How do I not ruin my life with worrying?

[twelveactions]

Genuinely curious to hear from anyone who has advice or has dealt with this.

My whole life, I've been in survival mode and essentially always think worst case scenario.

DP not replied to text? Maybe he's cheating or doesn't like me anymore.
Best friend being a bit more dry than usual? Maybe she's upset with me and will betray me.
Boss wants to talk to me? I'm going to get fired.
Tell someone vulnerable information they won't think twice about? They're gonna expose me.
Puts social media profile on public or has name on profile? Maybe someone will harm me.

I've been to therapy for years, and I notice when I do go, I'm in a self help vicious circle for years and years. I have the knowledge I'm doing the above and I know why I do it - but sometimes that's not enough. I cannot rehash my childhood every week, I know it inside and out and why this is the way I am. It's got to the point I now cringe when I'm reading about anxiety and attachment and things because I know it inside out.

Any tips or any experiences for this 20 something year old so she doesn't watch the rest of her life pass her by, as she's scared to actually live her life?

Omg this thread is enlightening! So much good advice here. Mumsnet is amazing sometimes.

Sorry to hijack your thread OP, but those people who have taken antidepressants, can I ask how you felt when you started them? I’ve been thinking about asking my GP but I’m worried about side effects.

@Footballmatchdilemma
I had taken escilatopram for 2 years or so and I felt fine ( some issues with the sex drive and also some sugar cravings).

Last year I tried sertraline for 4 months but unfortuntaly the side effects were brutal (weight loss, sugar cravings, hot flushes, hand tremor, brain fog) and although my mood substantially improved, I had to stop them. I have been AD free for 4 months now and I am fine. The only issues I have are related to sleep (I can sleep properly only on AD, anxiety or sleep medication, but I can't take any of them anymore). I know sertraline does magic on many people.

It takes a bit of time for your body to get adjusted to them, so you need to be patient.