[Zen888]

I am almost certain that I have anticipatory anxiety when I have to leave my home for an appointment, going out with friends,.....just normal everyday events in life.

If I have to go outside I make sure my appointment...etc is in the afternoon so I have time to calm myself down so that I can keep the appointment...etc.

I find it hard to do things with little notice. And at times the opposite if I have lots of notice (many days) my worry and anixety builds up to the point that I cancel whatever I had planned.

The physical sensations that I experience are as follows: stomach in knots, heart racing, thoughts racing, paranoid thoughts, nervous energy....list goes on.

I have tried positive affirmations, meditations, taking Clonzapam,......all are only a temporary remedy to my anticipatory anxiety difficulties. And when I say temporary it is only for say half an hour at the most.

When I have PMS my anxiety and paranoia are at such a high level that I become a hermit and rarely leave my home unless it's for food or medicine. My neighbors must think I have an odd schedule...2 weeks out of every month my activity level goes down dramatically.

Can anyone relate to what I am experiencing? How do you cope with your anticipatory anxiety? How do you create a productive and happy (healthy) life style for yourself?

[Miracle1986]

Just wanted to say I can relate and I hope some people have some good advice.

[olamaja]

Zen,

I can totally relate. I have cancelled more then my fair share of dates and appointments just for those same reasons. What I have learned with this is that the more you push yourself out of the "comfort zone", the eaiser it gets the next time around.

In regards to your cycle, are you on the pill or O-Ring? Many times all it takes to make this calm themselves is a constant flow of hormones through out the entire month. When that time comes your chemical levels are (or can be) all over the place. You may want to talk to your OBGYN about getting some help to keep things up all month long.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Zen888

I am almost certain that I have anticipatory anxiety when I have to leave my home for an appointment, going out with friends,.....just normal everyday events in life.

If I have to go outside I make sure my appointment...etc is in the afternoon so I have time to calm myself down so that I can keep the appointment...etc.

I find it hard to do things with little notice. And at times the opposite if I have lots of notice (many days) my worry and anixety builds up to the point that I cancel whatever I had planned.

The physical sensations that I experience are as follows: stomach in knots, heart racing, thoughts racing, paranoid thoughts, nervous energy....list goes on.

I have tried positive affirmations, meditations, taking Clonzapam,......all are only a temporary remedy to my anticipatory anxiety difficulties. And when I say temporary it is only for say half an hour at the most.

When I have PMS my anxiety and paranoia are at such a high level that I become a hermit and rarely leave my home unless it's for food or medicine. My neighbors must think I have an odd schedule...2 weeks out of every month my activity level goes down dramatically.

Can anyone relate to what I am experiencing? How do you cope with your anticipatory anxiety? How do you create a productive and happy (healthy) life style for yourself?

[Sannah]

Zen, I can't remember if you are in therapy? My answer is that you have to attack this anxiety head on and start dismantling it at its foundation with therapy.

[Rmdctc]

I have this all the time. Sometimes having someone I trust go with me makes it easer or distracting myself with something else that I like helps too. I am not really good with it so thats about all I can offer.