Dealing with stressful situations, anxiety/depression

[[Ni...]]

I noticed a pattern in my withdrawal symptoms. It was weird to me that I gotten worse in the third week from my dose reduction when I was ok the first two.

 

The thing that triggered my withdrawal was stress from hard work I had to do for three days. I had massive anxiety to the point of DP. The symptoms seem to have not subsided even though I increased the dose. But I noticed something.

 

My body has forgotten how to deal with stress. I had withdrawal from hard work, the symptoms then stayed after I increased the dosage because I was stressed out because I had withdrawal symptoms. I realized yesterday after  yet another stressful situation that I'm just overreacting to situations I usually dealt with more rationally.

 

I understand why this is. There is no GABA in me to calm me down and I understand that these symptoms will be there in some way no matter what I do.

 

But are  there some psychological methods or something similar, to deal with stressful situations more effectively? And I would be very thankful if you provided useful articles or books that deal with this issue.

 

 

[[je...]]

Also interested. My brain is really struggling to cope with even minor anxiety or stresses. Stuff that never used to shake me really gets me going and puts me in the throes of panic. I'm reading a lot that it is basically our GABA receptors trying to heal. They are damaged from benzo years and need to rebuild, evidently. I want this to happen now, unfortunately!

[[Th...]]

I'm in the same boat. I noticed stressful situation makes things worse. I have had 3 good days doing all kind of things outside house like going to the market place, driving long distance, some more difficult talks with other people increasing stress etc. Went quite okay but afterwards I felt bad and was very tired. Need to understand that while disruption is good I need to take slow and do much less than what i was used to do before benzo time.

 

In the other hand i have noticed that confidential discussion with the good fried about benzo withdrawal isuues and maybe fried telling about his/her health issues helps, calms feelings and acts like some kind of antistress treatment. Anyone else noticing this?

[[je...]]

Thomas, I actually started seeing a therapist to talk through this whole process because I was terrified I had PTSD after my withdrawal and all the doctors who told me I was imagining it. He has been so helpful in terms of just validating what I was feeling, reassuring me that my feelings and physical/mental symptoms were real, reminding me that brains sometimes do need time to heal, etc. I recommend it for sure!

[[Th...]]

Hi Jessica, totally agree! Good terapist is great help during the benzo withdrawal journey.  T.