Hi everyone. I have been dealing with GAD for several years. It has had highs and lows but has recently gotten bad so I need to get back into therapy. Previously I had used a counselor, but I'm realizing I need to find someone much more focused on helping my specific problems. Any suggestions are welcome if my symptoms sound familiar to anyone.
From day to day I tend to have a low level anxiety and worry about things too much. I have OCD tendencies (washing too much, some counting) but nothing that interferes with my life too much. The big difficulties come on events that I get excited about (mainly vacations or trips). I get incredibly obsessive, start to worry mainly about physical problems (checking my body and becoming terrified I have cancer), and basically ruin every big thing in my life I look forward to.
I also have had, for most of my life, extreme apprehension at taking certain trips. When I was young it was things like camping or a night over at a friend's house (I developed this inexplicable fear that I wouldn't be able to fall asleep). It has extended in my adult life to fear of travel to some places overseas. I will plan a trip that I'm truly excited for, and all of a sudden I will develop this dread about going to the place that I can't explain or fight off. Recently it is interfering with a trip I need to take for work, and I have concerns for my career.
Sorry for the long post. If anybody can suggest a way to approach these issues I'd greatly appreciate it. Thank you.