Does anyone else have GAD?

[sparklingchampagne]

Just wondering if anyone else have Generalised Anxiety Disorder?
My CBT sessions are going well (I think!) but I daren't talk to anyone else about it as I worry(!) they will think I'm mad!
Would be good to hear of others' experiences and what helps them to cope.

bump!

Hi I was told I had this a few years ago. I am on beta blockers which are supposed to help with anxiety symptoms. I Normally cope by trying to recognise when I am starting to feel anxious and nip it in the bud but I have relapses every now and then, some last a few days some seem longer. I have never tried cbt etc but glad yours is going well!

I think i have this. It all started last summer. i had had two babies very close together in 2009 so i think all the changes with that brought it on. IT is horrible. I have general anxiety most days and panic attacks. Im not on ADs but my doctor thinks i need them. I have a supply of xanex in the house but have only ever taken half of one. i like to have them there as a safety net

Have you told anyone about this? I really felt it helped me once i opened up to my friends and family about it. i was really nervous but it was like a weight had been lifted when i told them. My best friend lives on the other side of the world and she has just been amazing.

How many CBTs have you had? I have just started, i will have my 3rd session next week. im finding it good, havent really noticed a big difference in myself but i hear you need at least 6 sessions before you start to see it.

I also read a book by Dr. Claire Weekes, Slef help with your nerves. It is very good. xxx

I'm on my 7th CBT session.
For me it staretd with the birth of DD 5 and a half years ago, it was a traumatic birth (Emergency Caesarean) and the whole system was a nightmare.
It left me feeling like a complete failure.
I struggled for four years after DD was born, but things just got worse and worse, doctor put me on antiDs but I didn't take up counselling as I went once and the counsellor just seemed to want me to look at stuff on the internet which I didn't find useful.
Anyway, went back last Sept, and started my CBT in Nov.

There are certain things that make me so anxious even now, and I would feel so silly about telling my family/friends what they are.
Ascrewloose totally understand wht you're saying about looking confident on the outside - I've developed so many 'safety' procedures to cover this up!
Ballyxxx what do you do when you have panic attacks - I'm still in 'flight' mode and just have to 'get out' - problem is most happen at home which is making it difficult to me to be unstressed at home, and Fernoe how do you nip your anxiety in the bud? I know wheat triggers mine but it still carries on!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with me, it can feel quite lonely sometimes as I have never told any friends or family about it!

What have you been doing in CBT? I had my 3rd session on monday and i have to say im not finding it great..We just really talk about my life then she reads through a hand out with me at the end and im aloud take it home then. I just dont really get it! I could read the hand out myself and not have to fork out ?90 every week!! Maybe she just isnt the right one for me. I had a bit of a bad week last week. had a really bad panic attack in a shopping centre last thurs. i ran out of there leaving my dp with the kids..I had to take a xanex and calmed down eventually but i went back to gp on friday to get ADs. I cant go on like this anymore and i seem to be fighting a loosing battle trying to fight this without ADs. SO i got Lexapro. I still havent taken it though! I m terrified..Im really really scared of going on ADs. I swore i would stat it tonight and have taken a xanex to calm myslef down to take it but i just cant bring myself to. I keep thinking maybe there is something else i can do like hypnotherapy or something..I always get them on the train and for the first time since this started on monday i was able to calm myself down!! There have been many a time i have jmped of the train at random stops! I read through the claire weekes book again on sunday to prepare myslef for the train on monday and it really worked. I honestly cant recommend it enough. It takes time to work on though and that is what makes me panic. when i have a bad panic attack i want the 'quick fix' i just dont know what that is..Sorry im rambling now.

How are you feeling?? It really is such a debilitating horrible thing to go through :(