Anxiety Interfering with Daily Activities

[ClassicalBlueKitty]

Hello Everyone! I am new to the community and decided to reach out for support because I have really been struggling lately. I have had a really hard time maintaining any level of productivity these past few weeks. I recently upped my Sertraline dose so I know that it can take a bit for things to level out some, but I was wondering if anyone had some coping tips? I have been hit with falling behind on things I really need to get done and then have compounded shame onto it. I have been trying to white-knuckle it and pull through, I just can't seem to get it going. I think it also hasn't been ideal that I can't seem to sleep for more than five or so hours at a time, even with melatonin.

[Dolphin14]

Welcome to the community. You will find a lot of support here. Many of us struggle with anxiety

I read some of your replies to others and your bio. Has hour yoga and meditation stopped working?

You mentioned upcoming EMDR. Are you anxious about this? If so that could be the reason your coping skills aren't working as well.

🐬

Oops you said massage not meditation. I'm sorry.

I would highly recommend meditation as a way to relax

[ClassicalBlueKitty in reply to Dolphin14]

Dolphin, thank you for your reply. I think that my normal coping skills haven't worked because I haven't been able to do them. I got the flu and was sick for a week and a half so my practice went out the window some. I think I really fell off the wagon when sick and just have felt like it is almost starting over again. One of the things that makes me feel better and more motivated is feeling like I'm helping others so I have been committed to trying to respond to other posts for about half an hour today. I think that I am anxious about the prep work for EMDR that I am doing now because it has kind of been working on my dissociation as a maladaptive coping skill. I think that my coping skills haven't been as appealing because without having a separation between my thoughts, feelings, memories, and body I feel really overwhelmed. Thank you for helping me start to figure out where some of this is coming from, it has helped some already.

[Dolphin14 in reply to ClassicalBlueKitty]

It's great to see you joining in. When I read someone has things that have worked I get curious as to why those things may not be so helpful sometimes.

There is always a reason for the changes and I think we just have to look for them. Seems like you have figured out a few things. That's great.

EMDR is very hard. Many of us have done it. You will get lots of feedback on that if you ask.

I use exercise as a way to keep me balanced. I hope you can get back into your yoga practice soon.

[ClassicalBlueKitty in reply to Dolphin14]

Thank you. I wonder if you could elaborate on the parts of EMDR that are hard for someone about to start? The unknown part is stressing me out quite a bit I think.

[Dolphin14 in reply to ClassicalBlueKitty]

Hi

I'm so sorry. I just happened to be scrolling by and I saw this reply. I did not receive a notification

EMDR requires you to go back to your trauma. Visiting the details of incidents over your life can be quite difficult. I cried alot, I was in shock from what I uncovered. But I will tell you it was worth every minute. It worked to desensitize trauma and I was able to put things to rest.

I hope that helps and again I'm so sorry for not responding

🐬

[Hidden]

There are several things that I would suggest to deal with your anxiety. First, consider basic techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, mindfulness, and physical exercise. In addition, I would recommend the book Feeling Great by David Burns. It will teach you about cognitive behavioral therapy and teach you how to deal with your own thoughts to help yourself to feel better.

It also sounds like you are worrying about being worried. This is called anticipatory anxiety. Think carefully about what it is that is making you anxious and how likely it is to be true. Ask yourself what is the worst thing that could happen, what is the best thing that could happen, and what is the most likely thing that could happen. This will be even easier to do after you read Feeling Great.

[ClassicalBlueKitty]

Unfortunately it is not. I desperately want a cat again but can't have one in my current appartment.

[Midori]

Welcome to the gang. pull up a treestump and chat around the campfire.

Cheers, Midori