I hear you ((((((((((Clive)))))))))) and I can relate to so much of this. I used to think Panic Attacks were the worst (and they are!!) but I had under-estimated the insidious nature of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. As you say here, it pervades everything.

Whereas panic attacks have a beginning and an end, GAD is continuous and very limiting and debilitating. Thank you for sharing about it here so honestly. It does help, I think, to share with people who understand.

I don't necessarily isolate at home, because I don't necessarily feel any safer at home than anywhere else. But even though I go out and do things, I am very much locked into my own little world and I am perpetually pre-occupied with how badly I am feeling physically. Also, the things I do are very limited and I do understand what you say here about a "security blanket". If only it really was though!! What I find is that the very routines I create for myself to try and make myself feel safe, just end up compounding the problem, and, in the long, run, make my anxiety worse.

I'm glad you're going back to see your pdoc about alternative medications. I'm planning on doing this too. It's VERY hard to push ourselves to do things if we feel physically ill as a result of the anxiety. It's like having the flu and trying to continue on as normal. You can only do it for so long.....

I know there is more to it than meds, but I do think that when the GAD has reached unbearable levels, it is important to try and get some pharmaceutical help. I have tried EVERYTHING else in terms of non-pharmaceutical approaches: therapy, exercise, meditation, relaxation exercises, breathing exercises, journaling, dietary supplements, eliminating stimulants from my diet etc, etc, etc, etc. I definitely think these things are really important, but, for me personally, they have not been enough to get the GAD under control.

I love the thread you started about Daily Goal setting. And I love that you are being so honest about all of this and sharing here. Thank you so much for that. We are on this journey together and it feels good to support each other!!!! Thank you ((((((Clive))))))