[smartiesparty]

Anxiety is trying to plague me daily. Every time I feel slightly content and happy, the thoughts (OCD Thoughts caused by anxiety) come back to tell me that the happiness won't last anyway and that I deserve to be punished for feeling happy.
It is preventing me from living my life fully, enjoying the companionship of the few people I have in my life.
I can never feel truly happy because I am already thinking of the anxiety that is creeping back and I'm thinking that I'm going to be punished because I did bad things in life when I was young
It hurts me and it's not real life to me, because anxiety is always holding me back from doing anything that would make me happy. It is anxiety that is making me miss out on everything.
Am i the only one in this ?

[Dont_Follow]

You aren't the only one. It sounds a lot like GAD, which I have and is a never ending weight. There is just always something to worry about. If it is keeping you from living the way you want to you should see a doctor. There is help for this kind of thing.

[smartiesparty]

Originally Posted by Dont_Follow

You aren't the only one. It sounds a lot like GAD, which I have and is a never ending weight. There is just always something to worry about. If it is keeping you from living the way you want to you should see a doctor. There is help for this kind of thing.

It definitely is interfering with my everyday life. I have trouble completing simple tasks because I'm paralyzed by the fear, the constant worry.
I'd love to go on meds but I can't deal with possible side effects right now.

hey,

hope you are doing okay!

((((hugs))))

[MusicLover82]

Originally Posted by smartiesparty

It definitely is interfering with my everyday life. I have trouble completing simple tasks because I'm paralyzed by the fear, the constant worry.
I'd love to go on meds but I can't deal with possible side effects right now.

If I were you, I would say I couldn't afford NOT to try meds if the fear is paralyzing me. I've done well on Paxil and Zoloft in the past for anxiety/OCD. Also, if you are afraid to try an SSRI due to their side-effects, perhaps just getting something for the anxiety like Xanax, Klonopin or Valium? You can be prescribed to take them PRN (as needed) or you could try an extended release version once or twice a day which REALLY helps me during times of great stress. I take Xanax XR right now (I'm coming out of a period of immense stress) and it just makes me feel normal, no bad side effects. When I'm anxious enough, it doesn't make me sleepy at all, it just levels out my anxiety. Just a thought of things to try.

[smartiesparty]

Originally Posted by MusicLover82

If I were you, I would say I couldn't afford NOT to try meds if the fear is paralyzing me. I've done well on Paxil and Zoloft in the past for anxiety/OCD. Also, if you are afraid to try an SSRI due to their side-effects, perhaps just getting something for the anxiety like Xanax, Klonopin or Valium? You can be prescribed to take them PRN (as needed) or you could try an extended release version once or twice a day which REALLY helps me during times of great stress. I take Xanax XR right now (I'm coming out of a period of immense stress) and it just makes me feel normal, no bad side effects. When I'm anxious enough, it doesn't make me sleepy at all, it just levels out my anxiety. Just a thought of things to try.

Thank you very much. Do you think Xanax could also be taken when I'm studying and taking my exams ? Or would it make me drowsy ? I know everyone reacts differently, but I would like to know if your concentration was still good while on Xanax ?

[MusicLover82]

Originally Posted by smartiesparty

Thank you very much. Do you think Xanax could also be taken when I'm studying and taking my exams ? Or would it make me drowsy ? I know everyone reacts differently, but I would like to know if your concentration was still good while on Xanax ?

Yes, my concentration is better with Xanax when my anxiety was high. Xanax just makes me feel NORMAL. It's such a relief to know I have it when I need it. I think what makes concentration bad is high levels of anxiety, not the medication. Of course, like anything, you can take too much of it (which would cause drowsiness) so it will be up to your doctor to decide what dosage is best for you.