Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Breaking Away · 03-30-2009, 10:29 AM

I was wondering if anyone with Anxiety could explain to me their experience with it?

How did it start?
what sort of things do you feel anxious about?
what are your symptoms when you are having an anxiety attack- what are the symptoms when you aren't, if any?
what others can do to help you?
how long does the anxiety last?
are you on medication and do you feel it helps?

i'm just looking for information and trying to gain a better understanding.

indierockgrl · 03-30-2009, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Breaking Away

I was wondering if anyone with Anxiety could explain to me their experience with it?

How did it start?
what sort of things do you feel anxious about?
what are your symptoms when you are having an anxiety attack- what are the symptoms when you aren't, if any?
what others can do to help you?
how long does the anxiety last?
are you on medication and do you feel it helps?

i'm just looking for information and trying to gain a better understanding.

I have been diagnosed with GAD for almost 10 years. It all started for me because i started to worry... all the time... alot... over everything possible... especially over things i have no control over. stupid stuff really and it seemed like my brain would never shut off. i was up all night, worrying. it made me insane. the attacks have become almost non exsistant now thank god. when i would get them, they would come out of nowhere, i would get light headed, feel like i was going to faint, i would hypervenilate, and i would start bawling my head off. the people around me, would understand, and tell me to breathe and just focus on one particular thing, breathing, until it would subside. i have been on Lexapro and it had made my anxiety almost completely gone. I have no worry.... i literally can handle everything that comes my way... and i sleep so much better too....

IphigeniaSaysHi · 03-30-2009, 10:42 AM

How did it start?
I have pretty much been anxious since I was little. My parents are very high-strung, I am very sensitive so I picked up on their anxieties like a puppy.

what sort of things do you feel anxious about?
The future, being seen, meeting people, going out, being bored, failing, being yelled at. Mostly rejection and vulnerability.

what are your symptoms when you are having an anxiety attack- what are the symptoms when you aren't, if any?
My heart starts pounding, I can't breathe. I have to be alone, my face turns red, I start yelling or crying.

Almost every minute of every day I rub my fingers together and click my teeth. It's SO ANNOYING.

what others can do to help you?
Nothing, realy.

how long does the anxiety last?
It's pretty constant.

are you on medication and do you feel it helps?
I have a minimum dose of Xanax and I don't use it much but it does chill me out.

Breaking Away · 03-30-2009, 10:49 AM

does the things you worry about feel real? like they are really going to happen and have happened?

IphigeniaSaysHi · 03-30-2009, 10:50 AM

My anxieties are over things that have happened and are happening.

ellandroader · 03-30-2009, 11:52 AM

How did it start?
Was always very shy and inhibited as a kid. Self concious too. Anxiety came to the fore for me after some major life changes.

what sort of things do you feel anxious about?
Rejection, vulnerability, crowds, Performance, the future, going out.

what are your symptoms when you are having an anxiety attack- what are the symptoms when you aren't, if any?
My heart starts pounding, I can't breathe. I have to be alone, my face turns red, sweating, stuttered speech, sore throat.

what others can do to help you?
Be supportive, non-judgemental and understanding.

how long does the anxiety last?
Never goes away...you have to learn to cope with it.

are you on medication and do you feel it helps?
No...I am undergoing CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).

MountainGuy3 · 03-30-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

I was wondering if anyone with Anxiety could explain to me their experience with it?

Quote:

How did it start?

I was always pretty up-tight, and a bit of a perfectionist - so that probably predisposed me to having anxiety issues during high stress periods of my life. The real "event" that kicked it off was a breakup with somebody I had very strong feelings for, but who was in a different point in her life. I knew I couldn't be what she needed because of how I was livig my life, and my own obligations... So that sort of made me feel guilty and anxious.

Quote:

what sort of things do you feel anxious about?

I didn't start having problems until school got really tough, I was just a bit jumpy or generally "worried" about all sorts of little things... From how I looked in new shirts, to how I spoke to new people. It was defnitely noticable, I couldn't understand my new "awkwardness" and lack of confidence. Mostly it was school related - such as feeling constantly behind on projects, or feeling like I never did as well as I could have. However, every time I interacted with my ex... It did seem to peak shortly thereafter.

Quote:

what are your symptoms when you are having an anxiety attack- what are the symptoms when you aren't, if any?

Well... a lump in the throat, and a sense of panic or haste. Trouble breathing, or at least thinking that I was having trouble breathing. Hyper awareness of myself and how others saw me.
Just a bit "wired" when not having an actual attack. Kind of "fearful" of the next one.

Quote:

what others can do to help you?

