Is anyone here experiencing, or formerly experienced, Generalized Anxiety Disorder?

If so, how would you describe it to those who don't understand, and how do you cope with it?


One year ago it was triggered in me due to a traumatic experience, and I suffered for months before finally going on Zoloft and seeing a shrink. I stopped both last winter because I thought I was better, and I can't afford either anymore.
I can think of three major re-occurrances I've had, some lasting a week, others a few. I've even had so many suicidal periods, I'm now completely desensitized and at peace with the thought of doing it, and this brings me to dangerous lows.

Looking back, I will always wonder why I had to experience it. I gained nothing from it, but lost a lot of emotional, mental, and spiritual freedom. It also cost me a beloved relationship. At times, I even find myself losing or questioning my Christian faith I've held my whole life.


Does anyone deal with it in a non-medicinal way?

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[Edited 8/5/06 13:09pm]

I am sorry you have to experience this.. I have had issues with anxiety and depression for most of my life. I have taken meds in the past. I am currently dealing with it using exercise, therapy and lots of support from friends.
I hope you have some support- at least one person to talk to-someone who can help you through the rough times.
It is really tough to go through this sort of thing alone- I know first hand.
I hope you find ways of coping with this- it is hard and you deserve a lot of credit for reaching out and asking.
If you need someone to chat with- you can orgnote me

anxiety is only PART of my condition. not that it's a competition!

i wish you all the best with this annoying crap... take good care fo yourself; it's the only way you'll be able to cope, over time.

no drugs unless prescribed!

mrdespues said:

shanti0608 said:

i like you, too.

mrdespues said:

Why thank you sweetheart!

Xanax 0.25- cheap and effective.

CynthiasSocks said:

That puts me right to sleep...

you cant afford it-doesnt that sum up whats wrong with the world.

people 'sell'help.

i hope your okay

shanti0608 said:

Take it before bed.

CynthiasSocks said:

I just keep it in the medicine cabinet just incase.. I have no problems sleeping..
I need something to make me full of energy..

one small thing you can do (not a "cure" but it sure helps) is to cut down on your caffeine intake if you drink a lot of coffee or soda. get in the habit of drinking fruit juice, water, or if you gotta, decaf coffee or caffeine free soda. cut down on your sugar intake too, cuz that'll get you hyper and that's not good. the caffeine free drinks are kinda ick at first, but trust me, you get used to them. root beer and most citrus sodas are caffeine free, as is (i think) ginger ale.

i don't know about you, but for me, when i'm already wound up the last thing i need is caffeine and sugar. soothing stuff like herbal tea and fruit flavored sparkling water are always really helpful instead.

good luck.

The anxiety feeds itself and you become subconsciously addicted to the "rush." It's like the endorphins released from any type of addiction. Even though you know you are having this anxiety and panic... you get hooked on the rush.

My advice, substitute one rush for another. Find enjoyment from something new or get back to doing something you once loved. What it does is preoccupies your mind and thoughts with a new substitute.

In re-reading this, I think it must sound like I am prescribing skydiving or something. Really, all it means is getting back to discovering something about yourself. That you like or liked doing ___. That you have a genuine interest in ___. You find a sense of comfort in ___. It will put you back "in control" because what GAD is about is nothing more than feeling out of control. Who knows you better than you do yourself? Once you make that connection, I think you will find a diminishing anxiety because YOU will have found a way to better cope with it yourself.

Good luck and stay strong!

does St.Johns Wort work? I've heard people suggest it for things like depression and anxiety, never tried it though.

Tom said:

I have tried it but did not stick with it faithfully enough to know if it worked. 5HTP and SAMe are supposed to help ppl with depression and anxiety too.

Anx said:

I've read that, too. Unfortunately, I love coffee.

I have an anxiety disorder, too, and am on medication.

