[Lauren1214]

I know that people with GAD mostly worry about everyday routine things (or at least that's what all the books say!), but I worry about things like cancer and old age (i'm 32) and various disabilities... lately, my obsessive thinking has been out of control. Fighting the thoughts doesn't seem to help, and when I think of my T, instead of feeling encouraged, I get even more scared because I'm convinced she's going to get cancer and die. So i can't even really reach out to her, because hearing her voice is too painful at those moments... it's like a huge movie screen that takes over reality at those moments and I can't make it go away, I can't convince myself that it's only make-believe...I go on doing the things I need to do, and put on an act for my husband, but inside I'm falling apart, thinking I can't go on living like this... what do i do? How do I get rid of obsessive thoughts? I started taking zoloft a few weeks ago, but it hasn't kicked in yet... do you guys know if it's supposed to help with this? I'd appreciate any feedback, thanks!!!

[jmo531]

Lauren,

I can totally relate. I have OCD so my thought will run and run and run until my brain can no longer keep up. Have you discussed your fears with your T? I can tell you from personal experience, the more you try to fight these thoughts, the worse it can get. You have to face them, head on.

You might want to try doing this. When you have the thought, recognize it, dont judge it. Know that it is only a thought and not reality. I know this can be difficult because the thoughts cause so much pain and agony. We (ppl with panic disorder) have a hard time letting the thoughts just be thoughts. We tend to obsess and worry about these thoughts which push us right back into a panic attack. This is the vicious circle.

Talk to your T. Explain to her how your feeling. So much better getting these thoughts out in the open. Dont be ashamed or embarressed either. It is part of the illness. Maybe meds needs to be changed, tweaked or more time to work. I am not sure, Im not a Doc and I have never taken that med. I currently take Effexor XR. It works OK. I still think there must be something out there that works better or maybe its me that needs more work. LOL. Who knows. Take care and please keep us posted.

[hereiam]

I have GAD too, and I just wanted to say I completely understand. Completely. I don't know how to help you though, because unfortunately, I'm still looking for answers. I know my T, when I went, told me to think of a stop sign or concentrate on useless things like counting the buttons on a shirt or tile walls or something. Just to get your mind of whatever you're obsessing about. It never helped me, but it might help you. Good luck.

[Lauren1214]

Jmo and yesitsme, thanks for the replies and the suggestions! And thanks for telling me you understand, it helps A LOT to know it's not just me... Jmo, you're so rght in that fighting the thoughts is useless. I'll try to do what you said (noticing without judging) and see how it goes. Yesitsme, I tried the stop sign, too, and it did nothing. zilch. :-( Let's keep looking for coping ways, I guess. I absolutely adore my T, but sometimes her ideas just don't work... eh, she's only human, and she tries very hard.

Jmo, I do talk to my T about my fears, including my fears about her. I usually feel bad afterwards, because I'm afraid I might've depressed her or made her really nervous. Sort of contaminated her with my fears, you know... then, of course, I get obsessive about that. Why not?

Well, hopefully the zoloft will kick in soon. I'll let you guys know if it's helpful. Thanks again, and take care. Lauren.