struggling with GAD

[Chloex]

Hi there,
Thank you for taking the time out of your day to read this.

Basically I have suffered from GAD since I was 15 (now 22). It has become increasingly worse over the past 8 months. I thought I could cope with it by myself and hoped for a long time that over time it would get better but obviously this isn't the case.
I begin thinking of the most stupid scenarios which turn into made up situations in my mind.. From these I then get angry and upset, wondering why i'm thinking things like that when in reality I have no need to. But the anxiety takes over and I end up having panic attacks, the worst one being the other night I began getting chest pains, dizziness and my apple watch notified me that it had detected a resting heart rate of 120bpm. But i'm having pretty much 2 panic attacks a day and getting mad with myself because I know I don't want to feel this way but I cant control it. I cry every day and today was probably one of the worst for it as I broke down at work, which is one thing I definitely didn't want to do!
I find it hard to talk to people about what's going on as I have always felt that I don't want to burden people and put my anxiety/depressive thoughts onto someone else. I often speak to my mum about how anxiety actually makes me feel but even with her I cannot yet open up about the root of the cause for all of this anxiety.
I have a doctors appointment tomorrow to see what they say, but even now the anxiety is creeping in because I hate going.. I get the sweaty palms, racing heart and dizziness feeling..
I'm at a loose end and I just need something that really will help..

 

[Concernedgal]

Anxiety is a hard hard thing to live with. I have suffered sense the age of 17. Now let me explain why you have these symptoms from anxiety. Adrenaline. ...adrenaline is what makes what happens happen. It all goes back to the caveman days when people were always on there guard but,now.....that reaction is not necessary in today's' modern world. Any stress can trigger this reaction or shall I say (over reaction). When going to the doctor...ask for the following test. 1)thyroid function test...an over active thyroid can cause anxiety symptoms. 2) hormones. ..hormones play a role in almost every function in your body...including your brain. 3) dopamine... a dopamine deficiency is very possible. 4) your heart..I can't tell you how many times an anxiety disorder was confused with a heart arrhythmia disorder. And if all the come up fine then I guess there's only one thing you can do now... except it. This will be the hardest thing that you will ever have to do in your life. When an attack occurs....look at it for what it is and take necessary steps to calm yourself down. First off... grind down like your using the bathroom. .this fores your blood pressure to lower..second of all (no more caffeine ) your only aggravating your anxiety by keeping your adrenaline levels high. Go to therapy and see if there's an underlying cause for your anxiety like a past experience or even a past life experience (not unheard-of ) and of course. ..come here and talk with us. We are always here for you and you are always welcome.
Concernedgal

 

[janemariesayed]

Do try your best to get to see your doctor and ask him to refer to you to see a therapist. You need counselling. You really need that someone to talk things through before this goes any further. Good luck and we are always here for you if you need to talk.

 

[Chloex]

Thank you for your advice and being someone to talk to. It really is hard to deal with.
But I already feel that tiny bit better for making the first step. My doctor has prescribed me medication to help with sleep, panic attacks/anxiety & depression.
He has given me forms to have blood tests to check everything else is functioning right and wants to see me again in a week to see how I’m getting on with the meds. I’m hopeful things will go up from here, I know there’s a long way to go but I’m determined!

 

[janemariesayed]

Thank you for your advice and being someone to talk to. It really is hard to deal with.
But I already feel that tiny bit better for making the first step. My doctor has prescribed me medication to help with sleep, panic attacks/anxiety & depression.
He has given me forms to have blood tests to check everything else is functioning right and wants to see me again in a week to see how I’m getting on with the meds. I’m hopeful things will go up from here, I know there’s a long way to go but I’m determined!

I'm really pleased that you got to see your doctor. How have you found the medication, has it helped you at all?

 

[Chloex]

I'm really pleased that you got to see your doctor. How have you found the medication, has it helped you at all?

It has been a few weeks now and the medication controls the symptoms, I no longer get the churning in my stomach or the racing heart rate and taking the meds at night to help me sleep are working a treat! I have only had 2 panic attacks since one of which was at the hospital when I had my blood tests done!
However when I went back to the doctors after the blood tests everything was normal apart from my vitamin D levels. He said my levels are way below normal so I’m on 20,000 unit vitamin d capsules 5 times a week for 5 weeks then after that I’ve got to be on 2,000 units daily for the forseeable.. so it’s been rather crazy, but I’m waiting on a call from Healthy minds to get in with a counsellor.