[TimelessDreamer]

I am 27 years old and was diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder. For those persons who do not know what it is, WebMD describes it as such:

"Generalized anxiety disorder occurs when you feel worried and stressed about many everyday events and activities. Often the things you are worried about are small or not important. This type of worry disrupts your life most days. Everyone gets worried or anxious sometimes, but people with generalized anxiety disorder experience more than normal everyday worries."

For me, this is frustrating. I'm a single mother of two and feel like I can't ever cope with the small stuff. They say, "Don't cry over spilled milk", but with GAD, you're worrying if you're going to spill the milk. LOL* I've been prescribed some medication for this disorder but it kind of makes me feel more anxious at times. I've tried different doses and different prescribed medications over time, giving each medication an attempt to do its "duty". But my problems here isn't the meds. Really, it's myself.

I can't seem to stop being overly anxious or worried about every-day life situations. I am going to counseling for the benefit of figuring out why I feel this way, what makes me feel this way (or what triggers it), etc. At times, I feel "psychotic" (or maybe that's not the correct word), because I don't have "control" sometimes over what I feel. I often think, will I ever feel the way I SHOULD feel, or will I ever be normal? I'm told by many, that I go through my feelings and my anxiety like anyone should when they've had some type of excessive stress, childhood trauma, etc. Yeah, but does everyone feel it as excessively as I do? I try to rationalize or over-analyze everything, I worry about what other people think TOO MUCH, I sweat the small stuff... Is this normal? AARRRG! When does it end?

I recall in 2006, before I was diagnosed, that my anxiety got so bad I stopped taking care of myself physically. I became depressed and became almost terrified to answer the phone, return calls, answer the door or receive any visitors. I felt scared that if someone called me, they had some bad news. If people visited me, I worried they'd judge me or have a negative thought about me. When you don't know that you've got GAD, you seriously question your sanity.

I'm just posting this topic to see if anyone feels the same, to give a little info to those people who wonder why they worry too much or feel anxious, or for anyone who wants to respond. I'm more curious to see how other people who may have GAD respond to their everyday life situations. It's sad when you feel obsessed with the worry that controls you. Hopefully, I have enough strength to control my anxiety.

Btw, to follow up on GAD, here is the site for WebMD:

http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/tc/generalized-anxiety-disorder-topic-overview

Thanks for reading.

[newnanna]

I am 38 years old and have been diagnosed with GAD/Panic, I know how you feel, my feelings have intensified since November I last my nephew tragically and shortly after I started having regular panic attacks, most days I have to make my self go to work, and really don't care to really fix my hair or make-up I'm just here which is totally unlike me, I experienced nausea, unable to eat, to go along with the actual painful symptoms of the anxiety, I too like you wonder is this ever going to end, will I ever
feel normal again? I take medication and am also seeing a therapist. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one.

[TimelessDreamer]

Thank you for posting! I am so glad I was able to reach out to someone! It's frustrating isn't it?? Just kinda makes you want to scream AAAAAHHH! LOL* I actually found out, that I may not have been prescribed medicine for my GAD like I was told. I had to go to the ER and they gave me medicine for my GAD. It's actually working pretty well. Does the therapist help you? I'm finding that mine is helping. But I still worry. Also, have you had your thyroid checked? You're probably asking, "Um, what does that have to do with GAD?" Well, you'll be surprised. Anxiety is actually a symptom of an abnormal or overactive thyroid. (I also have hypothyroidism.) If you go to www.stopthethyroidmadness.com, it explains its symptoms and anxiety has something to do with it. My doctor that prescribed my anxiety pills and then my family practioner has stated, that the thyroid does cause anxiety. I don't know... just a thought. But when you have your doctor check your thyroid levels, make sure you've educated yourself on what is a normal level and what is not. STTM.com (the previous site I gave) will explain a lot. Most doctors are not aware of the new guidelines and most will diagnosis a pt incorrectly - saying that a pt is only depressed; when they may actually have a thyroid issue. If you'd like, please email me at [moderator note: email address has been removed]. I'd love to share experiences, and honestly, its good to have a support system. :)

I hope this also helps people understand that there are more ways that GAD can be recognized. I've been told most people should have their thyroid checked every 6 months once they hit their mid 40's. But if you're concerned about your anxiety, it is better safe than sorry. A large % of people go undiagnosed with their thyroid. Luckily, they caught mine when I was 16. In my family, it is hereditary. Please, those that read, do not wait. GAD and Thyroiditis can be treated. Not cured... but treated. God bless!