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@mattkl817, Good evening and welcome to Connect. You will find a large number of empathetic folks on this forum. We don't have medical experience except with our own problems and issues. And yet....we learn from each other just as we support each other.
You have received a diagnosis of a generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). You state that you have finally received the help you need. Would you be willing to share what you received that was beneficial?
You described a "brain fog" that has certain effects that go away the next day. I don't know if my foggy brain episodes are similar to yours but I can say that I now only get them occasionally when I just don't have my act together. I just started to use duloxetine in the morning. And I make room for some yoga stretches & strength building poses, Then, I give my mind a break with a guided meditation. What do you actually do when the brain fog makes its appearance? Are you in pain anywhere in your body? Perhaps you could clarify a bit to help me understand. Be safe and protected tonight. Sleep well.
Chris
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I saw a psychiatrist and had a few sessions with a psychologist. The doctor recommended putting me on a low dose of an SSRI such as Zoloft, but I told him that I wanted to try and work through it on my own. One of the worst side effects of my chronic anxiety were the constant heart palpitations that I experienced, and I got to a point where I convinced myself that I may have some fatal heart condition. I finally got over my fear, started running a few times a week, started to drink less alcohol, and kept seeing the therapist till I felt comfortable to end my weekly meetings, and felt that I have beat my anxiety. I was doing alright for a good two months or so, but lately my anxiety has been giving me problems again, and I can say that it is probably due to the fact that I am finishing college on Friday, and the stress of final exams, and starting my career has made me anxious again.
Today in fact, after my run, I went the library to study for my last exam on Friday, and started to have really bad heart palpitations again. The ones I used to get were just rapid heart rate for long periods of time, but this time they were more like my heart fluttering or skipping a beat. It really frightened me this morning, and I was in such a panic that I almost wanted to scream for someone to call 911, but I removed myself from the situation, and eventually calmed down, and now here I am.
I am now starting to wonder if I should revisit taking a course of medication, or if it will go away after I finish my exams and graduate. But who's to say when or if it will happen again.