First time here..

[Louwho22]

Hi all, first time here. I googled anxiety support groups in my home town but came up about 1 hour short of a meeting to not feel so alone. I have GAD, But I'm sure on any given day I've diagnosed myself with everything from schizophrenia to a brain tumor. Not so much depressed, just so tired of feeling like every moment is a fight or flight moment. Its exhausting. I've lost friends, family and pretty much my whole existence to this and I'm tired of it. I just wanted to let you all know it is nice to see I'm not alone and l hope you all see that too. I am here if anyone needs a friend or someone to talk to, someone who completely understands this curse.

[jkl5500]

Are you under any treatment for your GAD?

[Louwho22 in reply to jkl5500]

Just xanax for panic attacks. Trying hard to try and beat this without meds. Currently failing

[jkl5500 in reply to Louwho22]

Have you considered some type of behavioral therapy to deal with chronic anxiety? It doesn't have to involve meds.

I think it's a bad idea to try and beat this all by yourself. It's too big.

[Louwho22 in reply to jkl5500]

I just signed up for yoga and also meditation. I just want to feel like I can function without worrying about everything. I'm not sure what behavioral therapy is? I just want to be me again. Thank you for helping

[jkl5500 in reply to Louwho22]

I'm sure if you look up behavioral therapy for anxiety online you'll come up with some answers. Don't be afraid of getting medical help for your illness. Many people on this website are as afraid of treatment as they are of their illness. That's a huge mistake.

[Louwho22 in reply to jkl5500]

Thank you so much!

[MelissaC13 in reply to Louwho22]

CBT = Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Well done with yoga and meditation!

[Hidden in reply to Louwho22]

I'm doing it without meds..

[MelissaC13 in reply to Louwho22]

Meditation helped me so much with panic attacks. (UCLA has a Mindfullness program with free guided meditations.) I did not realize that I hold my breath which causes our bodies to respond with the flight or fight response. When I start to fell a panic attack coming on I inhale (nose) to the count of 4, hold to the count of 4 and exhale (mouth) to the count of 4. (Repeat until OK.) I was waking up nightly from panic attacks. Within a minute, GONE! No joke. I am grateful for a wonderful, educated therapist that focuses on breath therapy. Opened up my world! My thinking is getting less extreme and I do not feel as if I am going to die every day. Also a book titled Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving has helped a great deal. (Skip to ch. 8 if you are really struggling.) Thank you for sharing and Be Well!!

[Louwho22 in reply to MelissaC13]

Thank you! I am going to try the breathing trick and the book!!😊

[ferris2424 in reply to Louwho22]

i learned the hard way xanax is a short term solutikn that can be a big problem long term. Good for you to look at heLthier options.

[jkl5500]

You are definitely not alone. I also have an anxiety disorder (not GAD), and have to constantly realize that the anxiety that accompanies so many situations is not real, but a symptom of an illness. If you take the anxiety as a "given" in a situation, and act as if it's supposed to be there, you are perpetuating the illness.

The key is to recognize the anxiety for what it is, and know that it is not the reality of the situation.

[Louwho22 in reply to jkl5500]

Thank you so much for replying. Although I don't wish this on my own worst enemy, it is nice to know I'm not alone. Or worse, completely crazy. It's hard to explain to anyone who doesn't have this. Thank you so much for understanding. This made me feel better.

[b1b1b1 in reply to jkl5500]

This is a very good way to put it that "the anxiety of the situation is not the reality." Have written it on a little card to remind myself.

[Louwho22 in reply to b1b1b1]

I love that idea! I'm going to try this, thank you!

[sam053j]

I completely understand what your going through. My anxiety started when I was in high school and I ended up missing an entire month of school because I thought I was dying. I made multiple visits to the doctor in attempt of figuring out what was wrong. Anxiety is exhausting. Just remember that there is help and many things you can do to help relieve it. I was put on sertraline for my anxiety and depression. It completely relieved my anxiety within just a few weeks. I couldn’t believe it! There are things you can do that don’t require meds as well. Exercise, and meditation are really good ways to help alleviate your symptoms. Just remember that your not alone. I had the habit of hiding and trying to pretend that I was fine when I was having a panic attack, which in turn made it worse because not only was I freaking out, but I was freaking out alone, and that can be so scary.

[Louwho22 in reply to sam053j]

I feel like you you just described my deepest, most intimate thoughts! That is me to a T! Thank you, and I truly hope we both can overcome this. I am here and could use a friend who gets why I cancel last minute because I'm terrified. Who understands how hard it is to socialize. To agonize over everything I've said the past 3 decades. Thank you! This made me feel better. I appreciate it.

[CC1021]

I just wanted to say thank you for being brave enough to reach out. I can relate to much of what you said and it's nice knowing I'm not alone. This place gives me hope.

[Louwho22 in reply to CC1021]

Me too. Thank you for replying. I mean it when I say I am here when you need it. We all could use someone who understands. You definitely are not alone!!!

[CC1021]

Likewise - drop me a line anytime. Thank you so much.

[Louwho22 in reply to CC1021]

[CC1021]

But first I did want to say that I was just sitting on the couch, crying and talking to my husband about how I feel and as we talked about lookong into an online community for support, I came here and saw your post. And signed up just so I could reply.

So thanks again. I could especially relate to what you said about losing friends and family over this. Wow. It's truly a battle, isn't it.

[Louwho22 in reply to CC1021]

It sure is. Every day. But I choose to be a warrior. Sounds like you do too. 8 Thank you and I hope you rest easier tonight knowing we are in this to win this.

[mayabee804]

Hi there. I too have GAD. I struggled with it on and off for a long time and used non-medication methods for most of it (hot yoga, art, sports)... eventually I got to a bad place and did decide to go on meds. It helped reset my life completely. For me it saved my life. Don’t be afraid to try it if you think you may need it. Therapy is also a great route.

[Louwho22]

Thank you so much! Just knowing I'm not alone in this gives me more hope than I've had in so long.. I truly appreciate this help. Thank you so much

[Elaine1963]

Yes, cognitive behavioral therapy.I will share after my appointment on Monday.

Hopefully this community, counseling, proper rest, good eating habits and natural herbs will give me the strength to cope and overcome 👍

[ChosenUsername]

Hello all. I gotta say, after reading all the previous posts I just realized something. This website basically acts as an informal cognitive behavioral therapy session by talking amognst each like we're all doing now. For those (like myself) who think twice about CBT, due to various reasons like time and money, etc; they could come on here and talk with a community who understands because we all relate in some fashion. I feel better looking through this perspective, because now I know another source that I can go to when I feel paralyized from my crushing anxiety.

Just wanted to share some thoughts in hopes it can help those in need who may need a quick go-to when anxiety/ depression starts to shut down.

[Louwho22 in reply to ChosenUsername]

I agree wholeheartedly! For me, the biggest fear is I am alone and just going crazy. Now I know I'm not and I slept better last night than in years just knowing that. This was a godsend for me. Maybe for us all. Hang in there peeps. We'll beat this. 😊

[Jwire]

Has anyone tried any natural supplements for anxiety that have helped? I’m on medication, recently switched and not sure this one is working trying to give it a couple more weeks to see. But I’m always up for trying natural ways also.

[Louwho22 in reply to Jwire]

B-12 is wonderful for calming your nerves when feeling panicky. You can buy it anywhere.

[pink83737]

Hope you are doing well, I know how you feel, you aren’t alone. Anxiety and depression suck but everyone goes through it