feeling like I'm going crazy again...

[itsjustme]

I had been doing pretty well, but anxiety has hit hard again. I'm back to feeling like I must have something worse than anxiety and I must be going crazy. I have nightmares everynight and this just makes me feel like my mind must be sick. I walk around thinking that someday soon I'm just going to become afraid of absolutely everything and just be a shaking mess that has to stay house-bound. 

Anyone else have nightmares a lot?
Anyone else fear that they might just become afraid of everything?

I hate it...I feel like I'm screaming inside.

[apple]

I do have nightmares.  Sometimes I feel like my mind it trying to work out things while I'm sleeping.  Course that doesnt mean it doesnt bother me.  Your not alone and you will not go crazy.

[Basil]

I completely understand where you're coming from... in fact I think I've said the phrase "I'm going crazy" or "I'm losing it" at least 20 times this week.

What helps me is what my therapist once told me. I entered therapy a few years ago in an attempt to control my panic attacks. I told him I felt like I was going crazy. I honestly thought his reaction would be one of, "Yes, you are crazy", and that I would probably be referred to an institution.

But instead, he said "If you think you're going crazy than you aren't. The people who actually are crazy don't ever know they are. They think that EVERYONE ELSE is crazy."

Hope that helps.

[ocdengineer]

Basil is right.  If you were crazy, you wouldn't know it.  I have nightmares that are so graphic and intense that they make most horror movies pale in comparison.  That is still a source of grief for me.  I'll have a nightmare and obsess about it for most of the day, or it will set my anxiety level at high and I will be really anxious all day.  The only thing that helps me with that is meditation.  I take Xanax, but that doesn't stop the thought intrusions like, "what if I am going crazy", "am I a danger to my family", "what if I lose control of my body and hurt someone" etc.  These are all common thoughts that most drugs won't touch and in my experience with drugs is that the SSRI's or antidepressants actually make the thoughts worse and the nightmares more frequent.  I can't take that kind of medication at all.  Xanax eliminates my major anxiety and meditation helps me to understand my thoughts and learn to let them go without attaching any kind of emotion to them.  One time sitting and you will see why you are anxious.  You won't be able to quiet your mind to save your life!  It is really difficult.  I have been practicing for years and still can't quiet my mind all the time, but it always is 15-30 minutes of really solid relaxation which is also helpful.  If I miss one day of meditation I can usually count on a rough day.  I also eat well and exercise.  I quit drinking, smoking, and caffeine.  All of this will help you to get away from those anxious times, but the first step is forcing yourself to get out of bed in the morning.

I hope you feel better,
OE