I think I'm going insane. I have been obsessing about something last night and I can't shake it. I need to see a doctor. I couldn't get anything done at work today because I couldn't concentrate. It's just that horrible feeling that something really bad is going to happen. I have tried subliminal CDs and I bought the Anxiety & Phobia workbook. It works for most of my small anxiety issues, but this one is huge. I keep telling myself no medication because the side effects are horrible. I took Effexor XR a few years ago for about 3 months and gained a lot of weight, I was tired all the time, and really spacey.

Who is the best person to see? Psychiatrist, Psychologist, or just a regular counselor? I'm ready for serious help, I can't enjoy anything or look forward to anything, because of constant worry. I can't live this way anymore.

You sound exactly like me. And like me, you don't want to post it because someone might say something that'll make you worry more? Its hell. Pure Hell. I too obsess about horrible things, all day, every day, 365 days a year.

People have said that Prozac helps with unwanted thoughts. But I did find that talk therapy is helpful and it is hard to open up.

Have you had your thyroid tested? I am a bit hypo (4.565 TSH) and have been on Synthroid for 10 days and have felt about 10% relief. Not much but ten percent is worth a million bucks for any relief.

I hope you get better, you're not alone...

Also, I have found that Xanax does help a bit. I dont want an SSRI either. Side effects are intolerable for me.

May I ask if you're male or female? Im a guy...

I was here once. I'm happy to say that my anxiety is mild these days in comparison to what it was at one point in my life. I'm female and my anxiety turned around after becoming pregnant. My baby is almost a year old and the anxiety monster has started creeping back in slowly. But - I'm trying to keep me mind on track with good thoughts AND I'm staying off the internet trying to curb my tendency to self-diagnose. STARZ - there are lots of meds out there so please try a different one. I highly recommend xanax simply because you only take it as needed. I'm very parnoid about taking meds and it has become a crutch for me. I haven't taken one in almost 2 years, but knowing it's there if needed helps tremendously. SADFREEK - hang in there and please don't feel ashamed to post your feelings - we've all been there before.

I'm female, 28. It's kinda wierd, I've always been a little on the anxious side, but I really began to notice it about 4 years ago. I've actually gotten to the point where if I'm not worried about something I start thinking that things are too good to be true and will try to find something to worry about. I think that's my excessive need for control. Ick, this is unhealthy. I'm going to look into meds. Effexor really worked, nearly got rid of the anxiety symptoms, my life was peaceful for the first time in a long time, the side effects were too yucky though. I'll figure something out though. Thanks for the support.

Starz...read over both your posts....read the first one, then look at the second one..you see a difference? I do.One you are just so wraped up in what is going on, and in the second one, I see a calmer post..that is a good thing.

Most all of the meds work, but they are not all the same for each person, get a good doc, and find one that works for you.

I get wrapped up in unwanted thoughts....I think it is part OCD, but without all the hadnwashing stuff that goes with it.....and my thought are bad...like with my health, in my "right" mind I know I am healthy...but in the "unrealistic" part of my mind I think there is all kinds of major problems.

It is weird, but it is not always going to be this way!...Meds are there for a reason, check it out!

Good Luck too!...=)

What may I ask were your side effects with taking Effexor?
I seem to have anxiety issues over a variety of things. For one thing, I can't seem to find a job that I am happy doing or even trying. I have been working in a seasonal job that only employs me in Spring and Fall. I seem to have set up a "comfort zone" at this job. I get along with everyone there but the pay sucks. I don't know why I stay there. I get no benefits and there really is no advancement. I go on interviews and get applications...but I still consider myself unskilled. I want to go back to school for something (I'm 38) but I don't know what. I have a useless art degree from 1991 which has gotten me nowhere. I want a real career, but I don't want to spend four years in a school at my age. Plus, the fact that I still live with my parents! I have been in and out of my parents' home over the last 25 years. I don't know if I 'm just depressed or have some sort of seperation anxiety? I get along with my parents great but it has really affected my state of mind. I know I should be out of there. Most people that still live with their parents don't even realise it. I stress out constantly...thinking to myself that if only I had a real career, I could have my own place. Only, nothing seems to be working.

