Generalised Anxiety Disorder

[firemansam]

Very much welcoming this new topic heading - I've always thought I couldn't post here because I wasn't depressed! Absolutely freaking out and struggling beyond belief, but coz of anxiety and panic rather than depression.

I was wondering if anyone had any experience of GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder)? I have been diagnosed with this. I have had trouble with anxiety/panic for about 7 years now, but found a wonderful therapist who really sorted me out. Then I came off my anti depressants very slowly and properly, and have crashed right down again. I can barely get up in the mornings. I'm not depressed, I love my life, but the anxiety/panic is killing me.

Has anyone out there had this and recovered? Or had a big crash during recovery and got over it? I know that people on this thread aren't likely to be the happy recovered ones (I didn't look at this section of mumsnet for 7 months when I was well!) but positive stories would be really welcome!

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I can't stand being at work or being at home when I feel like this. Don't know what to do with myself - nowhere feels safe! Mine is definitely worse since I had a child - I had anxiety before, but now it's really ramped up. My therapist and psych say I should be on ADs for the foreseeable future until we've worked through breaking down my patterns/thoughts etc.

I seemed to be best on meds and therapy - I felt absolutely great. Just hope to god I can get back there again...

I'm not under any pressure to come off meds. Well, not from anyone but myself. I came off them to get pregnant, but then went much too mental to have a child as a result! So I've just recently gone back on them, and I think my only chance of having another child is to get pregnant on them. Which I'm gutted about but which, funnily, I think might be the more responsible decision. Providing they work again... (still waiting...)! Am trying v hard to be positive and optimistic, but very very disappointed in myself not to have nailed it and made therapy work.

firemansam - I understand the feeling of not knowing what to do with yourself, sometimes I'm literally stuck to the sofa (literally?!) and sometimes I feel like I want to just run and never stop. I can put a lid on it occasionally by going and getting in bed with ds, it can calm me down just listening to him sleeping.
Mellowma - sounds like you need to go back to work full time!

I'd be interested to hear what your partners make of it - mine tries really hard, but just doesn't understand and it's very hard to keep the relationship on an even keel (which of course adds to the worry).

Just seen this post - really interested in it. I've suffered from bulimia / compulsive eating and reckon it's linked. My adrenaline levels surge around food and I act in a compulsive way - ironically because of a profound fear of gaining weight. Makes me want to eat a lot to get rid of nasty feelings.

Have tried short course of CBT (referred to eating disorders clinic by my GP after I had my first daughter) but was unlucky in that my therapist was a bloke who just didn't really understand me. He suggested I gave up work to try to find a better balance in my life which did help a lot mind you. More exercise and less time at a desk has helped - work brings out my anxieties. I know that being a full time mum is a luxury that not everyone can afford.

Just had my second babe and all the old problems have resurfaced - obviously need more therapy. Am absolutely fine until I am on my own - then I am a wreck. Scared of telling GP in case I get referred to social services via the cbt therapist so think I'll find someone privately this time. Can anyone recommend someone good?

Longer term, am planning on lots of yoga, exercise and a healthy diet! But really worried my kids will absorb and replicate my problems. Any advice appreciated.

I think it's essential to find a therapist you gel with. I didn't for years, and now have someone who is great.

I often wonder whether i should give up work. we'd be skint and I'd feel really guilty, which would probably bring up a load more problems. Just wish I could find a job I actually WANTED to do....!

You won't be referred to any authorities - this is so common, they won't bat an eyelid! Just go and see the doc. And I worry about my son too - so much so that I think it would irresponsible for me to have another child, which makes me so sad.

Hi, I've just found this thread - I've suffered from anxiety in the past (linked to depression and PND) and, joy of joys, it's come back over the last couple of days. I think it may be linked to trying and failing to toilet train DS (feelings of being an inadequate mother, other people sneering at me etc). I'm seeing a therapist at the moment - I'll discuss with him on Monday but I'm not sure if he'll be able to help (he's never mentioned CBT before).

Sorry, I've not said anything constructive and really wish that I could! It's great that there's such a wonderful support thread here with sensible, insightful people!

hi,
i don't know whether i 'officially' count as having GAD. i havent gone to dr's about it, i haven't had a diagnosis, not sure if it would be helpful for me anyway, i don't want to take drugs for it. i think i read you have to suffer 6mths from anxiety before it counts. but i do have problems with anxiety, anyway!
my partner and i had another row today, he says since having my child i am moody about 50% of the time. he's really angry with me about it. i think he's probably being a drama queen, and its not as much, but it is linked to this ongoing anxiety i get.
i basically feel really pent up and angry quite a bit of the time, and i often wake up/can't sleep in the first place cos of racing mind and an extreme feeling of worry.i have become almost phobic about having driving lessons and can never sleep the night before. the anxiety i feel is as if im about to take a test. some days i get this for what can be no concievable reason. my partner wants me to have a reason and demands to know whats stressing me out, and it makes me feel more anxious that he's expecting answers from me. i feel really panicked then!
i find things that help are: not going to bed too early, waiting til im really really tired. controlling my drinking alcohol: its worse when ive been overdoing it. not drinking coffee, and not drinking tea after midday. exercise: going for a run or a cycle ride really helps, its about actually using up that adrenalin for a purpose. also you can flush it through by drinking lots of water, that helps too.
any other non-med tips greatly appreciated. also how you explain it to your partner. mine always gets worse when any change is happening, its like an overreaction to it, my mind starts racing, day and night.

Could anyone describe their anxiety symptoms, because I was told once by one doc that I have anxiety dis, but I don't think so. My symptoms include sudden with no reason tiredness, nausea, my body will start shaking uncontrolably and I might feel fainted. After that I will feel extrimly tied for few months or weeks. Also I wouldn't have any overwelming thoughts.

Hi firemansam. I had GAD about 9 years ago. I got over the worst of it through CBT and betablockers, although had to stop them as I got Raynauds.
At the worst of it I was not sleeping and when I did start to drift off I would pull myself out it panicking convinced I was going to die. I was even terrified of swallowing my own saliva (strange I know) incase I choked and used to spit it out into a tissue. I felt dizzy and sick all the time like I was going to keel over. I was terrified of travelling by any form of transport - anything faster than walking really. The list goes on..
I've had the odd anxious period since, and have taken ADs for it, but nothing as bad as it was - that horrible, constant, underlying anxiety. I'm still a bit of an antsy person who never stops but I just channel it into something productive. I would get a fully-fledged panic attack every now and again but I have a wonderful partner who can usually talk me out of it eventually and I just remember to breathe and realise I've been through it before and nothing bad will happen.
I just wanted to wish you luck and know that you're not alone and there is a way to get through it. All the best xx

Beachbunni and everyone - what you describe sound excactly like the symptoms I am experiencing at the moment. Shaking, racing heart, panic and TOTALLY unable to stop it once it's going. I've been experiencing this for about a week now and last night was the worst by a long way. I've had about three hours broken sleep and took diazopam and propraninol (given to me by the dr for this) - neither of them did anything. Though there doesn't seem to be anything in particular that's triggered it it's still going on and I have no idea how much longer I'll suffer this. Terrified and . I'd be so grateful if anyone has any words of wisdom or just some comfort and support.

Hi there a very good friend of mine is suffering with a relapse in anxiety which seems to be related to coping with change as her children will be changing primary schools. she's
Tried CBT via her GP but this didn't help. Does any one know of a good therapist or counsellor or psychologist near Wimbledon that they would recommend please? Many thanks. DB