Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) is much more that the normal anxiety  people experience day to day.  It's chronic and exaggerated worry and tension, even though nothing seems to provoke it.  Having this disorder means always anticipating disaster, often worrying excessively about health, money, family, or work.  Sometimes, though, the source of the worry is hard to pinpoint.  Simply getting through the day provokes anxiety.

People with GAD can't seem to shake their concerns, even though they usually realize that their anxiety is more intense thah the situation warants.  People with GAD also seem unable to relax.  Yhey often have trouble falling or staying asleep.  Their worries are accompanied by physical symptoms, especially trembling, twitching, muscle tension, headaches, irritablilty, sweating, or hot flashes.  They may feel lightheaded or out of breath.  They may feel nauseated or have to go to the bathroom frequently.  Or they might feel as though they have a lump in the throat.

Usually the impairment associated with GAD is mild and people with the disorder don't feel too restricted in social settings or on the job.  Unlike many other anxiety disorders, People with GAD don't characteristically avoid certain situations as a result of their disorder.  However, if severe, GAD can be very debilitating, making it difficult to carry out even the most ordinary daily activities.

Successful treatment may include a medication called buspirone.  Research into the effectiveness of other medications, such as benzodiazepines and anti-depressants, is ongoing.  Also useful are cognitive-behavioral therapy, relaxation techniques, and biofeedback to control muscle tension.

For a while now, I've been dealing with what I'm pretty sure is Social Anxiety Disorder.  But, to some extent, I believe I may have GAD as well.  There are a lot of days where I will be awaiting disaster, and just generally feeling worried for no particular reason.  I'm not really sure if I can pinpoint a cause.  What usually causes GAD and SAD?  Is it past traumatic experiences, generalized problems in the present, or is it just something genetic, or an illness that comes out of nowhere?

In addition, whatever the case may be, could someone elaborate on the best way to deal with these conditions?  (Non-medication methods preferrably).

Dear Tame Wolf,

Depression is usually caused by a chemical disorder in the brain, and tends to be hereditary.  It usually accompanies anxiety disorders.

GAD comes on gradualy and most often hits people in childhood or adolesence, but can begin in adulthood, too.  It's more common in women than in men and often accurs in relatives of the affected persons.  It's diagnosed when someone spends at least 6 months worried excessively about a number of problems.

Having GAD means always anticipating disaster, often worring wxcessively about health, money, family, or work.  Worries are often accompanied by physical symptoms like muscle trembling, muscle tension, and nuasea.

In general, the symptoms of GAD seem to diminish with age.  Other than using meds, useful are cognitive-behavorial therapy, relaxation techniques, and biofeedback to control muscle tension.

I hope this gives you some better understanding of this condition.  Therapy to understand your responses and change automatic thoughts is very successful for some.  Some like to use relaxation tapes, yoga, exercise, guided imagery, self help books -anything that helps you relax.  I know people who have used biofeedback for anxiety and migraine headaches with great success.

                                                                  Jkm

I remember that a while back I was prescribed Klonopin, and it tremendously helped my constant anxiety. I somehow became much calmer and more relaxed, including social situations. The difference was really remarkable and others noticed it, including people who never knew me before. Interaction with people, including women, became much more natural.

I quickly ended my Klonopin treatment, fearing it was addictive, although my doc assured me I was OK at very low doses. But the mental anxiety somehow crept back in. I'm hesitant about going back to Klonopin because I realize its drawbacks, but I do want to experience its positive effects. Is there anything I can do to keep myself calm, slow, relaxed, etc., without the meds?

???

That's the difficult part.  If you are noticing more anxiety off the Klonapin, why don't you consider going on an anti-depressant to knock it down for the long term.  You don't say that you're having depression with this, but anxiety and depression usually go hand in hand.  You could always try therapy.  Are you having panic attacks with it, or just feeling uncomfortable in social situations?

                                                          Jkm  

Thanks for the reply, Jkm  :;):

Actually I am taking an anti-depressant right now, Luvox, to treat depression/OCD, and have been taking it for a few years.

But as you say, I have anxiety also, and I don't know if that particular problem is being addressed by Luvox. I don't think it is, to the extent that I want...

You could address this with your doc. There are meds for anxiety as well.  Most of them are addictive, but there is one, Buspar, that isn't.  Some have success with it.  It takes a couple of weeks to start working......

Having constant anxiety is not good, as I have been there.  You need to get some relief.  Sometimes the only answer is to go on meds like klonapin to reduce it.

Have you given therapy a thought?  You can learn how to deal with some of the anxiety-provoking thoughts.  There are coping techniques.  Lord knows, I use them.  Deepbreathing is probably a good one to learn.  It can help you calm down and has pulled me out of anxiety attacks.  Also, there are different therapies to help you think in a more rational manner about the things that trigger anxiety.  You might ask your doc for a referral to a therapist and give that a try.....  Usually the best treatment is meds and therapy, so you can get it all taken care of at the same time.

                                                                Love, Jkm  

Hi,

This is my first post.  I need help.  I have been experiencing some intense anxiety lately and depression.  The anxiety part is the worst.  Some of it feels very situational around work.  Some of it seems related to negative belief systems, which I have been working on in therapy.  

