Generalised anxiety disorder (Full Version)

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canupleaseme -> Generalised anxiety disorder (1/19/2008 12:54:48 PM)

Hi I am trying to find out more about G.A.D.  Has anyone here had any experience with it ? Found good ways of dealing with it ?
Thank you [:)]



CalifChick -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (1/19/2008 1:19:53 PM)

I'm hoping that psychotherapy is already in the mix.  Cognitive behavioral therapy is usually indicated.  Medication is often used.

As far as self help goes, meditation, relaxation exercises, and physical exercise (particularly swimming as long as being in the water does not cause more anxiety) as well as group therapy are known to be very helpful.  Caffeine and other stimulants are generally known to make it worse.

The National Institutes of Mental Health has some info here.

Cali



canupleaseme -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (1/19/2008 4:00:53 PM)

Cali  hi thanks for your response.  I am currently on the NHS waiting list for psychotherapy.  Its triggered my ocd and self harm(which i havent had in almost 4 years) and whilst its always been an underlying issue its reared its head big time.  I amconstantly anxious, cant pinpoint why.  Am having days where I cant even drive through fear then days where im perfectly ok.  Its affecting me badly enough to be assigned a mental health nurse which has devestated me I feel really messed up. Tomorrow I could feel absolutely fine one minute then terrible the next its driving me mad!! Literally :(.
My main confusion is that I dont understand why it has started. the last 2 years have been on the whole perfect.  My U.M is doing really well and recovered from long term health issues. Ive moved into a lovely house in a lovely area and its so nice.  My relationship continues to get better and better. I have a full time job after being out of work for 4 years. On paper everythign is so perfect. Yet I am constantly anxious about losing what I have etc crashing my car, dying [&:] so many irrational things that I just cant get a hold of.  I have read loadsof books about it and am doing the meditation etc.  Ive had a good two weeksof bein upbeat and like I am getting somewhere and then the last few days Ive been fine in the day then come 6pm and im a wreck [&:].  I guess I am just looking to see if anyone else has suffered from this and got passed it.

Thank you for the link I will read it now x



CalifChick -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (1/19/2008 6:06:19 PM)

Perhaps you will find some small comfort in knowing that there is probably no discernible reason why this is happening.  Don't make your state of mind worse by dwelling on it, trying to find a reason.  The brain does strange things sometimes that make no sense at all.  It's not your fault, it's nothing you've done.

Instead of fighting against the bad days, just do what you can to get through them.  Find what works for you, whether it's exercise or reading trashy romance novels, getting a pedicure or a massage.  Find a little mantra for yourself that you find calming and chant away.

Instead of feeling like you "messed up", acknowledge to yourself that having a mental health nurse is a good thing for you right now.  This is to keep you as healthy as possible.  Lean on her as much as you need to - if she gave you a 24 hour contact number, use it when necessary.  If your self-harm thoughts and behaviors start up, call her.  If you cannot reach her, call someone else, someone you can talk to.  Have a hotline number handy for those times.  Do not be afraid or ashamed to tell someone that you feel like hurting yourself.  Remember, this is your brain doing something strange, this is not the essence of who you are.

Don't think of this as a journey where you have 2 weeks of good and then you "backslide" with a day or two of bad.  This is not a road, there is no distance to reclaim.  This is more like a pool or a lake where you have two weeks of relaxing, floating and playing and then a day where the water is too rough and all you can do is keep your head above water.  Perhaps tomorrow the water will be calm again and you can pick up exactly where you left off at the end of the good day.

Hang in there. 

Cali



Devoura -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (1/19/2008 6:08:22 PM)

I hate to push the old "Eat right and exercise" routine because, while that is indeed helpful to many, it doesn't seem to work beyond a certain point. For myself, exercising daily keeps my anxiety at a more functional level. I've been to about 5 psychotherapists and psychiatrists and they've yet to help me much, as my anxiety is more likely the result of chemical imbalances than situational factors. Do you have any other mental health issues, i.e . Depression?

