Posted by viridis on February 15, 2003, at 22:26:14
In reply to Re: when and how to get a second opinion?, posted by babs on February 15, 2003, at 18:48:08
Hi Babs,
I don't have a diagnosis of OCD, so I can't relate to the extreme form of this disorder, but I definitely have a tendency to become hyperfocused on particular problems. Whether this causes my episodes of extreme anxiety and depression, or is just a manifestation of these conditions, isn't clear. However, without benzos, I go through periods of severe worry and depression that often revolve around issues that are real, yet aren't worth allowing to dominate my thoughts. I torment myself with all the "what ifs" -- if this happened, then this might happen, which would cause this... etc. etc.
None of this is psychotic, since the problems that I obsess about are real and concrete -- it just isn't worth the mental energy I expend on them. I recognize this, yet I just can't seem to let go.
With benzos, I can let go: I can look at the situation more rationally and say, OK, there's a problem; now how do I solve it? Or, if it's relatively trivial, I can choose to ignore it because the chances of it escalating to anything worse are small.
For me, benzos aren't "dulling" or "tranquilizing" (as many people imagine these drugs to be); they just let me step back and focus my energy on the positives more than the negatives. And, I do feel more relaxed, but certainly not drugged -- just more upbeat and effective.
poster:viridis
thread:200490
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20030214/msgs/200809.html