GAD

I am going crazy! I am trying, really trying to help control my GAD. But my worries are driving me batty. Over the simplest of things too!

I have been taking my Klonopin again to help control this. For the most part, it shuts off the swirling thoughts. I have tried deep breathing, doing things to take my mind off matters. I wake up early and my mind goes into over drive.

What sort of things do you do to help control your anxiety? Or ease down a notch or two?

Hi Red, I am sorry to hear that your anxiety is ramped up at the moment. I also have times, when for no apparent reason, it peaks and makes me miserable.

For me, the distraction trick seems to work. If I can get busy with work, or something fun/interesting, more often than not, the anxiety passes.

That is not to say that the relaxation/breathing are not important too! It seems to be a balance between meditation and distracting activities that work best for me.

Another trick that some find helpful is 'limited constuctive worrying'. Allow yourself a certain amount of time to ruminate on things each day. Say, ten minutes set aside, for your mind to go where it will. After that time however, you will consciously redirect your worrisome thoughts to something else when they intrude. This is not easy, but with some practice it could work for you.

I hope that this heightened anxiety period passes soon...they usually do, but until then I will send out positve/peaceful thoughts and prayers:)
S.C.

Don't you hate that?  I use to wake up every morning with a mind that obviously started going long before my body.  I guess I am going to become known as the forum nutrition nag but experiment with your diet and see if any positive benefits make themselves known.  First, stop drinking caffeine, yes you will have a dull headache for 48 hours but after that you will be surprized at how calm your body feels hopefully your mind will follow.  Eat more healthy than junk food and if you are drinking alcohol and taking benzos you are certainly headed for disaster!

Keep trying to find what works for you, it can be done!

Hopefully today will be a better da for you!

Gem

Sherry,

I get horrible anxiety to the point where I start to sometimes tremble and my chest feels tight and I find it a bit hard to breathe. I just can't relax. I worry about everything but most often I worry I will never get better.

One technique that has helped me is to imagine a great big red "STOP" sign whenever I start ruminating on something, or I start worrying. Your thoughts are not in charge of you! You can take control of those thoughts and turn them into peace instead.

Gentle Hugs,

Kitt