Still have ups and downs, need some positive support

Hi everyone,
I need some positive support please. I have been dealing with an episode of high anxiety for 9 months. I have been on 20mg of Lexapro for 2 1/2 months now and 1mg of Klonopin. I also do CBT and talk therapy.
I have seen huge improvements in the past 2 months, back at work and have more "good" to "great" days than "not so good days" to "plain bad days".
But I still have morning anxiety at least 3 days a week that lasts for 1/2 hour after I wake up, terrible feeling, and then bad days that I feel down, depressed and anxious. Today is one of those days. It tends to get better by the afternoon.
Once I have one of these "bad" days, I feel helpless again and discard all my improvements.
Has anyone else experience such ups and downs during recovery from anxiety and secondary depression that is caused by anxiety? Is this normal part of recovery?
On my great days, I might still have a bit of morning anxiety, but I am totally capable all day and feel pretty happy and accomplished. On my bad days, I am still capable to doing work etc... but feel hopeless.
I do not want to increase my medication. My doctor tells me the same thing as he sees things are in the upward trend.
Any advice please?

Ups and downs in Recovery is totally normal. In fact, it's normal in regular life!!

On those days, I just try to remember how far I have come from those horrible days of last summer and I can usually get out of the funk by afternoon. I think I'm still sensitized, and when I feel off, I still think I could go back "there". I believe it will eventually go away.

I'm glad you are doing so much better though!! Sounds like our bouts started around the same time. I'm going on 9 months too.

Mornings have always been the worst part of the day for me as well. All I can say is to continue your therapy and push forward.

I have been feeling low levels of anxiety for several months now. Your doctor is right about it sounding as though you are in an upward trend. later in hindsight you will agree.

I remember having the exact same feelings as you about my bad days. Every small bit of anxiety seems like you are about to tumble right back to the bottom and you forget about the progress. This is the nature of our sickness.

Depression is very similar to anxiety and being in a constant sate of anxiety can certainly cause depression; it has for me.

What helped me with my anxious mornings is knowing that at the end of the day it would be better. I would stop and imagine stepping into my door after the day at work and that would calm me down.

stay strong

Lex,

Recovery is a journey...and healing is not always a linear line!

Be patient with yourself and the process.

Keep up with your coping skills, and never stop seeking learning new ways to manage your anxiety with new ones!

Keep posting with us for support....

You will reach your goals!! ;)

S.C.

Not sleeping well has my anxiety high. Pain is also another factor for me. I think that we make progress and then a set back makes up forget all the progress and think that it is coming back to stay forever. This will only happen if we allow it. Morning anxiety or night time anxiety seems to be my worst so i make myself relax and breath and tell myself that everything will be fine after I get done doing what I need to do. Stay strong and your head high.

I must say I'm in the same boat! I've been on this med for over 4 months and although I have alot of good days, I too struggle with some nasty ones too. Today is one of them. It's difficult when you are experiencing it, but we have to try and remember that this day will pass. I'm trying to look at these days as a challenge to use some coping skills.
I hope your week turns around for you
! !
Be well, Lisa

Some of the people I know who have had anxiety and recovered completely dealt with it for a year and it slowly disappeared from their lives. Some never took medication nor did therapy. I am hoping I can get over it sooner than that since I am doing everything in my control to help it.

Panda, I don't discount my experience. I wished to GOD that I never had to deal with this. But I have to come acceptance of this. But from what I understand, this is a temporary thing and in most cases, it goes away with time and treatment. Some people deal with illnesses much worse and longer lasting.
I have come a long way in just the past 2 months. I socialize more often, work more effectively and sleep better. This last mile is rough to get through however. I guess there is a saying that last mile is always the hardest to get through.
I am not sure if it is my confidence or what that causes me to have anxiety in the AM or on a weekend with no plans, or at times, just eating lunch with colleagues. Most times, the levels are around 1-2 on a scale of 10, but I have a hard time accepting even such low levels when I had none in these same exact situations.
I just started a series of medication with "headspace" app called "acceptance". It teaches you to meditate with the feelings and symptoms and accept them as part of you until the brain discards them. I hope that helps even more.

Lexa