Chris1987

Nothing to be honest as I'm a busy father. I try not to show how I'm feeling. I just ride it out.

I am currently experiencing a state of heightened anxiety, characterized by feelings of panic, worry, and fear. I am particularly concerned about the potential impact of my mental health on my family and my ability to cope with the challenges ahead. I find myself consumed by negative thoughts about the future, particularly regarding the possibility of my mental state deteriorating further. This current episode of anxiety is particularly perplexing as I did not experience similar symptoms during a previous period of instability four years ago. The intensity and nature of my current anxiety feel unprecedented and overwhelming. My mind races at an alarming pace, constantly generating the most dire scenarios. I am plagued by fears about my future, even though I recognize that such fears may be unfounded. The severity of my anxiety can be debilitating, sometimes leading to physical symptoms such as nausea. Amidst this turmoil, I am also concerned about the effectiveness of my current medication. I fear that it may eventually cease to provide relief, leaving me without hope for improvement.

I do not believe that this is OCD, but then again, OCD can manifest in different ways in different individuals, so it is possible that it could be. In essence, anxiety comes on suddenly, without any apparent reason. The thoughts that accompany it are distressing and frightening. I do not believe that I do anything to try to get rid of these thoughts and feelings, as there is nothing that I can do. I simply endure them and continue on with my life. The only thing that I do is inform my partner whenever this happens.

However, the thoughts arise when the anxiety begins. When this occurs, I experience physical discomfort and a sense of hopelessness. Some of the thoughts that come to mind are: "I am unable to manage this," "What if the medication is ineffective? What will I do?" "I cannot abandon my family," "Will I ever recover?" and "What if this drives me insane and I do something foolish?" It is important to note that I did not experience these thoughts four years ago when I believed I had done something wrong. This is a new development, and I am uncertain whether it is related to Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) or Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD).

Hello, Thank you for your response. My sleep is satisfactory. This all began shortly before Christmas when I experienced a panic attack during the night. However, I find that going to bed is a relief as it is when I feel less anxious. I am hopeful that this will pass or that the thoughts and feelings associated with it will change. In the meantime, I am learning to react to the thoughts differently.

I'm not sure what I'm experiencing now is ocd or not. I believe I was experiencing it for the past 5 years. I was convinced and somewhat still am that ive done this horrible thing even there is no proof to suggest and I was getting much better over time to the point where I felt I was back to normal. Anyways over Xmas I had a panic attack whilst in bed and ever since then I've had the thoughs and feelings of "I can't cope with this intense anxiety, what if I get to the point where I just cant live like it anymore". I went to the docs who prescribed me sertraline again and I found for the first few weeks it got worse but the doctor said that can be expected. After around 6 weeks I felt better, anxiety nearly gone but then one night it came back with and the same thoughts and feelings kicked in not being able to cope and thinking about what if it comes to a point where i do something stupid. So went back to doc who then used my sertraline which I've been on for 4 weeks now. The anxiety comes and goes but when it is here it's just feels like a big dark cliid over me and I'm not going to lie but suicide appears in my head. I don't want to do anything alo g those lines as I have a loving family by why is it I'm thinking this way. The funny thing is the thing that I obsessed over for 5 years is not the thing that I'm worried about now. I do have ocd and I feel it's an extra factor as I feel im obsessing over these thoughts but I don't know if a person without ocd does this or not. I just wish the thoughts were about something esle not somwthing thats end all. I just don't want to do anything and all happiness is sucked out of me. I'm genuinely worried about panicking about panicking if that makes sense. I worried what if it all becomes to much, what's that going to feel like and how am I going to react. I'm not sure if this is the work of ocd, the sertraline having adverse effect. Has anyone felt like this and what did you do. I hate the feeling of anxiety, it scares the hell out of me, I'm genuinely scared of my future mental health.

I'm waiting to see seennfir either HIT or CBT Thanks

Hello, Not really an OCD question but a medication question. I have been taking sertraline now for about 8/9 weeks, the first 3/4 I felt worse than I did before I started. The following weeks got much better to the point my anxiety felt like it had gone away. I've had a fab few weeks but yesterday I had this sudden feeling of dread and anxiety and my mind latched onto it. Today I'm feeling more anxious and worrying about it. My worries are "What if the sertraline is wearing off and there is no hope for me then" "what if I can't handle the horrible feeling of dread and worry I migjt do something stupid" My question can this happen. Can you still have moments when you feel like you did before the medication? I'm just really worried now and obsessing over the negative outcomes and going down a rabbit hole that feels where I'm going to go. Any advice or experience would be great.

Hi Angels. I'm really the wrong person to be asking as 4 years on and I'm still obsessing. I do try and lable it as ocd but there's always that what if it isn't ocd. I believe this is a common thing too. I'm afraid to lable it as 100% ocd just incase it isn't. I'm really sorry this not the answer you want so hopefully someone else might be able to help.

See now this bothers me as makes my anxiety rise. Not blaming you at all just reading something that might make me feel bad and then I obsess over it. Basically I have used your example above and applied it to my situation. Basically 4 years ago I felt like I did something really bad, I had no idea what it was, no thought, no image but just all the thoughts and feelings of wrong doing. At the time of it happening I tried and tried to retrace my steps and retrace my my memory at the time and there's nothing. I went to the ends of the word to try and prove I did nothing wrong. Now I'm afraid that one day I'll wake up in the middle of the night or dream about the missing but of memory that I did do this thing but with this there's no going back to check to prove like you finding the file. I hope this makes sense and again this is not a negative at you it's just made me think.....what if that happens to me

I've been there too. Give this a read https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/stronger-fear/201912/ocd-isn-t-thought-problem-it-s-feeling-problem

Okay thanks for your input all. Again it's much appreciated.

Over Christmas I had a panic attack and since then I've been in a state of constant fight or flight mode. The anxiety is horrible. When I was having the attack the thoughts of suicide were present. I've never had this before and it scared me so much. Since that night I've been in a state of constant anxiety and thoughts of suicide are constantly coming up. I don't know if it's a side effect of sertraline as I've only been on them for 3 weeks or of its ocd. These thoughts are horrible. Just to clarify I do not want to act upon these thoughts but I've had thoughts of "what if this all gets too much, what if I do something" I have completely changed since that night. I don't want to do anything, I'm worried, feel doomed, feel scared and just really anxious. I'm constantly having these suicide thoughts and like I said I don't know if its ocd as I'm constantly thinking about them or a side effect. Also does ocd cause anxiety? It's mad as my last problem that I've had for the past 4 years is in the back of my mind now as this is now concerning me but I feel deep down it all stems from it.

Thank you all. I've been on sertraline before about 3 years back but it wasn't for anxiety more ocd. Now I'm experiencing extreme anxiety I'm back on them. I never felt this way before when I was on them previously. I'm going to the doctors this morning just to ask if this is normal to be getting worse before I get better. I really hope I can get past this. Thanks again

Hello I'm in a constant state of anxiety. Stuck in the fight or flight mode and I cannot stick it. My thoughts are all negative and lead in a downward spiral. Been like this since a panic attack over Christmas and having really bad thoughts about not coping. Doctor prescribed me sertraline that I've been on for two weeks, I feel worse than I did back two weeks ago. I'm not sure if this is a side effect, normal effect or just that I'm getting worse. I'm constantly feel doomed, fearful and worried about my future mental health. I can't think positive it's all negative and the thoughts of "what if you can't cope with this for much longer" are here. Why is my mind constantly churning over these thoughts of what if I do something stupid. It's really getting to me. I don't want to do anything, I just want to curl up and cry but that won't help. I'm not even sure if this is an ocd post.