GAD General Anxiety Disorder

[DonkeyRose]

I have had this nearly all my life due to stresses and traumas throughout my childhood. At present I am just recovering from my 4th breakdown at the end of 2024. Still going through immense stresses and anxiety issues with lots more too follow up. My stress levels are rising constantly and I am now becoming very tearful again and short fused. Still taking 25mg pregabalin, 50mg sertraline, 250mg depakote for bipolar disorder plus little amounts of other medications for other issues. Any suggestions as to my mood swings please.

[DonkeyRose]

Waiting for more CBT in a long line. Was weaned off diazepam because it was highly addictive and they would not give it to me whilst in hospital. Been diagnosed this month of Feb for fibromyalgia. I have lovely doctors who actually have time to listen to me. They were very intrigued when I said I would like to be tested for fibromyalgia. Had a whole month of testing just to please us both that there wasn't anything underlying. My whole family genetics seem to be the route of it. Kind regards

[Animalover39]

hello hope your well o to have suffered with anxiety for 11 years since the loss of my mum I have health anxiety I was told I’m a bad googler to my physiotherapist knows about anxiety which is useful I also have cbt I was given videos to watch form my lovely physiotherapist this is a new trial for neck pain to and the things I’ve found out is like wow

I’m sorry to hear your suffering I guess it never leaves us with me it goes and comes back and my muscles tighten I’m hoping these videos will help me

[Scotland49]

Rose , I'm sorry to hear you suffer with GAD I also have GAD and currently going through this now for the third time. I never suffered with GAD until covid . . I've probably had it all my life but work masked it. My GAD I believe caused by my severe RA, Severe degenerative disc disease and severe facit joint arthritis. I also have Osteoporosis .My mental health nurse has referred me to their pscologist ( NHS )as like you, I've had many traumas throughout my life.

I'm also attending a Pain Management Course this Friday . I'm hoping by attending this course and meeting people who like me suffer with Chronic Pain, may help me with my mood !

I take 75 mg Sertraline and 15mg Mirtazapine at night , plus RA injections and blood pressure tablets.

It's hard Rose, I'm trying to be positive, but it's very much day by day . There are days, I'm sure like you, when you feel great, yesterday, like you I was very tearful.

❤️

[Twin4Life]

Hi,

I am sorry to hear about your struggles. I had GAD and have had it since I was a toddler. I also have SAD or Social Anxiety Disorder which just adds even more anxiety to my life... But, anyway, I totally understand what you're going through. When I am at my most anxious I become very short-fused and can suffer with mood swings. My identical twin sister also suffers with the same anxiety disorders and she can have some major mood swings. Honestly, I think two of the things that help me the most are going for a walk (or some other form of gentle exercise) and spending time with animals.

I find walking or doing gentle exercise (even just 10 or 15 minutes) can help clear my head. I can't do an enormous amount of exercise these days because of the fibro, but I find when I don't do any at all, it affects my mood.

The other thing that really helps me is spending time with animals. I realize this won't help everyone because some people do not like animals. But, I have always loved animals. I have two pet guinea pigs who I love very much. When I am feeling very anxious, I like to sit with them, talk to them, and pet them. I find it very soothing. If you like animals and you don't already have a pet, you might consider getting one.

[Kat791 in reply to Twin4Life]

Hi, I'm the twin here! Lol. Yes, I also suffer from GAD & SAD, like my sister said above. Sorry to hear you are feeling so stressed and anxious. I can be incredibly moody and short-fused at times. My best advice is to just be gentle with yourself. I also find that gentle exercise and spending time with animals helps me. Another thing I find helpful is just trying to distract myself with something I like, like silly videos on Youtube, cosy, relaxing videgames(like Stardew Valley), doing puzzles, or just mindless doodling. I am also autistic, so I find activities that activate my vestibular system to be helpful for calming me down(i.e. activities like swinging, dancing, whistling, riding a bike or scooter, singing, yoga, or just hanging upside down).

[DonkeyRose in reply to Twin4Life]

Hiya. Yes I have been advised by my lovely friend who has been in social care for most of her life now that it was the best things for her. Walking half an hour a day if possible and starting her own business running a daycare for dachshunds which I absolutely love to do when she needs me. I have had 3 months off work already and after a month of specific tests my doctor with my information diagnosed me with fibromyalgia. I am starting a new claim for PIP for myself as my symptoms like many other people are quite debilitating. I have done many PIP forms for my extensive family as I have been the strongest family member and almost the only person able to work. I am under so much stress at the moment and a lot still to follow this year I can barely think positive thoughts. Waiting in a long line line for CBT. Practically all my medications are causing RLS every day, and making me very tearful because I am getting very short fused with my strongest partner of 20 years since my husband passed. IBS is so bad I am getting very fearful of going out the house. My confusion with communication issues now has become so apparent I cannot think clearly or do simple tasks. I have only been registered with this site a few weeks and I sincerely hope we can all help and learn from each other's journeys. I do appreciate people's views and comments like yourself and thank you.

[Yassytina FMA UK Volunteer]

Hello, just read your post, anxiety is is one of the most horrid things I suffered with , it seems I came out of an early change and took ages too get diagnosed with Fibro/Cfs a few years back. I never knew at the time but the useless doc I had gave me Citalopram which was more for depression , he was on the brink of retiring and didn’t seem too care much, took no notice of what I was telling him , no tests and wrote a prescription, and showed me the door 😟I t took 7 years and a chance visit too out of hours one weekend that a lovely doctor tell me I was on the wrong meds , I started on Duloxtene and it completely changed things, I am prone still too some anxiety , a lot I think is too do with having Fibro /Cfs, and unfortunately one symptom. I read is depression and anxiety with these conditions. You have had a lot too deal with in your life (I am sorry too read this) my advice is sometimes give yourself some quiet space when you need it , talk too a good friend /family member, someone who is patient and has a good listening ear, they cannot always change things but too know someone has your back can make all the difference . I find listening too music and even mindful stuff on my iPad , sound of waterfalls, the sea, soft sounds and can shut your eyes and picture yourself there. When it warms up I want too go too the seaside , just sit quietly , listen and take some deep breaths I cannot wait till Spring, do you feel better when you can be outside more ? Also keep in touch with your doctor about your meds , sometimes it’s trail and error what we take too help us. Xxx