Need Help I Guess.

[Anxsty]

I'm a long term sufferer of anxiety and having a pretty bad night tonight.

I started taking Citalopram again last March upped to 30mg in August. Last year for the first time i thought i would be over anxiety or know how to cope better with it having had someone help me on another forum. gave me the book At Long Last Life, explained how anxiety works and i also started to listen to audios of Claire Weeks.

At times knowing how it all works has helped but it has still been difficult. in the last week or two it's really gotten on top of me again. Just trying not to react to the thoughts over a long period time is so difficult. for the last week or so the chatter seems back almost at it's worst, i have a song in my head several times a day and am constantly rehearsing conversations (most of which i never have) in my head.

My number 1 trigger is not being able to relax especially when trying to watch films and TV. It's on my mind almost everyday. i'm a HUGE film fan watch hundreds a year. i've had the problems of switching off for years, just head chatter interrupting. it got a whole lot worse at the beginning of last year due to medication problems causing my anxiety to shoot through the roof. since then it has been a little easier especially this year. i start off watching and a few minutes in the checks come in. my head checking to see if i've relaxed, seeing if i'm "into it", then the negative thoughts "i'll never get over this" "i'm not watching this properly" it can steady after a while but it's almost (might sound stupid) like the anxiety is chasing me, trying to catch me out or something. of course by the end i'm exhausted and feel like i've wasted my time.

I can switch off and watch tv if i don't really care about what i'm watching, i watched an awards show at the weekend and was fine. i can play PS4 games without it being a problem too.

As an example how long should it take to not be sensitized? how long did it take people here?

I guess i'm looking for a light at the end of the tunnel. i really don't want to talk to my doctor because i know they'll just up the dose.

Thanks for any advice

[Rdiz777]

Hi anxtsy!. Thanks for sharing. When I'm doing bad I have the same thing with the songs and inner monologue. All started after using Xanax 6 years ago for a short time. Doing okay right now on 20 mg amitriptyline for tension headaches but I feel your pain.

[Beevee]

Persevere with the teachings of Dr Claire Weekes and Paul David and keep practising acceptance. It takes time to develop the right attitude towards the symptoms you fear but you will get there. Setbacks are part of the recovery process but learn to accept these too. The books you have are all that I needed to recover. The more you let go, the more the symptoms fade away. The teachings are not a method you follow. It’s a natural physioloical process that heals the mind and body in the same way nature heals a graze. You don’t have to do anything with the anxiety. Just let it run riot and watch it doing it and resist the urge to get involved. The more you practice accepting, the easier it will become.

[Anxsty]

apologies for the none reply, when my anxiety is as bad as it was when i posted i sometimes try to stay away from forums and anything to do with anxiety for a few days.

Thanks for your comments it always helps to have a bit of a "it's going to be fine just do this" pep talk.

Trying to watch a film with family tonight and the same thoughts kept popping up and wishing i could switch off for a hour or so. i have improved, i know i have even since last week. watching tv i enjoy has been easier it's just so frustrating when you just want to be back to your old self