Anxiety is just so scary!

[Mags2015]

Hi everyone, I'm new to the group. I was told about 4 moths ago that I have Generalised Anxiety Disorder and I feel like that it's completely taken over my everyday life. Does it ever get any easier? X

[Bostonj]

It will get better! I am dealin w intrusive thoughts at the moment and I swear it's the scariest thing I have ever experienced I am. 30 ur old professional with a family and it is debilitating. I keep telling myself it will be ok and it has been over the last few days w help from meds but we have to just keep on working and believing in ourselves as we are stronger than this

[amh6971 in reply to Bostonj]

Must be something to do with turning 30 Bostonj because I am the same :-). I have suffered from anxiety in the past but never from intrusive thoughts until this time. I was ready for the doctors to section me when they started....haha.

[Lils30]

Anxiety does get better yes. My doctor once told me it can take about 18 months to get over a bout of anxiety. There is normally a reason behind why you are feeling anxious and it can be over small things that are big to you. For me over the years it comes and goes and when it come it is dibilitating and stops you from doing every day things. Ex reuse is good like walking swimming anything to get the endorphins going. Meditation, yoga, Pilates are also good. I hope it goes soon for you

[Sandraann21 in reply to Lils30]

Lils what a really good message you Have just sent, it is exactly right exspeacilly for me that's what happens with me when something happens in my life it's always massive to me and I find it so very difficult to control I've been REALLY bad since January after having a brake down in December due to getting bullied by a neighbour and her family for five years, so now I'm trying to build myself back up, I've never felt pain feelings and thoughts I've been through ( still battling ) no doctor/ psychiatrist could ever even imagine what we go through if they have never experienced it themselves so how can they tell us ??? I just thank god for this site and all the caring, supporting, and suffering friends on here, thank you lils you make great sense please keep Intouch with me, your just what I need on my worst days xx

[Lils30 in reply to Sandraann21]

Being bullied by a neighbour must be horrible. I hope they have now either moved away or left you alone completely! People don't need to behave like that. I have a theory that generally most people are nice and kind but there are a few who really are t very nice. People who bully often have big issues themselves.

Counsling can help cbt is probably better first it's helps you learn how to cope and gives you strategies, there are free on line courses if you google it. I'm training to be a counsellor and I agree it's hard for gps to understand, they are there to listen but to diagnose you as well. Counsellors often are ppl who have Been through something big or small as part of training you do have to have counselling your self! So you know what it's like obviously. But we are taught about empathy and sympathy and asking the right questions but mainly just to listen! But it is expensive, reason why I choose to work for the NHS.

ThAnks for the lovely comment too 😀

[Sandraann21 in reply to Lils30]

Hi lils yes Ian having counselling I've just changed to another lady (as mines gone off to have a baby ) but the one who's taken over is brilliant, she talking me through how bullies work etc you see this lady moved in 5 years ago ( I live in an apartment ) she moved in under me she's a 70 year old women ( but as you know 70 is not old theses days she looks and acts 50 ) with a family known to the police she and her two daughters waited for me to come on one dat in December last year and the three beat me up in the entrance, ( and they had a witness to say they hadn't done it ) I few days later I had a break down was taken to hospital, came out in jaunary and lived at home at first but as time went on my parents asked me to stay with them,and I'm still here, with help from my councillor she's given me re strengths and help to go back, I have to go back to live there that's my home and apart from her living there everything is just what I need good neighbours, and local for everything, my parents are a stones through away, and I just really don't want to move, but then I must admit I'm really afraid to go back, but please god with the help of my counsellor I will get me back there, thanks so much lils please stay Intouch with me I could do with your support and would be so very grateful for it, mornings are the worst times for me, how I get through them I just don't know there horrendous x

[Lils30 in reply to Sandraann21]

Hi, of course if you ever want to talk send me a message, I think you can do that here, I won't mind. Or write on here and I'll reply!

I'm really pleased to hear that you have a really good counsellor and it's good that she's teaching you about how a bully's mind works, it does not excuse what they did to you, but to try and get understanding as to how their minds work is useful. I personally have no respect for people who think that violence is the answer! I do feel really bad for you that this has happened, in an ideal world this shouldn't happen to anyone, no matter what's happened and I'm not surprised you suffered from a break down from this ordeal. Tthey are very scary it literally feels like you going to die! But you won't it is just adrenaline and your body goes into flight or fight mode. Your counsellor may of talked to you about that . It's useful to know if you suffer from anymore panick/anxiety attacks/ break downs.