My physician wants me to take paxil.  I tried it for three weeks at 10mg and could not stay awake.  I did some research on meds and wondered about a different approach of really working the cognitive techniques I have been using in therapy and having ativan on hand for when I need additional relief (like a last resort).  This gives me more a sense of control.  My plan would be short term until the cognitive therapy stuff really settles in.

Has anyone trid this approach?  Did it work?

I feel desperate.

Monk

Me again,

Also I have an appointment with my physician next week - does anyone know what a dose amount would be for anxiety 1.0 mg - 2.0 mg?

Thanks again,  Monk

Hi Monk! I've never tried the benzo's like ativan and such. I've had bad times with AD's though so I stay clear of those. My anxiety relief is basically from breathing, relaxation, yoga, and cartoons  :D

Monk,

I've been in cognitive therapy to change negative thoughts to more positive thoughts with much success.  Sometimes the anxiety gets out of hand due to depression, and then meds help.  When a person gets on ad's one usually has some sedation.  It might be a good idea to talk to the doc about starting on a smaller dose and slowly going up.  I knwo paxil was very sedating for me. and I felt fine on 5mg.  I'm really small and only weigh 98lbs., so the usualy dose will not work ......  I was falling asleep at work, you know, drifting off and waking up real fast.  Not what you want your boss to see.  Doc told  me to take the dose at 6pm.  It worked some better, but meds react on all of us differently, so you just need to talk it out with your doc.

As far as the question about the 1.0-2.0 meds., I would need to know what meds are asking about?  The doseage is different on all meds and is a reference point for a particular med, not a way to tell how strong 'all' meds are.  They all compute differently.

Visit the Paxil Room for more info on Paxil.  Those people can answer your questions.  I was on Paxil about 3-4 yrs. ago.  I'm on lexapro, now.

                                                      Love, Jackie  

Hi Jackie,

I was wondering about Ativan at 1.0 - 2.0 for anxiety.  I would take it really infrequently, but sometimes all these cognitive techniques still leave me with some anxiety.

I was also on 10 mg of paxil for about four weeks.  I could not stay awake either, even at that dose.  I could last until about 11:00 am in my workday and then would have to fake meetings and come home and sleep.

Thanks for the feedback.

Take care,  S.

I know the feeling of being at work and the meds zonking you out.  Med adjustments are the worst.  Maybe you can break the 10mg. in half and do it in 2 doses, or go down to 5mg. till your body adjusts to it.  Ask your doc.

The Ativan is great for anxiety that comes on fast.  I had 2mg. Ativan and it's easy to break it into halves or even quarters.

I would take a half when I had to drive home.  It was a 38mi. drive, and I would feel the anxiety starting up before I even left work to go home.  Trying to get on a good med regime and stay employed is a fine balancing act.  Everyone I worked with knew what was going on, as I was on FMLA for 6wks., and when I went back to work, I didn't want to be having symptoms all over the place.  Luckily, one of my co-workers had had depression herself, and was very supportive, so it made it easier.

I was on Buspar for about 6mo., but it takes weeks before it works, over the long hall.  I would take it at night, as I tried to take it during the day, and it buzzed me up so bad I had to take an Ativan to keep from having a panic attack.     It's okay for long term coverage, but not good for fast-acting need.

I started out with a panic disorder, and was having panic attacks so bad I couldn't risk trying to work.  It took about 6wks. to get my system calmed down on meds.  I think one has to get it all calmed down before the coping mechanisms work.  Just a thought.....

I didn't want to go on addictive meds, and was initially resistive to the idea.  My doc told me with the kind of symptoms I was having, it would be the way to go.  I was having the agorophobia symptoms, and it was getting too comfortable sitting in the house.  My concentration was zilch, and my thoughts were racing.  I couldn't even read the first 2 weeks.  I don't want to go through that again.....  My advice is to get on some meds, live through the start-up effects and work on coping skills...  I will all calm down eventually, and then you can go on.......

                                                   Jackie  

Hello!

I have been on Paxil for about a year now and I'm now 2 weeks paxil free.  I have a few questions
regarding this pill.

First I took this pill for GAD because I was always worried about getting sick, hiv, heath problems, fear of flying, money problems, and family problems.  I would just think the worst is going to happen, but after a year of paxil I can say most of those fears are gone!  I have ask my doctor to take me off because I gained 15 pounds and I think I fell a lot better now.  can anyone here tell me how long does it take to lose the weight? or is there something I can try to lose weight quicker or any advice on my issues.

Thanks much,
Dario

Hello!

You might go to the Paxil Room to get the information you want.

I'm glad to hear that you're doing better!     to the Anxxiety Room, Dario!

I have GAD it is not my primary disorder as Bipolar is but it is very bothersome.  I seem to be getting alot of the symptoms back.  I started WB for many reasons although i am a little anxious on it, it is not horrible. I have been obsessing and worrying about everything.  Sometimes i will lay awake at night and think about all the things i need to do the next day.  I worry myself into a headache.  It stinks.

My worry is usually unessary worrying but i cant seem to stop unless i do something to distract myself, lke read, bath, interent etc.

I am looking into getting on xanax or something.  Even buspar if my doc wont give me the benzo's.  We will see.

Nice meeting everyone here.  Mel :wave: