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:

How long till the Wellbrutin hits the anxiety?  Are you concerned that it might kick you into mania?  Sorry you're having to deal with the GAD.  I went through this, and it's one nasty disorder.  I thought I was loosing my grip, by the time I went in to see the doc.  I was so freaked out, I had to have my friend drive me to the docs cause I didn't want to drive anymore.  I was too nervous and  worried I'd wreck the van.  I still can't believe some of the irrational things I was thinking..  I worried about the bills, my job, my relationships, ect.  There was no reason to worry.  It wasn't a good experience.  Hope your doc will be more willing to help you out.

Something that is working extremely well for my GAD is Vistaril (hydroxizine pam). It is an old fashioned anti-hystamine and though it makes me sleepy, it does knock out the anxiety and muscle tension. The sleepiness wears off once you adjust to it.

Yes anxiety is nasty.  I took a xanax last night and that helped me get a good nights sleep for a chance.  I  dont know if my doc will prescribe but i will find a way to take them if i have to.  I am considering buspar but that takes 5 weeks or more to kick in and with someone with anxiey this is an eternity.  

I have been keeping busy today to take my mind off of my worrys and nervousness.  It is probably some of the WB but i always had this disorder.  I think the WB may boost itup a little.  But I do like the WB though.

Mel

When dealing with GAD, the only way to get the anxiety to stay down is with meds.  Once you are calmer, you can begin to look at the irrational side to your thoughts, and begin to deal with the problems that have you upset.  I know my mind was spinnning and I was afraid to try to make sense of all the chaos my mind was spinning with...  Hopefully this is a side effect of the Wellbrutin, and will go away with time, but I sure hope your doc will be more willing to help you out with this, at this point in time..  

Hi JKM,  I agree with the meds to a certain point.  My anxiety goes deep and therapy is wonderful if i could just afford it again.  I learned how to not make myself anxious etc...  I think the WB is stimulating, i dont think it is making it worse hopefully.  I am having a very bad day but it is because of overdue medical bills so i am stressing.  I hate bills.  I also take DBT therapy once a week this is helpful.

Thanks so much.  Take care.  Mel :)

We'll have bills for the rest of our lives, sorry to say.  I have three children and they take al my money, besides.  Any way you can get your bills consolidated?  We were able to do this after the birth of one of our children, and it was very helpful.    :hearts:

I know the bills do stink it is the unexpected ones that I cant afford that kill me.  We cant consolidate cause we already have one c. loan and our credit is bad right now.  Thanks for the advice.  Mel

Because all our bills were with the same hospital, and we were only able to make small payments, the hospital turned us over to an agency who did this for us, and accepted $50. payments till the bill was all paid off.  This was not a collection agency, either.  Wish you had some options to help you, cause I know that money is a big stressor for most of us, and it can lead to lots of anxiety.

I might just check into that.  I figured for this particular bill which is 3.000 Icould make 50/month is poss.  The rest my dad is taking care of Thank God.  He is paying 1000/mo.  We also have my husbands heart surgery bills which is like 3,000 they are all in collections except this last one.  I am calling them tomorrow so i am hoping they will work out a reasonable plan so i dont get p***** and say  and do mean things.  LOL  I am going to relax for the evening and deal with it tomorow this stuff drains me.   :blues:

Mel :(

I know the feeling.  They act like your sitting on a pile of money and they'll lose their business if you don't give it up.  Who wants to owe anyone money?  You have to act meek with these people to get a payment plan you can live with.  I sure couldn't do their jobs.  They must take ugly pills before they go to work!  LOL!    :joker:  Try to get what you need without getting upset with them.  I'll be thinking of you!    Hang in there.  It can only get better!

For sure LOL.  I am going to call another day I was too stressed today to deal with them.  I dont want to make a big payment around Christmas cause we need the money to have for gifts.  Thanks for your support.  I needed it.  

Take care.  Mel :)

Take your time...  I always do.  I come up with ways to do things, and let it rest for a couple of days to think it through.  It helps me to do this to make sure this is what I what to do, and to rehearse things in my mind, so my anxiety doesn't get in the way.  $$ is tight in my house, too.    

The bad thing is I have been up all night (not over that) but I decided to not pay the big med bills till after the holidays.  I am tired of being broke on the holidays.  Life is to short to never enjoy Christmas.

Take care,
Mel :)

My  oldest daughter is in the 9th grade, and this is her third year cheerleading.  I just gave her $40.00 for another pair of shoes as she does cheerleading for games, but is in competition, too.  She has 2 coming up in November.  She needs a new top to go under her suit, and said that next week has a pajama day and she wants  new sleep pants to wear to school.  I'm cutting pennies in half to do this....    Every year this gets more expensive, but I'd never take it away from her.  Then, there's the fund raisers.  Stuff I wouldn't buy, LOL!      :mad1:  I might be rolling quarters to get through this one.....