Anxiety attacks are awful. I usually try to work my way out of them by doing something, like cleaning my apartment or doing the laundry or even dancing to music. If an attack comes in the evening, I usually go to bed, swallow a sleeping pill and sleep it away.

Thankfully, I have a dear friend who also has anxiety disorder. It helps me a lot to talk to him about it.

The worst part of it is that suddenly you can't do all the things you used to take for granted. Like staying up late (I get tired early), going to bars (crowds in small, noisy rooms are hard to stand) or even passing time without thinking about it. Usually I would just think of something to do. Now, it's "what can I do today?"

Thankfully, my friends are very understanding of my condition, but they can't be with me all of the time. I am still too sick to work, so I've got a lot of free time which really only adds to the problem. Too much time to think about what has happened to me, why is it happening to me, will it ever go away? I hope and pray that each day I get a little closer to my old self and that for each attack, I can handle it better.

Now, sometimes I just get symptoms, like sweating or hurting in my stomach, rather than a full-fledged anxiety attack. I consider that progress. I consider myself in recovery, because the intervals between my anxiety attacks are getting longer.

I hope that you can find signs of progress in your situation.

Tom said:

it can be very dangerous and hallucinogenic at high doses and some people do take too much of it thinking it's not working.

i tried it for a few weeks. i noticed no positive effects and it makes things seem too "sharp", like gingko biloba... didn't like it!!



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[Edited 8/5/06 11:40am]

EcstaticFanatic said:

Where do you live? Do you need help finding free treatment or at least treatment that is on a sliding scale?

scififilmnerd said:

i swear, if you make the best of it, you can totally make decaf work as a replacement. or, you can try some of the light blends out there (i've heard there are traces of caffeine in decaf anyway).

though i SWEAR by yerba mate, which is a kind of tea from south america which has the same darkness and body as coffee, but the energy boost it gives is very healthy, you don't "crash" from it, and it's insanely healthy for you in general.

just some thoughts. i love coffee too, and i'm totally back on the wagon. it's good to have alternatives when you need a coffee "vacation", though.

EcstaticFanatic said:

Wow, that's rough! Sorry to hear that you're going through this. Is there any medical place you can go to that will be able to treat you/give you the needed meds at a reduced cost? We have such a place here where I live, and I would think that most cities would have one.

Anx said:

I've been drinking decaf and soy for years now. I prefer it. Now, when I drink coffee with caffine, it can feel it in my body and it is rather unpleasent.

Since I cut out dairy (except rare urges for milkshake/ice cream deserts) I don't get colds anymore.

Thank you all so much for your input...

I really appreciate it.

I guess I've come this far, it's been about a year now since I first experienced it, and it's been proven to me over and over that the things I fear and worry over never come to fruition.

Thank you all for offering your advice. The thing with the medicine is, not only is it too costly for me, but I hate to think that I can't be who I am without being medicated.

I think one problem is I don't agressively pursue my desires. I start writing, and stop. I sabotage my dreams before pursuing them. All the idle time I spend wishing I could grasp my dreams and live my desires is where the fear breeds. I need to write. Draw. Create. Half of my muse lies there. The other half is in, well... dancing/entertainment...


...I've wanted to hire out at this club I go to that does drag shows some nights. Having to hide my feelings and smother my femininity from my family and some of my friends is understandable, and I don't expect anyone to accept the way I am knowing it's a perversion against society and gender,

but why should I just remain an attendee in these clubs when there are people who are entertained by, and admire my passion? Why not be one of the people in the lights, in front of the crowd, and make it half of my profression?

These are two of the biggest things I want to do, and let fear and anxiety keep me from.

Sometimes we can all probably handle the bad a lot more if we have the good already working for us.

A nurse once told me: "No one has ever died from an anxiety attack"

I always keep that in mind.

scififilmnerd said:

I so hope it will continue getting better and better ! That the intervalls are getting longer
must be a good sign me thinks

Serious said:

I hope so, too. Thank you, Serious.

Writing is good to me.