Question re Anxiety Disorder...(Need to know if this is normal)

[Cured2020]

My PCP diagnosed me with severe anxiety last year, but I’m not taking any meds.

It seems that I have alternating days of high anxiety/depression. For example, yesterday I felt like my old self...I was able to think clearly, relax, and I felt pretty normal. However, today, I feel “out of sorts”, restless, unable to concentrate/focus, unable to get things done, indecisive, etc.

Is it normal to have alternating days of anxiety symptoms? The symptoms now seem to have a pattern of being heightened every other day.

Please help....I don’t know what to do and i’m tired of this!

[CanuckAnon]

Yes 100% normal... yesterday I was in a crap mood ready to shutdown and today I’m pretty ok. It’s about watching out for triggers when you can. Managing hidden triggers the most annoying ones imo as best as possible when they happen... I also don’t take pharmaceuticals... hope your day gets better... try to stay calm on these days and try to block out the negative stuff in your head... easier said than done I know.

I try and vent on these days.... sometimes it works and other times it doesn’t but I just don’t give up unless I try a number of things!

😊☀️🌷🤗

[Cured2020 in reply to CanuckAnon]

Thanks for replying!

Unfortunately, I have no idea what triggered my symptoms today; I went to bed feeling fine, & I woke up feeling totally different.

I was laid-off from my job several months ago, and I need to get rid of anxiety symptoms so that I can find another job and be productive. I’m divorced, have bills (mortgage, etc), and I need an income. Feeling desperate now and considering going to a psychiatrist as much as I don’t want to be on meds & I don’t like the stigma of seeing a psy doctor.

[CanuckAnon in reply to Cured2020]

What stigma? There is not really a stigma connected to dealing with mental health stuff generally imo. Could it be that you have anxiety about it?

Have u tried CBT to control your reactions to stuff, identify triggers....?

[Forgetfulnana]

Very normal I’m afraid x

[photomanatee]

Definitely normal! And often I also have no idea what leads to a good day vs a bad one. Sometimes it is PMS, sometimes it could be the best day ever but I feel like I am on fire inside. I will say that meds do help at times, while I still have those weird off days and weird good days, it helps with regulation and makes more days overall average instead of a struggle.

[Hidden]

I sometimes suffer something like that. If I am left alone, generally my mood is quite reserved, although when something has upset me I become agitated, although not aggressive.

I am awaiting a course of CBT and I have my initial telephone appointment on Tuesday and I dread talking over the phone for this sort of thing as I feel listened to by someone other than the Therapist. I also will be om High Doe for the rest of the day. I am generally quite quiet.

So You are not alone.

BOB

[Lazy_dog_lover]

I think it is pretty normal. We all have different variables that impact us differently.

I would go to a psychiatrist, though. A doctor who specializes in anxiety can give you better advice than a PCP or us

[guynfl2chat]

Yes it is so normal. I take meds as needed. Some days I feel ok.. some days I am so thankful for the meds. I try to remember this too shall pass. My body sensations can be so uncomfortable I think it is something else and I over think the medical issues. I take some of my xanax just for a day or two and I feel better and ween back off them again.

[Cured2020 in reply to guynfl2chat]

Do you only take Xanax as needed, or do you also take an antidepressant?

[Tetelatia]

I suggest you see a therapist asap.

[guynfl2chat]

I only take it as needed. I dont take it everyday at all. It helps to keep me level. I actually dont take it as much as I should because I dont want to be addicted.

[Cured2020 in reply to guynfl2chat]

I really need help to control these symptoms, but I’m very concerned about taking meds....(side effects, etc, etc).

Also, I don’t want to be prescribed a medicine that I have to take everyday...

[Hidden in reply to Cured2020]

If you want to go the med free route ( like I am ) it’s going to take a lot of work, and one of the things to do is realize ups and downs will happen 100%, no way to avoid them, your reaction to it is what will determine the rest of the day/week/and months to come.

[Cured2020 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for responding...

Do you have severe anxiety/depression?

If so, would you mind sharing with me tips on how to manage symptoms without meds?

Also, have you ever tried the med route?

(I don’t want to take meds, but I really need to look for a job & function well on it; and, I will have to do whatever it takes to make that happen.)

[Anselm]

Yes, it is normal. You may want to consider trying out anti-depressants that also target anxiety, if you are willing to do that. It implies often some trial and error, because some meds work on some people but not on others. If you can't take it anymore, that would be my suggestion, also to do therapy. Meds alone are not the solution.