I'm a list maker. When I'm stressed, if I can get some kind of step by step plan on paper, it keeps my brain from going over it again and again. And even though I know this about myself, I'm horrible about remembering it when I'm in deep stress. And then I feel like a dolt when I do remember. Stupid brain.

At this point, making contingency plans and lists just makes my anxiety go to 11. I'm kind of disgusted with myself that I'm just helplessly flailing, but that's where I am, so I guess I have to own it.

Is yoga helping at all?

Making me more bendy, maybe. But I can't shut my brain up to get centered.

but that's where I am, so I guess I have to own it.

Yeah, that's probably a good idea. I'm sorry that this is eating your brain; it's the worst feeling. I wish I could help.

For what it's worth, Tep, Pristiq has been a miracle drug for me in controlling anxiety and depression. I have a Xanax prescription for emergencies, but I honestly haven't needed it in more than a year. I've had no weight gain or other side effects (I gained a ton of weight on Zoloft), and it's made me a functional, happier human. Not saying that's the answer for you, but I just know how crippling that level of anxiety is.

Like Sharknado, but cute.

Smonster, are you gonna shoot him? For the irony. Tep, jeez, I'm sorry. Sometimes you just have to take it hour by hour.

erika, haaa.

I hope I didn't make your anxiety worse by problem-solving, Steph. I know that's annoying when sometimes you just want to vent. Wish there was something additional we could do to help.

I hope I didn't make your anxiety worse by problem-solving, Steph.

Nope, you didn't. It's pretty much only when *I* start making lists and worst-case scenario plans that my brain curls up in a fetal position.

My therapist told me I was NOT to think about my stressors. She said she usually told patients to face their anxieties and work through them, but all I did was obsess about them until I was basically paralyzed. When I started to go into what I call the "Robin Death Spiral," I had to make myself stop thinking. Watch a movie, read a book, play a game, whatever distracted me. I was to think about my big issues with her or in terms of active problem solving but not play them in my head as an endless anxiety loop. It took a while to learn to disengage, and I had to do it over and over, but it really helped me.

When I started to go into what I call the "Robin Death Spiral," I had to make myself stop thinking. Watch a movie, read a book, play a game, whatever distracted me.

Hey, you're me! Although my spiral looks a lot like beth's "every possible outcome" thing, just with added crippling anxiety.