Posted 6/6/2011 11:21 AM (GMT -5)
Hi CB and welcome to the A/P forum at HealingWell:) I am sorry that you have been dealing with anxiety, and it's effects. You are wise to seek help for this, as it does affect one's life, relationships, work and over-all well being.
It does seem as if you have some OCD tendencies going along with your anxiety. The repeating of phrases in an attempt to keep things 'safe/okay' is often an attempt at controlling the worries that bother us. This definitely fits with in the anxiety spectrum and is treatable with medication, therapy, or both.
Since you have found that medications are not for you, then I would suggest finding a therapist who treats GAD/OCD. There is a therapy called CBT which teaches you to combat worrisome thoughts, thus changing anxious behaviors which has been proven highly effective for both these problems.
Also check out our own Anxiety Resource Guide (3rd post main page) for some great links to sites that teach relaxation, breathing exericses, even a free on-line therapy site.
I hope that you can get the help that you need. I encourage you to keep posting here as well. We are a community who supports and understands each other, so welcome aboard;)
Take care,
Scaredy Cat