Moving on...Clearly this seventy year old lady is a nasty person and her two daughters have learnt from her that to inflict pain on people is ok and right?!. What you are going through doesn't just sound like its anxiety and depression, it also sounds like you might have post traumatic stress too? has your counsellor ever mentioned that? Or when you were in hospital for your break down? I think this is where the anxiety/depression could be stemming from very understandably your scared to go home or seeing this lady and daughters again. I might be wrong about the post traumatic stress but I think it's worth mentioning if it hasn't been thought of already. With post traumatic stress I find it amazing how an awful experience can come back to haunt you, weeks or years later. you are reacting to a very dramatic event, So makes sense to me.

I think your counsellor will help you come up with coping meganisms when you do go back to live in your apartment. My advice would be 1. don't ever bite back at these people if they taunt you - that will be hard because you may or may not feel angry with them but Don't even look at them or talk to them they are not worth your time/head space. 2.Act busy! If you have a mobile just pretend to be on it or call someone and just chat to them- sounds weird but letting them see that your busy and getting on with your life will show them you are moving on and you don't actually care about them. 3. Atry to meet someone eg your parents/ a friend right outside you apartment or you mentioned you do have other neighbours who as nice - maybe talk to them or one of them say your anxious about being back home. The more people you have looking out for you the better and more confident you will start to feel and if they see you have a crowd they won't/shouldn't come near you. 4. having a loud whistle /alarm (you can probably buy theses online) you can set off or press to cause attention to other people, if they do approach you . You used to be able to buy them years ago. This should all just be temporary.

You do need to get back home yes it's your apartment! You have ever right to be there.

Mornings can be hard I think this is fairly common. I used to hate mornings and I still don't really like them partly because I do feel better in the afternoons . I learnt to get up not long after waking up, shower get dressed, breakfast and go for a walk or concentrate on getting ready for work or go out And sit in a cafe. Distraction is good. batt away any negative thoughs thAt came into mind. If you don't do this already it's does help. If you stay in bed that's when the negative thoughts creep in...don't let them! 😀

[Sandraann21 in reply to Lils30]

Hi lils, thank you so so VERY MUCH for replying once again everything you have said is spot on and exactly what my councillor said on Wednesday, and yes my old councillor felt like you that I have P.D.S.D ( you really are good and a brilliant councillor, I most certainly would pay to see you ) you really do know your stuff !!! And I'm so Very grateful for the time and excellent advise you give me. I'm just wondering how I can Keep your messages as I'd read them everyday, you really need to know just how much your advise and support keeps people going exspeacilly me, just knowning your there, you understand, and know exact what to say, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH I truly mean it, I'm so lucky and grateful to have you as my friend. (Are you in the UK )

[Sandraann21 in reply to Sandraann21]

I've just read your first message you sent yourself so I've learnt about you uv left you a reply but message you tomorrow about it, thanks for being my friend x

[Charm2012]

Hi mags2015

I've been suffering with gad and it can be alot to deal with. I can go on for days of my experience but im am here to encourage others and learn as well . it make you feel abnormal like you dont fit in with the rest of the world but your not alone ive had it for 17 yrs and it will get better..

[Shletha87 in reply to Charm2012]

Did you take meds?

[tdawgg123]

it will get better. The best advice I can give at the moment is to stop thinking and worrying about it so much ( even if you are trying to fix it )because you are feeding into it everytime you even think about it. Take it day by day. I find now I have good days as well as bad days but I always make it through okay. You will too.

[shellyhelpme]

Yes! I suffered for years until the Dr and I found the right combination of drugs. I a 100% free of anxiety after being in hell for 20 years.

Be completely open with your Dr about ALL your thoughts, even if your THINKING about suicide. Not that you would do it, but when your thinking about it... be honest with him/her... it will speed up the process. They won't lock you up for thinking about it only for threatening it, then you want them to! Trust me there! Let them if it ever gets that bad. It's only temporary!

I've lived 56 years and anxiety has so far been the worst thing I've ever had to deal with. But I'm here to tell you it can be treated but it takes determination and many try to get the drug that works for you. What seems to work for one person doesn't work for another . Also, sometimes a lower dose of a medication is better than a higher dose!

What worked for me was a combination.

In order of importance

Paxil 10mg anxity

Topiramate 200mg 2x daily panic

Adivan as needed, rarely needed

Seriquil, sleep aid for me anyway...

Age related hot flashes ect.

Estradiol 1.5mg

Provera 5mg

I'm not excited about taking synthetic hormones but I don't have a Dr to prescribe bio-identical right now.

[Mags2015]

Thank you everyone for all of your replies. I really do try not to think about it but I can just feel myself getting worse. As soon as I stand up I feel like my head is going to explode and I can't stop shaking. I feel sick and dizzy all the time. I feel like I'm going mad and there is nothing I can do about it.

I'm starting counselling this week and I'm really hoping that will help me as I really just want to be myself again xx