first time-GAD

[freedomnow]

First time joining an online support group. I have generalized anxiety disorder which at times is difficult to manage even on SSRI. Looking for I guess suggestions of how I can turn off the anxiety feeling when my rational logical mind tells me nothing to be anxious about.

[litethatnevergoesout]

that sums it up very well

are you sure this is your first time here?

[freedomnow]

Thank you. I do walk my dog for 3-4 mile walks in our neighborhood or local parks. Open to podcast recommendations?

[litethatnevergoesout in reply to freedomnow]

anxiety slayers has a nice podcast

[Luvmyboston]

glad you joined! Distracting my mind by doing other things like sometimes all color very intricate patterns, so I’m fully concentrating on that. The way I see it is that my brain is then working in the background, but I’m not being bombarded in the front part of my brain with all the thoughts if that makes sense.

[Mytilly]

Hello , I have GAD as well..Have you tried diamond art, walking outside ? Coloring. I think we need to try and reframe our thoughts. Use the energy it takes for negative thoughts and fuel good thoughts instead..I just joined this group as well ,glad I did..its nice to talk with people who truly understand.

[BlueAgave in reply to Mytilly]

Curious, what is diamond art? Sounds interesting.

[punkster]

Hello and welcome. I try to deal with my anxiety with movement (walking, running, swimming, biking, hiking), investing my mind in work, reading, petting the dogs, playing the piano, taking a bath, meditating. These are some of the things I do.

[yhsbirny]

Any SSRI (Zoloft, Lexapro, etc.) is an anti-depressant and has anxiety management effects only as a secondary outcome; anxiety and depression can be 2 very different things. I have been on many many different psychiatric meds for the past 50 years and benzodiazepines (Lorazepam, clonazepam) have been the only thing that effectively deals with anxiety (have been on a very high dose of lorazepam for about 10 years now). Ask your doctor for a small dose of a benzo to try. If you have tried benzos and cannot take them for some reason, I personally don't know of any other way to beat anxiety. As for the SSRI, are you taking it for depression? Is so, has it worked? There are other types of ADs besides SSRIs; maybe a different type, an SNRI like Cymbalta (duloxetine), would be better for you.

[DodgeDhanda]

Hi FN.

Welcome to the group & I know U will find folk here U will connect to.

As for turning off the anxiety, I've found that I can't turn it off or stop it or ignore it even on good days.

I try to keep it small by telling myself the people & things I'm grateful for, it sort of works to the extent that all the things I'm grateful for are all positives & I find the things that give me cause to smile shine that little bit brighter in my day but I still get anxious & it's usually about leving the house as lockdown did something to me that has me not wanting to go out unless I truly must & over 90% is that I need to go to see my doctor of others working at the surgery.

I do hope U find a path that works for U & again welcome to the group.

Lastly

I wish U love & light on ur journey.

[punkster in reply to DodgeDhanda]

DodgeDhanda, I am so sorry to hear about your anxiety about leaving the house. I, too, was affected in a major way by lockdown. I still avoid going around and shopping for clothes and other items, as I order everything online. I do, however, go out to eat, to baseball games, to family gatherings and to work. I go to work because I have to. I actually love my job, but I do have to deal with occasional anxiety (mostly due to Covid). I still prefer to eat outside when at a restaurant. I love baseball, so I had to desensitize myself by going to a few games. I have in-person meetings at work with a lot of people in attendance, and I only go if they are mandatory. It has taken me over a year to decrease my anxiety about leaving the house. I know everyone is different, but you can try by taking baby steps. Go someplace safe and fun to start with. I wish you luck!

[DodgeDhanda in reply to punkster]

Hi P.

I know exactly what U mean & I don't think I would be as bad if I had a job & the last few jobs I had were where I would have to inactivity with managers & staff alike.

So to not be the him I used to be is a thing I know I can do & I do go out to the supermarkets & appointments & I'm trying to just go out sit in a café & read my kindle for at least 2 hour if not longer & I've just got to give myself that drive to get out there.

So who is ur MLB team ? I used to watch the games when they used to show MLB games over here in England & I always look out for the results of the D-backs & the Dodgers too & U can escape the single most recognised team in those Yankees.

Who is in the world series ? Have or are U watching any games ?

Thanks for reaching out & it was good to speak sports

[punkster in reply to DodgeDhanda]

I am a Dodger fan. I LOVE watching the games. It is a joke between me and my husband because during baseball season all I want to do is watch the games. He often asks if we can watch something else for a change. Unfortunately, the Dodgers lost during the playoffs. The first game of the World Series was yesterday, and the Texas Rangers won over the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-5. I am rooting for the Texas Rangers. They have a few ex Dodgers on their team- Corey Seager and Max Scherzer. I plan on watching the second game tonight. I always go into a mild depression once baseball season is over.