Not too much. I have overcome it through meditation and rediscovering that anxiety is a normal feeling, and that it almost never leads to an attack. The best "advice" for me was when I was encuraged to just embrace it. When I got anxious, I acknowledged that I was anxious, and as my grandmother told me to try, I smiled at it. Sounds goofy... but it really worked. Be loving and kind to the person who is suffering. I wouldn't falsely tell them "it's all going to be fine," but reassure them that it truely doesn't last forever.

Quote:

how long does the anxiety last?

Depends on how long the underlying stressor is there. For me, it dwindled down once I got away from school and tried to discover how my reactions to that stress were affecting me. Once I pondered my own anxious tendancies, I was on the road to feeling normal again pretty quickly. I'd say I had serious anxiety for about 7 or 8 months, with a few months before when I didn't recognize it for what it was, and a few months after where I learned to deal with it. Now I'm pretty relaxed 24/7... Save for when I have big events that I'm looking forward to

I'd say tell the person to talk with a counselor, and schedule weekly sessions until they have the tools to analyze their own thought patterns and see how they can overcome the anxiety.

Quote:

are you on medication and do you feel it helps?

I was on fluoxetine for a while, as the anxiety seemed be interlaced with mild depression - and YES, it did help. I didn't look forward to or desire medication, but it definitely helps you stay a little more "stable." I wasn't "dulled down" at all, but found myself to be much more considerate of every point of view in most situations, and less likely to react in haste. It really is pretty wonderful, actually, and allows you to develop thought patterns and processes that will stay with you forever. One can't expect it to do the work for you, but it is a valuable tool. Plus, it isn't prescribed forever, and if you feel that you want to taper off, you can do so slowly. I am now off of it, and have no ill-effects... In fact, I'd say that I've learned to keep the more mellow perspective, and am quite thankful for that.

MountainGuy3 · 03-30-2009, 10:24 PM

And to Ellandroader, it will fade away eventually for you. You won't even notice it happening, at some point you'll just realize that it was a part of you in the past, and you'll be able to reflect on that without it becoming part of you in the present. I just realized eventually that "Huh... I don't feel that panic any longer, I can't even get myself to feel that way If I try... Heck, I can't even remember the last time that I did feel that way."

I bet you'll find out what works for you. CBT works quite well, and if it helps you, stick with it!

paranoiac543 · 03-31-2009, 04:51 AM

How did it start?
At first i would get really panicy when i was far away from home. i mostly just worried about being sick. so i was always worrying like ''is the person standing next to me sick? does he have a stomach virus? i hope i don't catch it''

what sort of things do you feel anxious about?
Getting sick, throwing up, my boyfriend suddenly disappearing

what are your symptoms when you are having an anxiety attack- what are the symptoms when you aren't, if any?
Nausea, suicidal thoughts

what others can do to help you?
Hugs are good. my friends also know how to knock some sense into me by telling me i'm fine over and over.

how long does the anxiety last?
Constant unless i'm watching a good TV show or something

are you on medication and do you feel it helps?
I'm on lexapro too and it has helped a ton. it's like the best thing that ever happened to me!

psychcentral.com is a good psychology site..it'll tell you aall about it

fiona77 · 04-01-2009, 05:34 PM

Mine started when I was around 17 when I was diagnosed with mono. I was having full blown panic attacks and unfortunately there was nothing that really triggered them they could happen at anytime or anyplace. I went on Paxil which helped a bunch. I was on it until around 21. After that I was off it but went on Prozac off and on throughout my 20's, but never had another full blown attack. My dad's side of the family has a long hx of mental illness, including suicides and hospitalizations. My doctors have all explained to me that it is definitely a chemical imbalance and is like a diabetic needing insulin. I was fine up until 30 and then I kind of started to unravel. It was life stuff though that triggered it. I changed jobs 4 x in a year, my cat died and my mom was diagnosed with cancer. Needless to say the anxiety and anxious thoughts were building. I went back on Paxil and have been doing well. Your body/brain chemistry changes over time, so the meds you are on right now may not work for you in 10 years and the symptoms you have now may lessen or disappear completely. Only time will tell, but I thank God every day that I live in a day and age where there is medication available and there is actual acceptance and understanding of mental illnesses without the stigma once associated with them.

03-30-2009, 10:29 AM	#1
Breaking Away Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 193	Generalized Anxiety Disorder I was wondering if anyone with Anxiety could explain to me their experience with it? How did it start? what sort of things do you feel anxious about? what are your symptoms when you are having an anxiety attack- what are the symptoms when you aren't, if any? what others can do to help you? how long does the anxiety last? are you on medication and do you feel it helps? i'm just looking for information and trying to gain a better understanding.

03-30-2009, 11:52 AM	#6
ellandroader Offline Gold Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Yorkshireman trapped in Florida...Summer home, a Cylon Basestar Gender: Male Age: 27 Posts: 986	How did it start? Was always very shy and inhibited as a kid. Self concious too. Anxiety came to the fore for me after some major life changes. what sort of things do you feel anxious about? Rejection, vulnerability, crowds, Performance, the future, going out. what are your symptoms when you are having an anxiety attack- what are the symptoms when you aren't, if any? My heart starts pounding, I can't breathe. I have to be alone, my face turns red, sweating, stuttered speech, sore throat. what others can do to help you? Be supportive, non-judgemental and understanding. how long does the anxiety last? Never goes away...you have to learn to cope with it. are you on medication and do you feel it helps? No...I am undergoing CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). __________________ http://northern-grit.blogspot.com/ Feel free to visit... "Fight when others fold, pursue when others retreat, conquer when others quit and make right when all else is wrong" "How can you know where I am headed when you don't know where I have been?" "It is more shameful to deny fear, than it is to run from danger...."

03-31-2009, 04:51 AM	#9
paranoiac543 Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Gender: Female Age: 19 Posts: 338	How did it start? At first i would get really panicy when i was far away from home. i mostly just worried about being sick. so i was always worrying like ''is the person standing next to me sick? does he have a stomach virus? i hope i don't catch it'' what sort of things do you feel anxious about? Getting sick, throwing up, my boyfriend suddenly disappearing what are your symptoms when you are having an anxiety attack- what are the symptoms when you aren't, if any? Nausea, suicidal thoughts what others can do to help you? Hugs are good. my friends also know how to knock some sense into me by telling me i'm fine over and over. how long does the anxiety last? Constant unless i'm watching a good TV show or something are you on medication and do you feel it helps? I'm on lexapro too and it has helped a ton. it's like the best thing that ever happened to me! psychcentral.com is a good psychology site..it'll tell you aall about it __________________ My friend texts me like ''what does idk mean?'' And I was like ''i don't know'' And she was like ''omg no one knows!''

03-30-2009, 10:42 AM	#3
IphigeniaSaysHi Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Michigan Gender: Female Age: 23 Posts: 3,310	How did it start? I have pretty much been anxious since I was little. My parents are very high-strung, I am very sensitive so I picked up on their anxieties like a puppy. what sort of things do you feel anxious about? The future, being seen, meeting people, going out, being bored, failing, being yelled at. Mostly rejection and vulnerability. what are your symptoms when you are having an anxiety attack- what are the symptoms when you aren't, if any? My heart starts pounding, I can't breathe. I have to be alone, my face turns red, I start yelling or crying. Almost every minute of every day I rub my fingers together and click my teeth. It's SO ANNOYING. what others can do to help you? Nothing, realy. how long does the anxiety last? It's pretty constant. are you on medication and do you feel it helps? I have a minimum dose of Xanax and I don't use it much but it does chill me out.

03-30-2009, 10:49 AM	#4
Breaking Away Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 193	does the things you worry about feel real? like they are really going to happen and have happened?

03-30-2009, 10:50 AM	#5
IphigeniaSaysHi Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Michigan Gender: Female Age: 23 Posts: 3,310	My anxieties are over things that have happened and are happening.

03-30-2009, 10:24 PM	#8
MountainGuy3 Offline Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 36	And to Ellandroader, it will fade away eventually for you. You won't even notice it happening, at some point you'll just realize that it was a part of you in the past, and you'll be able to reflect on that without it becoming part of you in the present. I just realized eventually that "Huh... I don't feel that panic any longer, I can't even get myself to feel that way If I try... Heck, I can't even remember the last time that I did feel that way." I bet you'll find out what works for you. CBT works quite well, and if it helps you, stick with it!

04-01-2009, 05:34 PM	#10
fiona77 Offline Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 73	Mine started when I was around 17 when I was diagnosed with mono. I was having full blown panic attacks and unfortunately there was nothing that really triggered them they could happen at anytime or anyplace. I went on Paxil which helped a bunch. I was on it until around 21. After that I was off it but went on Prozac off and on throughout my 20's, but never had another full blown attack. My dad's side of the family has a long hx of mental illness, including suicides and hospitalizations. My doctors have all explained to me that it is definitely a chemical imbalance and is like a diabetic needing insulin. I was fine up until 30 and then I kind of started to unravel. It was life stuff though that triggered it. I changed jobs 4 x in a year, my cat died and my mom was diagnosed with cancer. Needless to say the anxiety and anxious thoughts were building. I went back on Paxil and have been doing well. Your body/brain chemistry changes over time, so the meds you are on right now may not work for you in 10 years and the symptoms you have now may lessen or disappear completely. Only time will tell, but I thank God every day that I live in a day and age where there is medication available and there is actual acceptance and understanding of mental illnesses without the stigma once associated with them.