Feeling anxious about being anxious

[Guy_From_Someplace]

I was diagnosed with GAD about a week ago after a couple years of therapy where my anxiety just kept getting worse and worse to the point where it was impacting my family and I couldn’t control it.

I’ve been on Sertraline (50mg) for a little less than a week and it’s really hard to tell if it’s helping me at all. I’m feeling this butterfly tingly feeling through the day, and my anxiety continues to take control in stressful situations. And now, I’m at the point where I’m anxious that I’m still feeling anxious.

Has anyone felt this way? What are some ways you’ve coped and helped yourself?

[AnxiousSilver]

"I’ve been on Sertraline (50mg) for a little less than a week and it’s really hard to tell if it’s helping me at all. I’m feeling this butterfly tingly feeling through the day, and my anxiety continues to take control in stressful situations."

In general.. Meds usually need to take 6-8 weeks to fully kick in, but hopefully it will be less than a week (2 weeks at the most) for the side effects to start wearing down.

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This big thing is to follow your doc/psych instructions, and let the medicine kick and and (hopefully) do its thing.

[Guy_From_Someplace in reply to AnxiousSilver]

Thanks for the advice! I just am having such an unsettling feeling. After taking the meds, I get this tingling feeling as if I’m on a rollercoaster drop. And it’s just constant until the evening. Just want to make sure this is normal

[AnxiousSilver in reply to Guy_From_Someplace]

"Thanks for the advice!"

No problem.

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Usually every new med has "at least" one side effect that (hopefully) goes away within a week or two.

If it doesn't, then let your doc/psych know, and see what he/she has to say.

[MindfulMoment]

The fear of fear is exactly what anxiety disorders are. There is the initial fight or flight response to something and then because there isn’t a real threat, our brains continue to ruminate. I lived with a fear of fear for years and years and years. Still do. But I’ve taken a new approach now, and it’s working. Stopping the secondary fear. I am no longer going to be afraid of a chemical discharge in my body. When the anxiety builds I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. Accepting these feelings as nothing more than chemicals my body is designed to release when fear is present. The anxious mind and body need rest to bring the sensitivity down. These sensations are my body protecting me. I gently thank my brain but remind it that I don’t need it right now, I am safe.

[bonkers65 in reply to MindfulMoment]

Acceptance helps a lot

[Sillysausage234]

sertraline takes a little longer to kick in …I was in a state way back when ….painicing about panicking…not a good place to be …sertraline hopefully will get you more active and then you’ll be tired come nighttime and able to get restful sleep

[JaaKK]

Good morning,

I hope that you are feeling a little better now.

Things that I have found helps me out:

I have found that getting outside and going for a walk. 2). getting outside and sitting in the sunshine. 3). Listening to gospel hymns and praise and worship music, relaxing music.

4). I enjoy getting outside and gardening and digging in the dirt. 5). Bicycling. 6). baking. 7). Going out and visit with a friend at a local coffee shop...

Last be not least Praying and reading the Word of God!!