How are you handling anxiety in this time of COVID-19?

@helenfrances I can't walk yet since I'm having surgery on my back next month, but I would like to join you in a gratitude list. My husband told me that I need to think of 3 good things a day. Hey, the SUN is shining and it's so beautiful looking out through the new leaves at the blue sky. Is this what you meant by a gratitude list? I'm with you girl.

@robbie1956 Hey you are new poster too. Bless your heart. I have depression and anxiety also. My meds really help, but I use to wake up the same way you do with dread of the day to come. Now I just wake up with a lot of pain, but I'm having surgery for it at Mayo on June 9th. So, I will be better. We have mental illness that runs through our family. Nieces, sisters. nieces daughter etc. My mom did suicide when she was 69 years old. I am 68. I have had good counseling, because I have had many sad things happen to me in my life, but it's all in the past. Have you tried counseling. I hope that one day you will wake up with no dread. Think of 3 good things right away, that helps me. Like today, it's so beautiful out with the looking through the new leaves at the blue sky. Easy to say, but hard to do. I know. Blessings

I am grateful that you shared your gratitude list.
I am struggling with mine today: strained ligament, grandchildren on opposite coast, .. I could go on.. argh, but I am going for a walk with my neighbor.

Praying that you have a speedy recovery from your surgery

@helenfrances This staying home and staying order we have here in Calif is almost 3 months now and it is getting old . My son ,d.i.l and grandson live here in Long beach but not close and I havent seen them since this started . I,ll be glad when we can finally go out . They too are staying home he has his school on computer and they both can work from home but it is still hard I know good for you going walking this helps alot . Time for me to get moving also Have a good day

@helenfrances @lilypaws @robbie1956 There is a Gratitude discussion here https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/gratitude-discussion-group/ Check it out!
I personally forget to be thankful/grateful for the everyday things during these challenging times. Mental health struggles are in my own history, as well as some family members. It has taken a lot of introspection, sometimes medication, to dig out of the despair that runs in courses through my life.
Today I am grateful to see the sun shining, and the grass growing [way too tall right now!] and watch the baby animals as they discover their new world. We have a family of red-headed woodpeckers in the trees. And the other day I watched a young squirrel negotiate his way along the fence top, balancing precariously while trying to look around.
Hoping everyone has a great day,
Ginger

@lilypaws

Thanks for your reply..the three good things is a very good idea...I will try that , sometimes I think of expressions like “this too shall pass”. I am sorry to hear about the mental illness in your family and your Mom...I had a brother who was also mentally ill, and he died in 2010.. he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and the institution and subsequent halfway houses did not help. My feeling of unease, or the fears I think sometimes based on just getting older and watching buddies pass on...in any case, my
life compared to others more unfortunate has been blessed with a sense of luck....I do take a medication for GAD....and it helps....thanks for sharing and hope your day is a good one.

Would you mind telling us what meds you take forGAD?

@sears
I have a low dose of Klonopin.....usually just once daily....it was prescribed by my doctor over the others because it tends to be
Longer acting and far less addictive...

Just wondered as I am in the process of switching from Xanax to Valium which Is also long acting.