Yes, I experience my many flavors of anxiety in episodes and yes, it is chronic. To put icing on the proverbial shit pie, my anxiety also accumulates and escalates as it culminates. What that means is that if I do not address each episode, the episodes will add up and get worse for each addition.

I don't know that I've experienced it every day of my 66 years, but I haven't missed too awful many days. Proof unavailable, but there is ample room to believe I came down the birth canal well conditioned to anxiety from 9 months of living inside my mother's anxiety.

In allot of ways I believe it is similar to living with diabetes or asthma. Yea, it sucks, but good days still happen. Girl howdy, I cherish those good days. It often seems like the more I cherish those good days, the more good days I have. Practice, practice, practice? For sure it is still worth reaching for a full, rich life, in spite of ^it^.

It seems to be chronic for me as well. Some days I feel like my entire body is on fire and I'll snap at any moment. Some days the anxiety is less severe and just hangs out with me while I have a 'good' day. I can't remember a time that I don't look back on without equating it to my level of anxiety at that moment. I hate that.

So no, you're not alone. I'm sure the meds are helping. And you're more thnw likely having an episode bc you've become accustomed to the dosage you're at. Tread lightly and keep your head up. We're here for you.

After 20+ years of having anxiety disorder, yes, mine is every single day. I am on meds and have weekly therapy sessions by phone (we used to do in person).

Similar to what @Ash122 was saying, I can't remember anymore what it's like to not have anxiety. It was so long ago that I had a completely anxiety-free day.

Maybe not what you wanted to hear. But it doesn't mean everyone's is chronic. Keep working with your psychiatrist, and do you have a therapist? I think therapy might help you to keep your anxiety from getting out of control.

I also read some anxiety books, listen to anxiety podcasts, etc. Still looking for that magic cure I guess!!!

Ah, Having a label is comforting for you in some way.

Your psychiatrist wants you to see it as anxiety.

Hmm. Depending on your treatment plan and type of therapy, you might be experiencing symptoms that brought on the panic attacks.

I have GAD and after say five years of attacks daily, I have finally gotten the anxiety under control. I still get mild anxiety daily but it is very manageable.

mine ebbs and flows---depending on what stressors I have and if I am prcticing any self care,,,,

Thanks for all the responses! I'm surprised so many of you have it chronically. I usually live so well on my meds and in therapy. I'll go months without an attack, a bad thought, anything. I think I'm cured, and then an episode hits! lol. I'm still hoping this extreme stuff is episodic. I can handle panic attacks, but not this all day never ending anxiety. IT's already starting to lift and I already feel much better. I think the meds are finally kicking in at a higher rate.

That's great JMEL!! Anxiety does not have to be chronic and I am glad yours isn't.

Besides lorazepam, which is the anti-depressant that you are taking? Just curious as I am looking to switch SSRIs also. And if yours is working for you, I would be interested to know what it is. Thanks!