Anxiety over intrusive thoughts

[Pink Flower]

YoullNeverWalkAlone

Once again Thankyou for your support. What you say makes so much sense. It’s good to know that I have a forum where I can visit when these things are overwhelming me.

I have finished my free therapy through work and like I have said in a previous post I have been accessed by Talking Therapies but it could be around 6 months before I get an appointment. There are a few other things in place too if I need them which is a comfort to know there is help out there at the end of the telephone.

I do try to make fun of the thoughts and yes it does help on the days the anxiety is not to bad then there are the days when I wake up and it’s there straight away and the anxiety kicks in. It’s like I’m just going round and round in circles. I’m feeling better tonight but worried what tomorrow might bring. I keep telling myself take one day at a time, small steps. Like you said to me YoullNeverWalkAlone it did not happen overnight and my progress will take time.

Sending a big hug to you too 🤗

[Pink Flower]

Hi to everyone

I have not been on here for a week or so as I seem to be looking for reassurance and I know that is one of the symptoms of OCD. ( I have not been diagnosed with it but when I had an appointment with the mental health nurse she wrote to my dr and said I was showing OCD symptoms).

It’s been nearly 8 weeks since my medication was increased and I can say this last week the light at the end of the tunnel seems to be a bit nearer🤞. The intrusive thoughts still pay me a daily visit but they don’t seem to be in the forefront more so taking a back seat. I have been trying really really hard to not give them the attention they want and it has been hard trying to try and let the thoughts just come and accept them and let them go…. However I’m posting today as last night there was a programme on tv and as I have been trying to avoid things which make me anxious it showed stabbing and violent scenes. I sat there but pulled my jumper up over my eyes as it made me feel very uncomfortable. I’m feeling jittery, lightheaded/dizzy (sometimes I have a swishing sound in my ears/head).m and my legs feel weak. Is this because I saw on tv last night and it’s triggered my anxiety?

I am also going back to work tomorrow for 6 hrs as I usually work 12 hr shifts but have been allowed to go back on a phased return as it’s been 10 weeks I have been off. I am feeling apprehensive about it but know I have to go back at some point.

The advice and support I have had on here I am truly grateful for and will continue to put it to good use.

Love and hugs ❤️🌸

[YoullNeverWalkAlone]

Hiya Pink,
So glad you can now see the light at the end of the tunnel, even if it's only a glimmer that's a lot better than were you where a few weeks ago, so your doing something right, so well done you....
Of course the thoughts will still come, they don't just magically disappear but you've worked hard at paying them very little attention, you should be so proud of yourself for what you have so far achieved cause it's not easy....
Without a doubt Pink Flower watching that triggered off the anxiety, you'll have gone to bed with it on your mind, it's happened to me too, adverts can do it too...
If I can't get to the remote, I stick my finger in my ears and sing out loud, either that or leave the room quickly....
All the symptoms you mentioned are all anxiety symptoms and I get them too....
Well done on going back to work, I hope your first shift went well for you, of course you'd be apprehensive, who wouldn't but I'm sure you'll be just fine and before you know it you'll be back to your 12 hours...
Love and hugs to you too xxx

[Pink Flower]

Looking for a little bit of support/advice

I’ve been trying so hard to try and get back to normal. I went back to work on Monday on phase return it was ok but when I got home I started to feel shaky today I am feeling awful. Dizziness/lightheaded with a swishing sound in my head. I feel jittery and shaky and have a headache. I really don’t know what’s going on as it’s been just over 8 weeks since my meds were increased l. It also feels like I’m in a fog and I’m disconnected from my family.. my anxiety is now on overdrive as in the past I have felt much better when the meds have been increased and I’m so worried that because I have been on them for such a long time (low dose) that they are not longer effective then it’s trying to find a new medication and then comes the side effects again and the waiting time to feel better.

Has anyone else been through this when they feel that their medication is not working or do I give it a bit longer? Yesterday I rang the drs to make a appointment but was told to ring back this morning but I didn’t feel as bad then as I do now so I am going to see if I can get an appointment tomorrow. While I am Sat writing this every time I move my head or blink hard I get the whooshing noise and feel so lightheaded.

Thanks for reading. I appreciate it

Pink Flower 🌸

[Sparkle1984]

I think there is still a chance things will improve at your current dose. I've been on my current dose for just over 9 weeks, and although the physical anxiety symptoms have mostly died down, I'm still getting quite a few intrusive thoughts (although it's not as bad as it was a few weeks ago). I'm personally going to wait for 12 weeks in total, and see where I am then.

[Pink Flower]

Hi Sparkle1984

Thankyou for taking the time to read and reply to my message.

I managed to get a Drs appointment today and discussed all of the things I have been experiencing this week and as I know my body I genuinely think it is anxiety which is causing what I have been experiencing ( although some of it is only this week). That’s when I questioned whether the medication is not as effective anymore because after 8 weeks I’m still feeling anxious. He said like you to give it a bit more time as my Sertraline has been increased from 50mg to 150mg in only just over 2 months. I know I can’t rely on medication alone and I have been putting in so much effort to try and get on top of the intrusive thoughts. They do seem to have taken a step backwards as they don’t dominate my every waking hour like they did, that’s a positive. I am waiting to start therapy but the waiting list is around 6 months so any information or advice I get given I receive it with open arms.

The links which you have sent me are going to be extremely helpful I like the sound of the CBT Stress Control. So will look at that later on

I really hope you are feeling better?
Thankyou once again

Big Hugs to everyone 🌸

[Sparkle1984]

It's good that your thoughts are less intrusive than they were. I have found that as well, especially in the last few days, although some days are better than others.

It's interesting how sometimes it can take so long for medication to kick in, and it's not necessarily linear. The first time I took citalopram in 2012, I felt significantly better after about 4 or 5 weeks. The second time around, in 2013, it took a couple of months. The 3rd time, in 2015, it took 3 or 4 months before I started feeling significantly better. Yet, the 4 time around, in 2020, it took only about 6 weeks before I felt a lot better. It seems that this time around (the 5th time) is going to be on the longer side.

[Pink Flower]

Hi Sparkle

Today the sun is shining which helps.

It don’t get when you have a relapse how each episode can take different times before you start to feel/see an improvement. I have been on a low dose of Sertraline (50mg) for many many years and have had it upped when I feel my bucket is starting to fill. (It’s certainly well and truly overflowed this time). This is why I have questioned are they still as effective? When I saw my GP on Thurs he asked me if I thought I had gone back to work too early? I know I have to go back but how do I know when I am ready? My colleagues have said I have done really well taking the first step and coming back but I feel anxious the night before. (I work three 12 hr shifts which can be very stressful). I am currently on a phased return to help me get back up to my 12 hrs. Today whilst I am writing this I am feeling more positive and intrusive the thoughts are quietly sitting on the back burner at the moment and I’m ready if they put in an appearance. Sometimes I think it is false hope I am getting better as I can have a couple of good days and then the anxiety is back. Will this ever go away and will I get back to normal to how I felt before this took hold?

Sparkle I really hope this episode is not going to be a long one for you.

As always thankyou to everyone who has taken the time to read my posts and reply

Much love Pink Flower 🌸