I think I know what you are saying. I go days on end being anxious about an upcoming event, everything goes fine, then anxiety sets back in. Did it really go that well, did I make an ass out of myself etc.

I do believe after so many years of anxiety, our bodies to become used to the tension and anxious feelings.

God bless,
Wendy

I also understand what you are trying to say. I was obsessing about going to the doctor and afterwards I did feel better. But my anxiety returned as usual. There is often no reason why we feel this anxiety, and yet it still comes back in the form of tension. I find that this happens frequently with me, so you are not alone.

We are so used to feeling anxious that we expect it. So when we are relaxed, we are sitting there waiting for the anxiety to kick in. Instead of enjoying the relaxing moments, we are waiting. Its horrible and I dont know how to stop it.

I know when I was younger and had a lot of anxiety I would get to the point that I felt anxious if I couldn't think of anything I should be worried about. (huh??) My therapist said there comes a point when your body kind of takes over and keeps you at that "fight or flight" stage because it thinks you need to be protected...even at all those times you don't. So even when things work out and you relax about them, your body is still in that protection mode and so the anxiety returns. Part of the therapy is learning ways to make your body relax...tensing muscles and then relaxing them, etc... so that eventually (with meds also) you'll be able to get away from that constant anxiety/high adrenaline mode.

Thanks for your replys , one of the great things about a support group is people understand! Who the heck else would understand what I just said, except those who had been there?
I also tend to what I call "shoot holes in my boat".
Let's say I was worried about something medical and got a clean bill of health from my doc. I might feel great for a couple hours or days, but then start the "what if he's wrong " game. Which is closley related to my original post.
I'm trying to stop looking for gaurentees , which don't exist, and it helps.
Joel

I also understand what you are saying and do the same things. If I am having a good day, anxiety free... I actually start to wonder... why am I not having anxiety today? When is it going to hit me again. I worry so much about having an anxiety attack, that I have one. It is almost that I feel that its NOT NORMAL to have a day without anxiety. I had really bad anxiety when I would walk my dog, because I would fear that something would happen to me like I would pass out or something from an anxiety attack, and God only knows what would happen, and today I was out walking him because it was so nice out, and I felt great, and I started thinking to myself "why am I not panicking?" I know its not good to think like this...we should be thankful for anxiety free days, but I agree, I think our body and mind get so used to it that it almost feels like our safe haven or something!

When I am having a good day I usually ask myself or someone close, "what wrong" ! Funny but not funny!

Yes, it's almost a mind set that the anxiety is supposed to be there. I'm trying to turn that around.

Can understand completely. Have had an unusually anxiety free week, and am wondering when it will hit again. Have started new meds and they have helped a lot. My arthritis is not so bad because I am not wound up and tensed all the time, so there is another added bonus. I know it will hit again because it always does. I am a born worryer and worry when I don't have anything to worry about (nuts hey?). I just hope this is a turning point to a degree.