Introducing myself

[Bluebaja]

Anxiety, generalized anxiety is my nemesis. It can go for years and then creep back in and take over my life for long stretches of time. I am in the midst of one of the anxiety episodes. Historically, if the anxiety goes on for a period of time it morphs into depression. I have been on Zoloft for many years and had felt so good for so long that I had begun weaning myself of it with my GP’s guidance. Then boom Anxiety party starts up. I take Benzos during the real bad breakthrough phases. Unfortunately I have a resistance to them because I also have a Vestibular (balance) condition that uses Valium as part of treatment. Ow heading back to Doctors to start the medication evaluation process which all know can take a long time. Scared.

I am 59. Retired early.

[gerg]

Anxiety can come from several sources and there are different treatments. I found the best approach is to identify and dispute irrational self-talk. RET, Rational Emotive Therapy, is a great way to take care of this.

[Bluebaja in reply to gerg]

Greg is that something done on your own; self guided or with a trained therapist? Thank you for your reply.

[gerg in reply to Bluebaja]

I did it in a group, but you may be able to get something out of it on your own. The group challenges you to keep you honest, emotions are full of partial or total untruths. There is a lot of the work done outside of group and then it is presented and discussed.

If you want more information about RET a good start is searching Dr. Ellis. He pioneered RET in the 50's.

[Jamie2018]

I have been on Zoloft also for many years. I'm good for long stretches of time then get off Zoloft but always have to go back on. My last episode was so bad I am content to stay on it the rest of my life.

[Bluebaja]

I sure understand that.