Overthinking every decision is driving me mad

[Calmasa]

That’s just it really. From health issues to holidays to trivial things- I wish I could stop thinking of every possible thing that could go wrong, stop dithering and just get on with things. It seems my be getting worse and worse. Also ocd is getting worse - considering SSRIs

Anyone got any wise words or advice?

I overthoght every work thing, couldn’t sleep as I’d be too worried I hadn’t done x at work, or something simple as photocopying hadn’t been done properly that kind of thing. I’m now on medication to deal with depression and anxiety. It’s a big step but work to your GP

@VioletOcean sorry to hear that 😞
Can I ask what medication you take for the anxiety?

Propranolol
I started having panic attacks and take one when the anxious feeling starts creeping up

@VioletOcean thanks - hope it helps. I thought you might be taking an SSRI as I’ve been told they can help with anxiety too.

Anyone else got any advice? Especially those who take SSRIs for anxiety. TIA😊

I take fluoxetine for anxiety and depression. I also have techniques I use to cope with it. Getting outside, exercise, distraction etc. huge difference.

@Wolfiefan thank you 😊 My doctor has suggested fluoxetine and a few others. I’d understood fluoxetine was more for depression than anxiety- do you find it helps your anxiety and keeps you calmer?

It really does. Plus if I do get at all anxious it helps me feel able to use the techniques.

I'm like this too it totally ruins my life. I am on day 10 of starting fluoxetine 20mg. I'm actually finding Iv been having a few more intrusive thoughts for these past couple of days which is triggering my anxiety. It says on the leaflet that these meds can sometimes make things worse before they make you feel better. I certainly hope so I will continue to take them and hope things improve. Did anyone else taking fluoxetine experience this? And did things improve?

I’ve just been reading about SSRIs. It says fluoxetine can actually cause anxiety and nervousness 😟 Does anyone take Citalopram or Escitalopram for anxiety, overthinking, ocd?

I look citalopram for some time. It was amazing! My obsessive thinking just melted away. I'm now on venlafaxine as you can't stay on citalopram long-term. The obsessive thinking has now creeped back...

I'm the same as you, real bad worrier and over think absolutely everything ! Also have ocd which is worse when I'm anxious.
I was on and off fluoxetine for years but actually found it was making me worse, I was having anxiety attacks and it was stopping me carrying on my normal day to day activities.
I came off the fluoxetine completely and I'm not on anything now, I just try and do abit of excerise or recognise when I'm unnecessarily worrying. Of course I have bad days though. Propranolol works for the physical effects of anxiety but won't do anything for the mental effects, but it's good not to have the physical feelings of it.
Just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't for you, there is also sertraline and citralopram to look at if that's the route you want to go down.

@jorisisboris pleased the meds helped you. I didn’t know you couldn’t use Citalopram long term?

I found yoga with adriene 30 dag challenge really helpful. See how you feel about the month. Good luck OP

@Calmasa may I ask how old you are? Only reason is that I was exactly the same, then discovered I was peri-menopausal and my anxiety etc have greatly reduced since I began HRT - it may be something to consider.

@Onynx I’m already on hrt ehich had been absolutely amazing for stopping hot flushes. I’ve suffered with anxiety and off for over 20 years!

I am taking venlafaxine 225 mg but I am slowly weaning myself off them. I am down to 150 mg now. They did work wonders for me x

Have you tried any meditation/mindfulness type stuff? I was pretty much in your shoes before Christmas, then tried the Smiling Mind app as my GP recommended it. I found it really helps my mind just to calm the hell down a bit 😁 and stop running at 100mph the whole time.

Probably wouldn't work for everyone, but worth a shot if you haven't tried it yet.

I'm like this too, even now it seems overwhelming to decide when to go out with the DC, and this includes every aspect of should I put my clothes on now or make lunch first or get DC dressed first or go a bit later and pop to a playgroup or go swimming or the park, which park, should I do a bit of work now or later etc. The result is that it's 12.30 and I've got nothing done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

@Whelmed so sorry that you suffer too 😞 Different decisions but that could be me. Do you take anything to help?

Might sound odd, but have you had your iron levels checked? I use to get severe anxiety and when I started taking iron supplements it pretty much went. I also find massage and mindfulness useful for when I’m really stressed.

@MishWoking yes and all fine!