Medication-wise, SSRIs are generally helpful (at least in the short term) when it comes to reducing the symptoms of GAD. The side effects, however, aren't nearly as helpful. I definitely suggest that you keep in close contact with your doctors and tell them how you are feeling, meds are wacky things. For some, the same medication will work for years, for others, it'll just konk out after a few weeks, and you'll have to try something new.

In my experience with GAD, a little supplement called 5-HTP has worked better than any medication or 'therapy' I'd recieved. I'm quite skeptical of most 'herbal cures' to medical disorders, but this has worked better than any of the meds I was shelling out money for. You can PM me if you think this would be helpful, and *hugs* good luck =)



kiara242 -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (1/29/2008 7:42:16 PM)

well ill go ahead and reply to this one usaly i sit back and just take things in, i do have g.a.d as well been fightting it for awhile as well the things that help me the most is talking about it, simple breathing helps as well their is a herbal thing you can get at wal-mart, and im sure other places call 5htp works wonders and for me kicks in about 20 min after takeing. its safe to take 600mg a day and works even better if you take st john's wort with it. when you are finding your self in the mist of a attack and relize it turn your thoughs to positve things, not done as ezaly as said i know. hope this helps some.



angelikaJ -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (1/29/2008 7:52:19 PM)

When things have been stressful sometimes GAD, depression etc are actually worse once things return to "normal"...I think in part because now you've let your gaurd down a bit.

You could perhaps look into deep breathing techniques.

be well
jenn

edit due to typos



Hatari -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (1/30/2008 12:04:00 PM)

Suffered for several years, if you would like to ring me I am quite happy to give you my number.

By the way be happy that a CPN has been assigned it means the service is taking you seriously.

Also St Johns Wort can be a great help



canupleaseme -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (1/30/2008 12:36:27 PM)

Hi thankyou all for your replies. I definatly find that I am most anxious when life is going well.  I think sometimes that is what upsets me the most.  So far Ive purchased some really good books about anxiety (which is good to read when I'm having insomnia)  which have helped me understand it a bit better and shown me some really good breathing techniques.  My partner is being so wonderful with everything and I am able to go to him and tell him how I am feeling and why even when its really stupid and makes no sense.  Im going to the gym still 3 times a week and watching my diet. Ive been taking the 5 htp for three days now.  Ive been taking two 50mg capsules twice a day. I have to say that on the whole ive had two really good days and ive slept like a baby which was amazing, today though it all went a bit wrong when I found myself doing my self harm for no apparent reason [:(] I realised i was doing it almost instantly and was able to tell my partner and he has been by my side all day and looked afetr me but I have to say I am now sat completely anxious feeling very annoyed with myself wondering if this will ever end and wishing my appoinment had come through with the mental health nurse.  I am seeing my dr weekly and I realise I have to be completely honest with him and tell him about my phobia as I realise that is affecting me daily.  Ive been trying to write down everything when I feel something bothering me and reading back through it its definatly a problem, I am hoping this will help me just admitting it to him and seeing if he can help in anyway.

Kiara I wasnt sure what dosage was ok with the 5htp I think I will up the dosage tomorrow a bit and see how I go. 
Hatari I thought about st johns wort but it would affect my birth control so I cant use it.  Thank you for your response though.



PrincessEllie -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (1/30/2008 7:21:46 PM)

Yeah, I can answer any questions you might have about GAD because for a long time we thought I had it. Turns out I have social anxiety, which is essentially the same thing but I worry in conjunction with social functions. Deep breathing is the best idea I can give you, also, excercise. If you have a healty body, anxiety will not affect you as badly.

I suggest seeing a Psycologist, not a Psychiatrist, about this soon. Psychiatrists have a tendency to throw meds around higglypiggly even when they're not needed. Therapy for me has been a big help. 



FangsNfeet -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (1/30/2008 7:42:56 PM)

Choose your poison Beer or Xanax.

