Anxiety Support Group

Anxiety is a physical condition marked by intense and persistent feelings of distress, fear, angst or dread. General anxiety caused by routine day-to-day stresses usually passes quickly and is experienced by almost everyone at one time or another. However, such feelings that linger over time and are very difficult to cope with, and which lack a clear cause, may indicate...

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Rough weekend

Sarasalt
Sarasalt
Just venting for a moment. I've been feeling much better, generally, since beginning therapy and medication. So much so that I start to wonder if maybe I was being overdramatic about my problems, and was making it up (it's an obsessive thought pattern I've had for years). This weekend, per my therapy homework, I pushed myself to be social in ways I normally should shy away from (I'm agoraphobic). I went to a very late concert for a friend's birthday, had lunch with an acquaintance and her friend, and had a good time in all situations. There hasn't been anything off or upsetting about this weekend. But for the past 24 hours, I've felt myself becoming unstable and negative, and slipping back into my old thought patterns. I've also been having really vivid and upsetting dreams. I missed my SSRI dose on Friday (though took it on Saturday), so I don't know if that had anything to do with how rocky things got yesterday or if it was the social exertion or what, but it's really upsetting to think that one misstep with my meds or one social 24-hour period can send me back to where I've been running from.

I hope my brain evens out soon, but for now I'm just anxious and oversleeping and feeling awful. Anxiety is the worst. :(
mjones0608
mjones0608
That is great that you've been doing better. Hopefully things will stay that way for you. Hopefully the past 24 hours will go away and you will feel like normal again.
deleted_user
deleted_user
I'm not sure what SSRI you are on, but depending on its Half-Life it can absolutely cause you to have problems if you miss a dose. If I missed more than 2 days when I was on paxil I would be completely in withdrawal, it was pretty awful. Don't worry, you will be fine, just give yourself some time to settle and remember to breathe.

I know how scary it can be thinking that one misstep will take you back to the beginning, but it won't. Hang in there
hyperpgal
hyperpgal
you can get stressed by social interaction-even if it is positive--for introverts it can be draining to be with people. I find I am most relaxed when I am alone....I only have one friend who calms me...just with her presence....others with very strong or assertive personalities--I can love them-but they can tire me.....and stress me....I always need recovery time after social things....
Sarasalt
Sarasalt
Thanks, guys. I'm glad to know that this isn't something unusual. It really sucks that everything can be thrown so easily, even if it does reinforce to me that the meds are necessary for me right now. I hope you all had more restful weekends!
JudyFZ
JudyFZ
I've been meaning to tell you I love your avatar, Sara. It's just lovely.

I agree with Hypergal. I'm an introvert, too, and obviously the depression and anxiety don't help matters. If I have a bunch of social interactions I often find myself exhausted, nervous, wired and unhappy for a while afterwards, even if I had a great time going out.

It helps me to just to come home, shut out the world, and do some yoga, journaling, or take a long hot bubble bath. Before long I start to feel more centered and calm.