Hi Wolfman,

I was sick the first day I was on Effexor, a lot like morning sickness but it went away mid-morning. The first few weeks it was fatigue, lack of sex drive, weight gain. That was about it, but after 3 months I was still taking 2 hour naps daily and I can't be doing that. Plus, I would get REALLY tired when I was driving and almost fall asleep. The weight gain was really tough too, I gained about 30 pounds in those 3 months. As soon as I went off I lost all that weight. I know that I really can't blame the meds for the weight gain per se, I think because my nerves weren't frazzled on a daily basis my metabolism slowed down as a result. Effexor worked wonders as far as anxiety but I decided to do a major lifestyle change and get off the meds. I ended up dropping out of college and cutting my hours back at work. I was a single mom trying to do too much. I was doing ok for a while keeping the anxiety at bay, but it's crept back and now interfering with my life, only this time I'm only working 20 hours a week. It's starting to interfere with my life, it's hard for me to look forward to anything because I fear something bad will happen. That's why I'm drawing the line and getting help now.

I'm starting Zoloft tomorrow and hoping I'll have better results with it. Ya know, I hear you about the "comfort zone" thing. I'm all about stability. I do not do well with change at all. It scares the daylights outta me. My anxiety really acts up then. Maybe this is what you're experiencing? I worked for a company for 4 years. All I did all day long was pick up bags and deliver them. That's it. I drove my own car and did that all day. But ya know what? I always thought to myself, if this job paid slightly better, I'd probably do it for the rest of my life, because I felt safe there. No boss looking over my shoulder, I knew the job inside and out. I ended up quitting to finish school which I'm still working on.

Are you taking any medication, or thinking about it?

A Psychiatrist is whom you need to see because they can give you meds then and there without going back and forth with your family doctor.
After suffering 30years with anxiety/panic, I went and saw a Psychiatrist 2 weeks ago.
They know the best meds for us. I was on Buspar and xanax by my family doctor whom is the one that recommended I seek a Psychiatrist for proper help because of allthe side affects the SSRI's gave me.
I also get to speak with a counselor each time I go then into the docs office.
He changesmy meds to lexapro nkowing full well my intolerance to SSRI's, he started me at a very low dose 5 mg and is not raising it until I can tolerate this dose. He also gave me what I am calling my life saver at the moment, Its XANAX XR. Its helping with any side affects from the lexapro, so far its given me nausea and headache but the benefit is worth it. The xanax xr stays in my body unlike the regular xanax which is only a quick fix. It has let me BREATHE, my mind is going 24/7.
Seeing the Psychiatrist was my best move to date.

Whoa..Starz...that's just uncanny that we are alike in that way. When I initially went to art school (around 1989-1991) I felt invigorated like I could take on the world. I made the move to Atlanta and i was so proud of myself for doing it on my own. But then the pressures of school, bad roommates, and the love of my life crushed me...I turned to the wrong crowd..and partied it all away. I dropped out of school for a quarter but returned to finish and get my degree. I stuck it out there, still partying and wasn't doing any real job search for my degree in Visual Communications. I worked at a sporting goods store for 3 years until I finally had a friend of mine approach me with an art job. So, I quit the store job, worked freelance making $7.50 an hour-drawing a safety comic book. Well, that ended and I saw nothing come out of it. I then went BACK to the same store...worked there another 2 years and moved up to department manager. ABout 6 months after my promotion...the store goes out of business. I think that's how it went..well, you get the idea. So, now I am back in PA. I had a "friend" of mine give me a job in Texas working in IT..but I was totally green. He told me he would train me once I gotthere...but instead throws all these books at me. Well, I've never been much of a study guy, I learn better with people showing me. I was staying at his house with his family, and he's cheating on his wife when she was out of town. I couldn't take it. I started to really stress bad...losing weight, popping stomach pills, swigging Maalox, drinking way too much coffee and eating too much fast food...even typing this all..bothers me..but I believe I am over it. When I told him I was visiting the doctor because I didn't feel well...he was calling me a hypocondriac. He expected me to have all this money saved to get my own place, but I was spending it on tolls, gas, and bills. When I told him I wanted to go home and get healthy, he flipped. Basically he threw me out in a week's time.He was poison in my life and I am now done with him. I moved back to PA, depressed and skinney. Somewhere on this board I have the whole story....maybe under depression.
Anyhoo...how old are you Starz? What are you doing now for work? What are you going to school for? Trust me, you are NOT alone. I'm not on any meds except that Librax for IBS and it is also anti-anxiety. But I do have scattered thoughts. Mostly on what I want to do with my life. Somedays I think I should try acting or be a comedian and then i think I just want a normal stable job and a family. We should chat more, Starz. Take care of yourself and stay on course.