coming to terms with GAD

[Guest]

I've had anxiety issues all my life, but it wasn't until the last 2 years that I was diagnosed and started medication. This last week I quit coffee because I was having too much trouble at work. Since I quit coffee, I've had less anxiety at work, but I'm furious. I can't get over the fact that I have to quit something I love for this disorder. I'm ruminating on all the other things I've lost out on because of this disorder, and am wondering what my life would look like without it. I can't accept that this is going to be a permanent part of my life. Does anyone have words of wisdom about how they came to terms with this disorder?

 

[Guest]

Does anyone have words of wisdom about how they came to terms with this disorder?

That's a big request. I do not know anyone with this disorder that would wish it on their worst enemy. So words of wisdom that shed a positive light on the disorder tend to be few.


I will say this. As a general rule, folks with anxiety disorder tend to be sensitive, giving people. They are often artists and usually very bright. We folks tend to be sensitive to the needs of others and also have an innate ability to size other people/situations up quickly and accurately. People with anxiety disorder tend to be passionate folks who want to believe the best in people and as a result are sometimes let down. We are perfectionists that ask more of ourselves than we do of others.


So being hyper-sensitive to our surroundings is not all bad. We can be pretty sure that we will be the first folks to know bad weather is coming and that you cannot necessarily trust the stranger in the room. We tend to be first responders, folks who keep their head when everyone else is panicking. The problem is that we are panicking when there is no reason to.


Honor your strengths and weaknesses because your perceived weakness may save your life someday (it may have already and you do not even know it).

 

[janemariesayed]

when I first was given tablets for my depression from the doctor I took them for a while and then read the little pamphlet inside. I was horrified as it said that I shouldn't drink grapefruit juice. I absolutely adore grapefruit in all it's forms. The thought of not knowing if I was ever going to be able to consume grapefruit again vexed me. The pills gave me the shakes, I was forever moving my legs up and down and had shaky hands. I was grinding my teeth as well which was giving me headaches. I stopped taking the pills because I figured that grapefruit juice made me feel better (happier to drink) than the pills did.

 

[Angalla Wicks]

I've had anxiety issues all my life, but it wasn't until the last 2 years that I was diagnosed and started medication. This last week I quit coffee because I was having too much trouble at work. Since I quit coffee, I've had less anxiety at work, but I'm furious. I can't get over the fact that I have to quit something I love for this disorder. I'm ruminating on all the other things I've lost out on because of this disorder, and am wondering what my life would look like without it. I can't accept that this is going to be a permanent part of my life. Does anyone have words of wisdom about how they came to terms with this disorder?

I hear you loud and clear bout quitting coffee. I have a cup maybe twice a week, I stopped smoking and I don't drink wine anymore. I was diagnosed in 2000 and most of my medications just put me in a major fog, so I am doing research on GAD and I am learning so much, I just chose to have a cup of coffee once in awhile and I have sugar once in awhile. I refuse to cut off all the things I like. but I also know there can be a price to pay.

 

[Angalla Wicks]

I was diagnosed with GAD in 2000 and I am finally taking this seriously. I am 55 years old and I take supplements. and I write in my journal everyday maybe twice a day. I was wondering is there anything that can help with clearing ones mind to help sleep at night. I miss those days of hit the pillow and don't wake up until morning.

 

[Concernedgal]

You can write in your journal just before bed but, beforethat.. take a hot bath to relax your muscles and then jump right into bed right after . Close your eyes and count down from a thousand." My doctor recommended the counting down thing".

 

[misszerable]

I was diagnosed with GAD in 2000 and I am finally taking this seriously. I am 55 years old and I take supplements. and I write in my journal everyday maybe twice a day. I was wondering is there anything that can help with clearing ones mind to help sleep at night. I miss those days of hit the pillow and don't wake up until morning.

It's great that you have finally decided to do something about your condition. At 55, there is still so much life ahead of you. I've gone through bouts with anxiety and have had consecutive sleepless nights which made the situation worse. On nights that I can sleep, they weren't as deep or as relaxing as they should be. I didn't want to take sleeping pills because I don't want to be dependent on them.

I resolved to address the situation and come across some techniques and strategies that have been used successfully by other people to overcome sleeping difficulties. One is to turn off the TV one hour before bed time. This will help clear emotions or thoughts that the TV shows you have watched may have engendered. I won't suggest turning off your cellphone or tablet. but it can help you relax if you stop using them an hour before going to bed.

While lying in bed, you can try the deep breathing technique. The simplest for me is the belly breathing where you put one hand on the belly and the other hand on the chest. You will then inhale deeply through your nose and gradually exhale though pursed lips. As you do so, focus on your breathing. This will keep other thoughts away. This is so relaxing and you'll find yourself falling into restful asleep in no time. You can also do it anytime you feel stressed or anxious.