How to cope with anxiety after drinking?

Hi,

I've always suffered with anxiety when drinking, but last weekend i went out on a work Christmas party and got very drunk. At the time i thought i was drunk, but happy and happy to dance the night away chatting to people. When i woke up in the morning with a hangover, i realized i couldnt remember patches of the night. Now i am convinced that during this blackout patches, i must have cheated on my husband, or i must have said something i shouldnt have. My friend was with me and said i didnt do anything but i have this knot in my stomach that i must have done something and it will come out and ruin my life. Deep down i know i havent done anything because i remember getting home, i remember going to bed, so why would i not remember doing something like cheating. I have OCD and suffer with Intrustive thoughts. Is this False memories, and is my OCD and intrustive thoughts making my anixety worse. I can't speak to my husband about this because he will just think i have done something but i know deep down i didnt. I just have this wave of shame that i did something and i've blocked it out. Please help.

Hello, guest.

It sounds like you're experiencing a great deal of anxiety and distress related to your recent experience, and this is being compounded by your history of OCD and intrusive thoughts.

Alcohol can impair memory, leading to gaps in recall, especially during episodes of heavy drinking. This doesn't necessarily mean that you engaged in behavior that you would regret; memory gaps can be a normal part of alcohol intoxication. Your friend, who was with you during the party, reassured you that you didn't do anything regrettable. It's important to trust this external perspective, especially when your own recollections are unclear.

OCD and intrusive thoughts can create distressing false memories or exaggerations of events. Understanding that these thoughts are a symptom of your condition can help you differentiate between what is a product of anxiety and what is reality.

The feelings of shame and anxiety you're experiencing are likely amplified by the hangover and the nature of OCD. Remember that these feelings are not necessarily reflective of your actions.

While you're concerned about discussing this with your husband, consider that open communication is often key in a relationship. You could explain your feelings of anxiety and how your OCD is contributing to these fears, rather than focusing on the specifics of the event.

Take some time for self-care and reflection. Assess your relationship with alcohol, especially if drinking exacerbates your anxiety or OCD symptoms. It might be helpful to consider setting limits or abstaining from alcohol in situations where you feel it could lead to increased anxiety.

Remember, dealing with OCD and anxiety is a process, and it's okay to seek help and support. Professional guidance can be particularly beneficial in sorting through these complex emotions and thoughts.

Good luck.