generalised anxiety disorder?

[griselda101]

Hi all, am a LP of DS, 2.5, and am wondering if I have GAD and if anyone can suggest useful therapies.

I have some MH issues I have been seeing a CBT therapist about, made some huge leaps forward in terms of coming through some of them, but as soon as they are over it seems I start worrying about something else.

Almost like my normal state of mind is just one of anxiety. As soon as one big worry is over I start on something else, almost obsessive in a way.

I do have a stressful life (LP, self employed, useless ex, income worries) so I am wondering if it is situational or just mental health related.

I am keen to avoid prescription drugs, but any therapies or suggestions for how to manage it would be useful.

[peachpearplum465]

Has your CBT tackled worrying as a whole and not just specifics? I spent too long focussing on individual worries rather than understanding why I was worrying in the first place. It doesn't help matters when you have a lot of stress going on it your life though.

I am also not a fan of prescription drugs, having taken sleeping pills and anti depressants before and come out of it a lot worse than I went in, but I've just started taking hydroxyzine (an antihistamine used to treat anxiety) which has no side effects I can notice. I take it before I go to bed and it's helped me get a good night's sleep and feel less stressed too

[griselda101]

thanks peach, we've tackled a specific item in CBT but the same theories could be applied to the general stuff as well, i guess i just need to put in the work of doing it with those worries. i will try harder.

think it's triggered in part by the stress and part by habit and part by nature.

being a LP is difficult because I feel so responsible all the time. this doesn't help with the stress levels.

i think i am going to keep off the meds for now and try a few other things.

it sounds weird but I try to keep on top of everything in order to ensure things go smoothly but this has a converse effect of keeping me busier and more stressed! but if i take a break chaos ensues, so it's a bit of a vicious circle. I am trying sooo hard to cut down on my responsibilities, and am doing well, but it seems like there's a limit and there will always be a lot of stuff that needs doing.

i'd just like to get to that mythical place where everything is done and i can relax a bit more...

[Wolfiefan]

Wishing I could join you in that mythical place! Let me know when you find it.
I got a prescription for helpful books from the library. One was very much about anxiety. Could be helpful if you want to avoid meds?
Good luck.

[griselda101]

good idea wolfie, I will take a look at the library! what was the particular book you were recommended?

i did read the Dale Carnegie book "How to stop worrying and start living" a long time ago which was brilliant, maybe I should re-read it!

I thought it would be cheesy but it's so well written and the stories are a bit dated but the style is so comforting and reassuring it's well worth a read.

[helenck]

The thing about CBT is that is requires you to control your thoughts - i.e., swap one type of thoughts for another type, get rid of, ignore, etc, etc. This works for a while - depending on the issue. However, without totally trawling over ancient history, psychotherapy may help bring to the surface what is sitting underneath your feelings and give you enough mental/emotional space to work them through. That's psychotherapy = not counselling, or psychoanalysis, or psychology, etc, as they all offer completely different things.

[notasheep11]

Hi Griselda.I really understand your anxiety issue.I get dreadful flight or fight mechanism gone awol.
The best thing that works for me is to do deep breathing exercises,speak out loud 'this shall pass' ! Also,doing physical stuff helps it pass.

Hope some of this helps :)