Trying to help myself, but ...

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2005
Trying to help myself, but ...
3
Fri, 06-24-2005 - 1:58pm

... the endless stream of thoughts are still there.

This morning, when I woke up - a little less anxious than yesterday morning - I took my counselor's advice and went for a run. When I got back inside, I took .25 mg of xanex, rested a little bit, then took the 2nd of the pill after i was showered and on my way to work. I'm making a real effort to stay up beat and focused on what I need to do today ...

But, and I guess I can't expect them to go away immediately (just b/c I want them to!), the crazy thoughts about my relationship are still there, growing in my mind. I have fun with my BF - we hung out last night - but I still have that anxiety about our relationship that doesn't go away when I'm with him. I HAVE to be making these up ... nothing has changed in our interactions. I'm also stuck on the fact that I've had absolutely no sex drive for what seems like forever now. Is that a normal side effect of anxiety? In my crazy, busy mind, the anxiety is telling me "well maybe you're not attracted to your bf anymore, maybe you don't like having sex" ... which absolutely can't be true right ... Please promise me this is just the anxiety lying to me again!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-26-2005
Fri, 06-24-2005 - 3:46pm
Hi, anxiety can cause intrusive thoughts which are unwanted thoughts you wouldn't think of on your own, they just pop in. It's a cycle, you feel anxiety, your fight or flight impulse kicks in. there's nothing physically to flee from so the brain searches for something to fight. the subconscious makes up these strange thoughts in the brain so there's something to fight. Then the thoughts cause us more worry because they are out of the blue thoughts we never would think of. I have the intrusive thoughts too. Was diagnosed with ocd b/c of them. I have the obsessive part of ocd b/c when the thoughts come in, they bother me so much, I can't let them just go, I dwell on why the heck am I thinking this crazy thought. Yes, the thoughts lie to you, they have that power to feel so real but they are only thoughts, and you can't control them or analyze them. They are directed at ones you love the most so thats why your BF. Medication helps me. it slows down the thoughts. Maybe your meds need to be increased or changed, just my opinion. I hope this helps. You're not alone in your thoughts. I hope you feel better.
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 06-24-2005 - 5:42pm
Nice to see you posting! You are very welcome here. You seem to have alot of insight into anxiety from your experiences. We appreciate all the *sharing* we can get:) Keep in touch. Good luck! (((hugs))) jan



 

 


 



iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Fri, 06-24-2005 - 6:01pm
You are doing the best you can, Maribeth. These spells of severe anxiety are difficult, but generally self limiting. They will burn out, but never soon enough for us. As irishmom said, they are just thoughts. To cope better try NOT to fight them. Let them flow through you or over you. Don't pay them any mind. They are not true. Keep busy with any activity that will divert you from them. Just like they're playing tricks on you, you play tricks right back. I think I may have told you that I subtract large numbers I make up in my head. It gets another area of the brain functioning & the obssessive thinking has to lose it's grip. Making shopping lists or naming the 50 states are other methods that have been mentioned as useful. I am sorry about the changes in your sex drive.