Posted by Kath on July 7, 2000, at 11:20:13
In reply to starting new anti-anxiety program, posted by gritslad on July 6, 2000, at 19:49:01
He gritslad,
When I recently went to a doctor who's an "addictionist" (I'd never heard of that before) I did several on-paper tests as well as talking with him. I went to him because my 16 yr-old son is addicted to using marijuana daily & because I am a "CoDependent" (I didn't realize this 'til I went to CoDependents Anonymous & realized - Hey!!! This is me! - It's a great program; a 12-step program & one of the best things that's happened to me).
Anyway, as a result of the tests & talks, he said I had low self-esteem, some obsessiveness & was depressed. Regarding the depression, I thought "hogwash - I don't feel down very much really..." Very reluctantly I decided to take the meds he suggested - Celexa 20 mg (I take it at bedtime so during the initial time when the drowsy side effects happened they just helped me sleep & didn't get in the way of my life). Although I didn't feel "down" I did feel anxious. As the meds began to work, I realized that I HAD felt anxiety ALL THE TIME!!!!! WOW - how incredible NOT to feel like that - to feel basically calm & chilled out. To worry & be upset if there was a specific thing I came up against that had to be dealt with or that was worrying - but NOT to worry & feel anxious all the time - an amazing experience. The doc also asked me to keep a "feelings diary". I bought a purse-sized "day-book" on sale for $1 at a stationery store. I "check in" on my feelings approx 3 times a day. If I feel a major feeling I sometimes enter more than 3x. I sometimes get into a few days of forgetting to do it, and I realize THEN how important for me it is to do it. I find that it makes me 'way more aware of what I'm feeling & why. For example, I'm aware of "frustration" before it becomes "anger". I'm aware of "disappointment" before it becomes anger. I begin to see how the patterns work & when I go to the doc I read to him & talk with him about major things I've felt or realized (I mark them with a **). I'm finding it very helpful. If you want to ask me specific questions, please feel free.Take care, Kath
> Has anyone had experience with an anti-anxiety program? I begin one with my therapist tomorrow. It involves a lot of record keeping of one's moods, thoughts, etc. I've had some bad bouts with depression, but my doc and I have come to the conclusion that these bouts derive from my General Anxiety Disorder. Let me know of any similar experiences?
poster:Kath
thread:39604
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000630/msgs/39674.html