Having a cold Stout and a little relaxation time three times during the work week takes care of my anxiety. Spending time in the gym exercising also helps. 



wandersalone -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (1/31/2008 4:02:21 AM)

A book that a number of people have found really helpful is called get out of your mind and into your life by Steven Hayes.  It is a self-paced workbook which can be used for a wide range of issues including depression, anxiety, chronic pain, anger and substance use. 



gorgeous1 -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (1/31/2008 1:32:15 PM)

((((HUGS)))))

I have GAD, was diagnosed 10 years ago. I take Effexor, and it has worked great. I haven't had a panic attack in two years. Sometimes I'll feel one coming on and I'll take a Xanax, but I rarely ever have to- I think I've taken maybe 15 Xanaxes in the last 15 months.

I used to not be able to go to movie theatres, concerts, amusement parks...sometimes I'd have a shopping cart full of groceries and would suddenly feel like i HAD to leave the store- I'd abandon the cart and bolt outa there. I couldn't drive on the freeway, was obsessed with tornadoes.

I am still a germaphobe and I am rather OCD about it and have what I know are irrational fears/rituals associated with it, but I don't feel out of control because I can stop myself when I'm starting to get too obsessed with cleaning, and I don't let it effect the rest of the family- for instance, my kid's bedrooms get messy, and I don't expect perfection, and when my husband does something nice for me and vacuums or washes the floor, I don't walk around bitching, "You missed a spot!"

...well...OK...I'll be honest- I think I may have instilled a little bit of germophobia in my kids- they like watching How Clean is Your House with me!



DesFIP -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (2/2/2008 1:30:18 PM)

I've got it. Some days better than others, some worse. It, like all other mood disorders, can be triggered by anything from stress, whether good or bad, to illness, to hormonal changes.

Cognitivbe Behavioral Therapy. Medication is efficacious. Prioritizing and making yourself a priority. So is cutting yourself a break. Perfectionism and this do not mix. Do what you can, when you can, and put other stuff off for the next day if necessary. Reduce stress as much as possible. Less caffeine, more sleep. Do not burn the candle at both ends because you will pay for it.



laurell3 -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (2/2/2008 2:28:10 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: canupleaseme

Hi thankyou all for your replies. I definatly find that I am most anxious when life is going well.  I think sometimes that is what upsets me the most.  So far Ive purchased some really good books about anxiety (which is good to read when I'm having insomnia)  which have helped me understand it a bit better and shown me some really good breathing techniques.  My partner is being so wonderful with everything and I am able to go to him and tell him how I am feeling and why even when its really stupid and makes no sense.  Im going to the gym still 3 times a week and watching my diet. Ive been taking the 5 htp for three days now.  Ive been taking two 50mg capsules twice a day. I have to say that on the whole ive had two really good days and ive slept like a baby which was amazing, today though it all went a bit wrong when I found myself doing my self harm for no apparent reason [:(] I realised i was doing it almost instantly and was able to tell my partner and he has been by my side all day and looked afetr me but I have to say I am now sat completely anxious feeling very annoyed with myself wondering if this will ever end and wishing my appoinment had come through with the mental health nurse.  I am seeing my dr weekly and I realise I have to be completely honest with him and tell him about my phobia as I realise that is affecting me daily.  Ive been trying to write down everything when I feel something bothering me and reading back through it its definatly a problem, I am hoping this will help me just admitting it to him and seeing if he can help in anyway.

Kiara I wasnt sure what dosage was ok with the 5htp I think I will up the dosage tomorrow a bit and see how I go. 
Hatari I thought about st johns wort but it would affect my birth control so I cant use it.  Thank you for your response though.



Ah yes what was once called "free floating anxiety" is now the overly diagnosed condition of GAD.  Allegedly I have it, however, all of my anxiety is directly attributable to learned behaviors from craptastic parents and not really all that free-floating or general.  It took me a long time to learn that.  Oddly one of the greatest things I was taught in therapy was to talk to myself.  Yeah I know, it's odd and sounds like trading in anxiety for schizophrenia which is why it took a long time for me to get onboard with it.  Journaling also is the same type of approach. 

