Stress Center Peer Support

I have had anxiety and depression for a long time now and for the past year I have been working really hard on working through it which has been working really well, but the past three months have been awful. I feel like I am back where I started.

Everything I have had a hard time with has come screaming back to me. I go to college which has become impossible for me. I can rarely drive, I have become really depressed, and I have horrible night sweats and nightmares.I wake up everyday feeling extremely dizzy and anxious. Some days I can get a handle on it through self talk, positive thinking, and breathing technique.

I know that anxiety will always be a roller coaster and not everyday is going to be anxiety free, but what I don't understand is why all of the sudden I have gotten worse. I take 200mg of zoloft that I have been on for about 3 years, and I usually take 1-2mg of xanax a day.

I'm just very discouraged today, and I am wondering if I need a change in medication? It's really starting to scare me. Any thoughts would be really appreciated.

Hi Anna,

I think with this program when you let it work for you things will fall into place and they will fall quickly into place. You may have a down time but it will not last. I see you have been part of the forums since early 08. Just relax do the relaxation cd over and over, it will help just go thru the steps and you'll feel like the you that you want to be.

Hi there,

You are not alone. Many of us have been where you were, got better and were at where you are at now. It is a vicious cycle. Sometimes it comes back full force and you wonder what happened. Is there more stress in your life now? Are you bothered by anything or what has your thinking been about? Examine your thoughts and maybe you'll see what lead up to this. I checked out your profile and see you struggle with obsessive thots. They can cause many problems. Believe me I have to find that a lot. I don't take xanax every day but mine seems hormonal because I need it every month like 3-4 days in a row. This has gone on for years. The night sweats I'm wondering are you in menopause or are you too young? I have no idea of your age. Before I was 40 I had a hysterectomy. They left me with one ovary. I had 2-3 good yrs. and then major hormone prob. It was controlled some with hormonal med but I've been on different ones for 20 yrs. and decided no matter what I was not going back on. So my face gets red in public sometimes, oh well...life goes on.

Work the program once again as wildcard said. Read the forums and don't forget to post how you're doing. I wouldn't be surprised if not too short a time you're posting in the triumph section.

Thank you guys so much for your encouraging thoughts. I'm trying really hard to stay positive and remember that I can get through it. Your right Barb I do have horrible obsessive thoughts which I think feeds into my anxiety. I'm 24 so I doubt its menopause:)It may be a side effect to my medication. Thanks again you guys It really helps me knowing people are reading my posts and wanting to help:)