Since May of last year I was diagnosed with a mild GAD ...

Dear Customer (name blocked for privacy),

It sounds more obssessive than delusional. Anxiety and OCD (OCD or obssessive compulsive disorder) often occur together. I don't want to give you another diagnosis, but many people that have OCD have it just in regard to their thoughts, rather than for example just in a physical manner, like the person that washes their hands over and over again or has to constantly check locks on the doors, etc. The best thing to do, is to realize that yest you have been under a lot of stress if you have had a lot of deaths in the family, and try not to be too hard on yourself. Besides massage, yoga or Tai chi would be another way for you to learn to relax your muscles while giving your mind other things to focus on. I also have simple deep breathing exercises and visualitzation exercises that I can send to you if you are interested. Lexapro can be helpful with anxiety and OCD but if your symptoms continue to increase and you are not able to practice activities that can help you calm down, you may need an increase in your dosage or another type of antidepressant. But give yourself a chance for the other things that you want to try first.

If this has answered your question please click the ACCEPT button. If not please write back with what you would like to clarify. If you would like the breathing and visualization exercises, let me know, I'll send them to you, no additional cost.

Take care,

Susan

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I would like the breathing and visual exercises too. So this situation with worrying about my neck is nothing physical from this obsessive behavior?

Hello,

Yes I think stress can cause muscle tension, but I think maybe your anxiety is also making your obsess over it. The main thing is I didn't think you were delusional. That would indicate a much more serious mental condition!

It is more common for people with anxiety and stress to worry about symptoms and focus on physical symptoms. You can learn to slow your self down and get your mind onto other things including visualizing a positive outcome for your neck problem and other things you may be worrying about.

These relaxation tips can help. It is best to practice them until they become a habit. If you can learn them at a time when you are calm, happy, and relaxed, that feeling will transfer over when you use these techniques at stressful times.

Do some deep breathing: One of the easiest and most effective techniques is simple slow and deep breathing. Begin by breathing rhythmically and counting in "1, 2, 3, 4" and out "1, 2, 3, 4". When the rhythm is comfortable and relaxing, focus on feeling even more relaxed with each exhalation and feeling warm, light, weightless, and tingling. As you exhale, envision all your tensions and anxieties flowing outward with each breath. Repeat this through out the day. This can keep your anxiety and tension level down by actually decreasing the Co2 in your blood if you perform it frequently enough.

Guided imagery is another relaxation method that you can perform separately or in combination with the deep breathing. Use your imagination to create a pleasant place or event. Perhaps start off like you are going on a journey in a forest, to a mountain, on a ship, etc. Using all your senses, smell pleasant smells, feel warmth, taste something pleasant, hear pleasant sounds, and imagine pleasant surroundings. You can also visualize a positive outcome to your situation or anything else you may be worrying about. It is said that if you can't imagine it first, you won't recognize it when it starts to happen, and you could miss it. Imagine how it would feel to be completely healthy and happy and looking towards the future with excitment.

Here is a web site that has a short relaxation video that you can also try to get an idea on how to get yourself started.

http://community.gaiam.com/gaiam/p/2MinuteStressEscapeGuidedRelaxationwithDrJamesRouse.html

I hope this helps. I'm sorry about your losses. Make sure you have some one to talk to about that if you need to. If you are interested, here is an online site for counselors:

http://www.kasamba.com/ or http://www.kasamba.com/susan-rn-msn-cns

Good luck!

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If satisfied with my answer please click the ACCEPT button. If my answer is exceptionally helpful a Bonus would be really nice.

Susan thanks again for your patience with me and helpful information too. When you mentioned a fracture or extreme instance that was referring to whiplash in a car accident which would result in extreme pain?
Can I still use those patches or just keep using the ibprofen once a day to keep the swelling down.
Also I do not like the way I felt after the first deep tissue massage two weeks ago. I like this other therapist better.
Do you think the deep tissue could have made t worse thanks!

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