For me personally I find that my anxiety centers around my desire to be all, do all, fix all and be perfect which was how I was raised and the wrath of not being such was great so it is rather ingrained.  I learned to literally tell myself to shut the fuck up and stop sounding like my parents and that I'm safe and I don't have to be that impossible thing anymore.  It works.  I'm far from cured, but my therapy has been prn only for years and when I feel intense anxiety I know how to identify why and work through it.  For this paticular problem, therapy and applying behavior techniques was way more helpful in the long run than the medical model for me.

That's quite a bit of personal information from me for these forums (lol) and I'm not suggesting that you are like me, merely saying you're not alone and you can overcome it and good luck!



deliciousmorsel -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (2/3/2008 11:33:37 PM)

I not only have GAD- I work for a researcher in it. SSRIs are pretty useless. They aren't actually anti depressents, they were developed as anxiolytics to replace the Valium that Dan Rather started a panic over. You get them for a lot of diagnoses because test marketing and the almighty dollar determine treatment in America. We have some of the lousiest psychiatry in the world.
Therepy is good, but serious GAD is actually a dysfunction of the left hippocampal structure in the brain (mostly) to oversymplify. It's a variety of slow seizure that also typifies severe depression.
Also, anxiety disorders all run together on a spectrum, instead of the separate diagnoses in the DSM book. That book is SO obsolete...

Nobody wants to hear it- but Valium is absolutely the best treatment. And an antidepressent that actually works does wonders. I use the MAOI Parnate, which every one is told is extremely dangerous. It's not under patent anymore is what it is- so dangerous to Big Pharma's wallets... This is the only thing that puts depression and anxiety into remission. It also makes social anxiety disorder go poof. I take it- it works.
Do not settle for Nardil, the other MAOI. It will make you fat and diabetic. Parnate is a rough ride on while it shakes up your brain and rewires it, but it's worth it. Even if you need to go off it someday you will be better, because you will have learned how to be well. Do not under estimate the cognitive therepuetic powers of the experience of well.
Some people can't handle well and fail, but most of us like it!

look at <www.psychotropical.com> The site owner is retired, bored, and one of the best neuropsychopharmacologists in the world today. You can write him.

By the way, Xanax is more addictive than crack. Get some Ativan instead- you won't turn into a life long X junkie. Xanax has anxiety backlash problems that demand ever more drug, which it why it's illegal in the UK and Europe. I personally think Valium is better, as the longer half life doesn't intoxicate you as much, but some doctors just freak over writing it. (So why do they give Xanax? Drug reps give them presents...)

I beleive in talk therapy, but you can't talk away anatomical variances that aren't going back to normal. And talk with proper medication works better. A patient too anxious to do the therapy is going no where, yet people are unmedicated or mismedicated a lot in the belief that talk cures all. Sure, in twenty years.

Feel free to write with questions. I know a lot of people and a lot of dirt that dictates current treatments that are in the stock holders best interests not ours. I'll be glad to give out sources of information. You don't have to suffer.



sillyfrillyboy -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (2/5/2008 1:14:54 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: canupleaseme

Yet I am constantly anxious about losing what I have etc crashing my car, dying [&:] so many irrational things that I just cant get a hold of.  I have read loadsof books about it and am doing the meditation etc.  Ive had a good two weeksof bein upbeat and like I am getting somewhere and then the last few days Ive been fine in the day then come 6pm and im a wreck [&:]. 


Thats the bugger bear right there Ma'am. If I read this right up until now you really have not had much to loose. Now things are good and as with many things in life you know that everything changes. Thank god. Imagine if everything was always the same. boring! :) Some people say they are not afraid of failure they are afraid of success. In my opinion thats horse pies. The reason most people are afraid of success is because it will all go away... hence failure...

I have been to that special floor in the hospital before where they put the interesting people. I actually begged them to put me there until I got my head straight because I was having horrable panic attacks. Doubling over and crying hystrically. That was around 8 years ago and I did not die from it either. Right now my life rocks!!! Most of all I ROCK!!! I think it takes some time but its about how you feel about yourself. No matter what happens I will be there for me and thats a good thing. If it gets to bad I can ask for help and there is NO SHAME in asking for help. NONE!!! Just wanted to emphasize. I did not go to the hospital because I wanted to die. (suicidal idiation) I went there because I wanted to LIVE!!!

