I would usually post on the Bipolar threads. I read another post on the Anxiety section and it seemed more appropriate for me right now. I would describe my state as general anxiety. I have suffered anxiety in the past, but that was anxiety about doing certain things. I went through an anxiety management class and the techniques helped. This general anxiety is more pervasive and I have no coping mechanisms. I just keep going best I can.

I struggle a lot of the time. I isolate myself more and more. I avoid social situations. I struggle to feed myself (even though I have followed a diet for a long time and I can do it). I put off shopping and run out of supplies. I have to be honest, in the hope that I can be honest with myself. I wear the same clothes for ages. I don't shower very often. I sometimes forget to brush my hair. If I see no one, I may not do it all day. My personal hygiene is very poor. My situation is reminiscent of being depressed for a long time in the past. I happily hide away from the world. I struggle to get up in the morning and I am happy to go to bed early. Last evening I went to bed at about 7.30pm. I only sleep 7 hours , so I woke at 2.30am !! I laid awake ( I think) until about 7.30am. It didn't seem like 5 hours and I may have dozed off. I sometimes find it hard to differentiate sleep from waking time. It may be due to the seroquel.

I got up, made coffee and ate some breakfast. My mood has been swinging wildly and at times I was almost crying. I have stayed close to my computer. It acts as a security blanket. The TV is on in the background for company.

I would appreciate any suggestions for coping with this general anxiety. It is so disabling. I have to see my pdoc in January to talk about alternative medicines. The PRN of seroquel is only partially effective. It just mellows me out and I sometimes sleep.

I hope I have been honest enough. I think sometimes we are not totally honest with ourselves or even our on-line friends. I think we should try to be more honest.