What is your anxiety like?

@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

Meds can cause side effects but what does your Doctor say about the symptoms you are having?

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.

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.

Low dose anti-depressants are often a suggested route for anxiety, which is interesting. I have depression and take Lexapro and Abilify for it with good effect, but I also take Gabapentin for my anxiety. All of these have mild side-effects for me, such as some weight gain (not morbidity) and some brain fog. So, there is some caution warranted in medication if you can use other methods to address the anxiety. If your anxiety is episodic, CBT techniques may be helpful in resolving in your mind that the anxious feelings and the physical manifestations are false assumptions or errors in your thinking such as catastrophizing the moment(s) of distress. You did well to remove yourself to another place when you were near panic, but it must have been very hard to do. I would go back to the psychiatrist to review what medication might be helpful for you. I am cautious about benzos, though they work well for immediate relief, because they can be habit forming and hard to quit. All told, I perceive that you are handling things well for yourself in difficult times.

@mattkl817 Gosh, I can certainly see why you would be anxious, with all that is going on in your life. You have proven you were successful to overcome anxiety issues before, and, yes, it takes hard work. Of course we all want to do it without medications, but sometimes we need a little help to "reset" our brain. There is nothing wrong with that. We appreciate your honesty here, and hope you will look at what you have written. It seems like your anxiety may ease after the final tests a bit. What do you do to take your mind away from the issues, when they arise? Have you tried breathing techniques, or meditation to relax?
Ginger