And if we want to gain some peace from statistics about 50% of the population will have a mental break down at one point in there life.

respects;
john



sillyfrillyboy -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (2/5/2008 1:25:51 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: deliciousmorsel

I not only have GAD- I work for a researcher in it. SSRIs are pretty useless. They aren't actually anti depressents, they were developed as anxiolytics to replace the Valium that Dan Rather started a panic over. You get them for a lot of diagnoses because test marketing and the almighty dollar determine treatment in America. We have some of the lousiest psychiatry in the world.
Therepy is good, but serious GAD is actually a dysfunction of the left hippocampal structure in the brain (mostly) to oversymplify. It's a variety of slow seizure that also typifies severe depression.
Also, anxiety disorders all run together on a spectrum, instead of the separate diagnoses in the DSM book. That book is SO obsolete...

Nobody wants to hear it- but Valium is absolutely the best treatment. And an antidepressent that actually works does wonders. I use the MAOI Parnate, which every one is told is extremely dangerous. It's not under patent anymore is what it is- so dangerous to Big Pharma's wallets... This is the only thing that puts depression and anxiety into remission. It also makes social anxiety disorder go poof. I take it- it works.
Do not settle for Nardil, the other MAOI. It will make you fat and diabetic. Parnate is a rough ride on while it shakes up your brain and rewires it, but it's worth it. Even if you need to go off it someday you will be better, because you will have learned how to be well. Do not under estimate the cognitive therepuetic powers of the experience of well.
Some people can't handle well and fail, but most of us like it!

look at <www.psychotropical.com> The site owner is retired, bored, and one of the best neuropsychopharmacologists in the world today. You can write him.

By the way, Xanax is more addictive than crack. Get some Ativan instead- you won't turn into a life long X junkie. Xanax has anxiety backlash problems that demand ever more drug, which it why it's illegal in the UK and Europe. I personally think Valium is better, as the longer half life doesn't intoxicate you as much, but some doctors just freak over writing it. (So why do they give Xanax? Drug reps give them presents...)

I beleive in talk therapy, but you can't talk away anatomical variances that aren't going back to normal. And talk with proper medication works better. A patient too anxious to do the therapy is going no where, yet people are unmedicated or mismedicated a lot in the belief that talk cures all. Sure, in twenty years.

Feel free to write with questions. I know a lot of people and a lot of dirt that dictates current treatments that are in the stock holders best interests not ours. I'll be glad to give out sources of information. You don't have to suffer.


Personally I would stay away from anything in the Benzo family. They quickly build tolerance and become useless not to mention withdrawl can easily kill you. They leave that off the label... :) Personally SRI's keep me from going off the deep end but I dont take that much. I just wanted to through that in about benzo because they are very dnagerious if used for any length of time. A good clinician would not keep you on them very long at all. I also have worked in the industry with recovering drug addicts and can attest to what I say. I have witnessed it with my own eyes.



sillyfrillyboy -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (2/5/2008 1:43:35 AM)

One more thing Ma'am;
It is important to talk about your fears and anxieties and not tryo to push them down or dismiss them. Find people that you trust and have your best interest in mind and talk about them. Thats something I need to start doing myself to a large degree because I have not been following my own advice here and can feel that my anxiety has gone up considerably. My greatest anxiety is about being new to the lifestyle but I am activily seeking people out and asking lotsa questions. Trying to figure out who I can trust with my stuff and who I cannot. The first thing I did upon attending my first munch type event was seek out friends not play partners and I dont think I will do much playing until I know that I have someone with whom I can talk openly and honstly about my feelings surrounding this topic.

respects;
john



MissSCD -> RE: Generalised anxiety disorder (2/5/2008 6:53:05 AM)

I take xanex.  I take many other things because I am bipolar as well.  People mislable drugs all the time.
My advice is don't waste all that money on counseling.  Go straight to the pshyce who will get you well a lot faster and a correct diagnosis.
They are expensive.  Mine shrink costs $180.00 per hour; however, my life if much better as a result of his knowledge.
He doesn't take my crap either.
 
Regards, MissSCD



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