Anyone have an anxiety relapse when reducing clonazepam? I was doing excellent and reduced my clonazepam from .5mg to .25mg for two weeks, then down to .125 mg for about a week.
Last week I dropped my husband off at the airport, came home, and started thinking "what if my anxiety comes back?" And, just like that, the anxiety crept in. It has remained steady throughout the week. I've even broken down crying a few times.
I went back to my .5mg daily right away last week, but it's not helping as much as I thought it was. I seem to be suffering a relapse. I have an appointment with my therapist next Sunday, but am worried about holding myself together for work, I work a demanding job as an HR Consultant, and being strong for my kids.
Any words of wisdom, love, and success stories would be SO HELPFUL to me. Thanks in advance!!

You put a smile on my face S.C.

I have done some mindfulness work in the past, but have a hard time with it when the anxiety creeps up.

If you don't mind me asking, how did you find relief from this disorder?

Chelle9,

I also find mindfulness to be most difficult when my anxiety is heightened. Have you ever tried yoga? It's a little easier to practice yoga than meditation when anxious as there's something to actively do, coupled with a focus on the breath.

I don't go to classes, or anything like that. I follow videos, some as short as five minutes, others half an hour, on Youtube. A search for "Yoga for anxiety" will probably yield you decent results! Like meditation, it's something that should be practiced regularly for it's full benefits, but I've found that even a single yoga session, or two, grounds me a little bit.

EDIT: I second Hibee's point on a regular mindfulness practice. Definitely worth while.

Post Edited (TICHWA) : 4/4/2017 8:29:30 AM (GMT-6)

I have also decided to be more open about my condition. I really struggle with admitting I have a mental illness. I don't want to be on meds...I just don't want this life.

I'm trying to accept it, but constantly find myself wishing to be normal.

I went to work today and made it 5 hours before a major attack hit. I told my boss what happened and she was so amazingly kind.

She reminded me that I was an outstanding employee, but all I could do was think that I am letting everyone done.

Chelle,

Sorry to hear about your attack. When I was at my worst with anxiety my GP spoke to me firmly, and said to me ... "You won't always feel this way."

I know it's of little comfort when you're having panic attacks, fearing fear it's self, and feeling generally miserable. But I find it's crucial to realize that the way you're feeling now isn't permanent, and though it can be an uphill climb to get out of that hole, there are ways back to that "normal" that you speak of.

The best thing I've ever done with this stuff is just admit to myself that I have anxiety and a little depression. Then when I get anxious or panicky, I don't play the "what does this all mean?" game in my head. Rather I just hunker down and wait until it passes, which it always does and then I go down the road usually forgetting it happened.

And just because you admit that you have anxiety doesn't mean you should be hard on yourself, just treat it like any other long-term condition (diabetes, high blood pressure, etc...). Anxiety likely has a biological cause like other ailments anyway, not due to poor thinking or habits.

Another good reason to admit to yourself you have anxiety is that it may lower your overall levels of worry. One of the worst parts of anxiety / panic is worrying about the worry...or panicking about the panic!

Hang in there!