JKM
I dont have any kids yet.. :(  but I remember those days.  I was on the swim team.  Best days of my life but the stuff cost money we had to have the expensive suits, googles, hair treatment (cause my hair turned green) paddles etc.. It adds up, oh and the fund raisers, yep my mom bought a 100.00 worth of stuff cause we lived in the country and she didnt want me going door to door.  :laugh: We usually sold candy though so it wasnt bad having it in the house.  LOL...... Just swam off the calories later..  Ok I am getting a lil silly i need sleep.  I think i will try to lay down.  My gosh I am now on a night shift thanks to WB.  Ok see pdoc in a few weeks beg him to give me some sleepy pills.

Take care.. Mel :blues:

Maybe he can change the time you take your Wellbrutin.  I can't imagine being awake all night, and trying to function the next day.  Hope he fixes you up!  

I might have this GAD.  I worry excessively and once I overcome the things I worry about, then theres another one.  It's like I'm never happy and theres always something that will keep the clouds over my head.  It's a cycle that I have every month.  I feel sad and anti-social during those times that I'm worried and sometimes I  get headaches and stomach cramps because of thinking about things all the time.  I stop doing all the things that I love to do like workout, do photography, etc when I get episodes like that.  My mind is telling me that I shouldn't worry but the cloud is just up there.  I always feel like life is a struggle even when actually life is better than most.  It's the feeling that never seems to want to go away.  It's exhausting.  Joining this forum is really the first serious step that I decided to take.  I guess JKM from what you wrote about GAD, I think I also got this from my father since he is the same.  I blamed him before for the way he raise me, always worried, but I guess first step is to forgive and ask for help.  And besides my brother is the opposite.  Anyway, I want to find out more.  Thanks.

GAD, panic, agoraphobia, depression, sleep apnea, high bp.......I take so many meds that I can't keep track even with the 7 day box. Add my OCD and I really go nuts trying to remember how many of each I have already have taken, so I count the pills left in each bottle, about 5 times a week.

I am always thinking the worst will happen. As a kid I used to believe if I thought of all the bad things that could happen, they would'nt, because somehow I thought if I knew about it, it would not appear.

Growing up with low self esteem, a mother and father who showed ZERO affection towards me, as well as telling me how terrible I was, I guess has taken it's toll since I was predisposed to it anyway.

I "swim" through panic attacks.....works for me, but I look real funny!

I FORCE myself to go out, but am always relieved when I get back to my safe place.

What a mess :p

It does tend to run in families, but my Dad was an alcoholic, so I often wonder how differently his life would have turned out if he was on meds instead of alcohol.  Back when he was younger they really didn't have much to treat one with that wasn't addictive, so What Am I Thinking!  LOL!   :glare:

D.A.  Hope you can keep them meds straight, because I know that counting pills is the biggest pain, if you're not sure whether you took something or not.  How is the exercise program working, anyhow?  It's been in the lower 90's, so I'm just glad to get home from work with having a total meltdown.  The air is thick and bothersome to my lungs, so this gets the anxiety running amok, too.  Longest three miles in my life.  I used to drive 38mi. one way with the ac on and the windows partially down, to keep my crazy thoughts settled down....    :verysad3:  

Does heat bother anyone else?

JKM are all medications here need to be prescribed?  Maybe theres really a chemical imbalance in me.  Or is seeing everything negative an entirely different thing than having GAD?  But I do get affected that I can feel it physically. ???

The best thing to do is have a doctor diagnose what is going on.  It's very common to have depression along with this diagnosis.  If you fit the criteria for GAD, you're always worried, even about things that make no sense, you just cannot control the thoughts.  There is lots of worry about everything..things you can't control and you know how irrational your thoughts are, but it makes no difference.   Does this effect your concentration and sleep?

Hey, umm jackie, i think i might have GAD, but its mild, its not as bad, do you think meds will help? or should i talk to a psychologist, taking meds is a bother for me. I worry about stupid things sometimes, not as often because i calm myself down by breathing and "positive self talk" or talk to some of my family members about it. I hope meds arent the only way to end GAD, is it possible for me to end it on my own, because right now its not strong i worry a couple of times a week is all and i can sleep good too, well...with music, i cant sleep otherwise, i dont like the quietness because it gets me anxious, unless im really tired then i dont care, well, anyway, can you get back to me on that? can i stop my GAD on my own?

It's something to talk to a therapist about as gad is definitely something that is treatable.  If it doesn't get in your way or mess up your thoughts, it might be a good thing to try therapy before meds.  I have had it so bad, I didn't want to leave the house.  That's a big difference.   You seem to be able to handle it.  

thanks a lot :). yeah im gonna get an appointment soon to see my psychologist. thanks for your support  :D