Stress Center Peer Support

Hi all,

I'm new to the program. First week. I have had OCD/anxiety issues for the past 12 years. But I have always been able to keep them under control. Distraction and deep breathing are my best two weapons. In January I quit smoking using the drug Chantix. But because of all the side effects I decided to go off the Chantix. That's when the anxiety and panic started. It was so bad that I ended up starting smoking again. (one more thing to feel guilty about) I started seeing my psychiatrist again and he put me on my meds. I also ordered the program. I have read the book so many times, I should probably get a new copy. I don't know if the quitting smoking, periomenopause, or life changes set me off, but am having a really difficult time with the anxiety this time. I am hoping that following the program will give me the tools that I need to learn to handle this and put it in my past once and for all. Reading the posts on here is really helpful. Not that I would wish this on my worse enemy, but nice to know you are not the only one. When I am in the "moment", I stress about everything. Tonight I started worrying about money, even though there isn't really an issue. But I've convinced myself there is. Does anyone else do this? Have an OCD moment, than turn it around to absolutely everything. Any help would be appreciated.

krisse, most definitely! Once the panic about a scary thought begins, watch out! For me, every thought & outlook turns 100% negative. Everything is blown out of proportion in a negative direction. If I have a passing negative thought without the anxiety & panic involved, it doesn't stick with me. But when I get bent out of shape with a scary though it's like I am on high sensitivity mode and any bad scenario I can think of must be true & every bad scenario I will probably think of! I have to keep reminding myself it's just my anxiety affecting my views & not reality & the less I dwell on the anxiety, the faster the sensitivity goes away & reality & optimism starts to set in again. Hang in there. I think you will learn a lot from the program. Good luck, you cant do it!

I'm a lot like you. I actually do the money panic often. I used to wake up in the night and think "I'm going to end up with nothing to retire on. I'm going to be homeless." There is no cause for these thought. I am not wealthy but there is no reason to think I will be broke yet, I did it over and over again.

I am doing much better now. I try to "talk to myself" like I would talk to a friend who was worrying needlessly and I distract myself.

What side effects did you have wih Chantix? I work in a pharmacy. (I know ironic.) I've heard mostly good reviews. Do you think the worsening anxiety was caused by begining to smoke again? I wonder if you try to cut down a little if that would help? Watch your caffiene too. I hope this helps.

I agree with Hope about the high sensitivity once you get in that "panic mode". It really helps me to talk to my spouse or best friend because they listen and then tell me really calmly "You might be over reacting a little bit why don't we talk about something less up setting for a while." and they help distract me.

I do the same thing. Worrying and overthinking are my biggest issues.

It's really good that you know your best weapons to combat your symptoms. Keep up with those. And don't beat yourself up about smoking again. I did the same exact thing. I quit cold turkey last May, and started back up in February because of my anxiety. It happens, and you are allowed to slip up. I also felt really guilty about it because everyone was so proud of me, but I got over that and realized everyone makes mistakes.

Another technique you could try to fight your anxious feelings would be to confront them. Deep breathing and distractions are good for a temporary fix, but is it really solving the issue? You should make a list of all the worrisome thoughts you have on one side of a piece of paper. Just write down anything that causes you stress or worry. On the other side, try to come up with realistic solutions or things you could do to lessen the anxiety you feel over the situation/issue.

If you worry about finances, maybe figure out what you can do to ease the anxiety over it. Create a budget or something to reassure yourself that you are financially stable. If you worry about feeling anxious all the time, tell yourself that it's temporary and it will get better. If you are worried about smoking again, remember, it's just a bad habit. You can kick it again when you feel better.

There are lots of ways to talk yourself out of worry, and re-adjust your thinking habits. I am just learning them.

Chantix isn't an SSRI. It is a smoking cessation drug only. FYI.