RRC,

I struggles with this severely. But, I was getting stuck 'looping' on mundane things. The spelling of a work, a license plate number on a car that drove by, a stanza of a song, etc.

I was put on max dose Paxil/paroxetine. It stopped this looping except when I has hit by a trigger (repetitive song on the radio)

Lower doses of the paroxetine brought the looping back but not so extreme. i could find distractions to over-ride the looping.

My psychiatrist wanted me to wean off the SSRI and start taking L-Tryptophan to increase serotonin. I did this over a few months. The looping was much better with the L-Tryptophan but not fully resolved. I added 100 mgs of 5-HTP and 200 mgs of L-Theanine and I am doing great.

If the looping starts, I can distract my thoughts successfully.

I suggest trying L-Tryptophan, maybe 500 mgs 2 times a day. If you do not get enough relief, substitute the 5-HTP for one dose of L-Tryp. And, you can add L-Theanine.

They work to increase neurotransmitter production.

L-Tryp become 5-HTP which becomes serotonin. You can not overdose on L-Tryp but you can on 5-HTP. Excessive sweating is a sign of overdosing on 5-HTP.

You can increase your 5-HTP dose and see if there is a best dose.

I would loop so badly that I would crash from the mental exhaustion. Imagine playing the same though for a day or even two.

It will help to learn ways to define the issues around these anxious thoughts. Good neurotransmitter levels will make this thought effort easier.

My best to you.