Situational Anxiety

[Linda99]

I have a long history of anxiety which arises in certain situations. At 35, I was diagnosed with OCD and took Anafranil for 14 years. Recently, I felt it wasn't working anymore, so for several months, I've been taking 20 mg. daily of Paxil. Now another anxiety-filled situation has arisen. I've lost my job, and am fortunate to have a number of other positions to chose from. I am afraid I may be settling for a job that causes the least anxiety rather than one that will challenge me. People consider me bright and capable. But I am afraid to go with a more challenging job or one with more hours because I have this terrible anxiety that in learning something new, I will experience undue anxiety which will carry over into the night time and I will toss and turn and be anxious instead of sleeping at night!! And I am anxious about not sleeping and not being able to cope the next day. Can you help me? Is there some kind of medication I can take which will cure these awful thoughts and obsessions and at the same time allow me to relax enough to sleep at night? I don't want to keep settling for less in life than I am capable of. I thought Paxil was working, but when my job was cut, I panicked and already turned down a good position due to my fear of anxiety=not sleeping=not coping.
Thank you for any advice.

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

First of all, you are right to seek a way to continue to challenge yourself at work.  That is very important.  There are two methods that will work quite well. The first is psychotherapy, so you learn what this is all about and how to cope with it better.  The second is simply a night time medication like ambien...If you worry during the day during your transitional time on the job, you can be assured of a good nights sleep with Ambien.

[benharper]

Linda99 im so glad u posted, I may be 17, but Ive had OCD for a few years now, im sure of it because what you described is exactly how i feel about it. I cope with it by getting the most easy and secluded job i can, dishwashing, im 17 so its ok and i cant get much better anyways.but already im nervous about if they ask me to be a busser. I just started going to a physcologist and he said marijuana definatly makes it worse so i stopped. i know vicidin works but thats bad for you, i was self medicating with it for months and i stopped with a finally of miserable withdrawels, i just want you to know i was helped by your post. Im sure you will find a place u are satisfied with in your job.

[Linda99]

Benharper: thank you for replying to my post. My heart goes out to you because I know what you're going through. From 50 years of anxiety, I can tell you that you have to "feel the fear and do it anyway" and that the anticipation is almost always worse than the actual thing you fear. So I will confront my fears and I know you'll confront yours also. But it sure isn't easy when you have anxiety problems and/or OCD!! I will be thinking of you.;

Linda99

[WISEOLGRANDPA]

You are right Linda99.....I've had this problem for 40+ years, and I have found that the only way to handle it...