Diagnosed with GAD (long)
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| Wed, 05-03-2006 - 9:54am |
Hi. I'm a 33 y.o. woman who was just diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) yesterday at my psychologist's office. Just to let you know a little about myself:
I was Honorably Discharged from the Navy 3 years ago with substandard fitness report. I blamed the Navy for using me as a scapegoat, and hence I rebuttled, but was discharged anyway. After that, I found a job as an Environmental Health Specialist with the Dept of Agriculture, but that job lasted only 6 mos. I attributed that to the stress I was under and not really concentrating and focusing on my job. Plus, I thought that I was not really meant for Env Health despite the fact that I earned a B.S. and M.S. in Env Health. This was the first job where they said I was taking too long and not really following directions. I got married two years later in Sept '05, and shortly before that, I was working as a Campaign Associate with a nationally recognized altruistic association, but that ended because I was not able to go with the flow (a.k.a. not being efficient enough and not following directions). THen, I went to a career counselor thinking I didn't know what to do with my life, and that I lost direction, and she recommended for me not to care too much about what others thought and gave me different techniques to resolve my indecision (e.g., talking to people about their jobs, etc.). Then, after doing another temp position where they said the same thing, I went to an ENT doctor, got my hearing checked, and then went to the Psychologist thiking I had ADHD, but instead gave me a diagnosis of GAD.
He gave me the opition of going to therapy, and I refused it. He did give me some coping techniques though which included a therapy called "Back to 1" where I would count forward from 1-10 while breathing whenever I think about a stressful situation. The idea here would be to count forward until I don't think about that situation and just hear my breathing. Also, he suggested that I participate in an extra-curricular activity which would involve more positive interaction with people. I actually thought I did more of that in my aerobics classes since I exercise more rigorously until the beginning of my 3rd trimester of pg. Now, I'm just walking/lifting weights until my baby is born end of May '06.
Anyway, that's me. I'm kind of relieved that the Psychologist didn't recommend medication. I'm just wondering if there are people here with GAD who are coping well without the use of medication? Also, I'm wondering what all of your coping mechanisms are.
Yaddiya
P.S. The doctor also recommended Progressive Relaxtion techniques.

Hello, Yaddiya! You are very welcome here. I hope that you know you are NOT alone. Anxiety is one of the fastest growing mental health conditions. This was in my e-mail today.
Do you worry all the time? Take this simple test to find out if you might have Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). How often have you experienced each of the following in the past six months?
I hope that helps you or someone else reading. Today is the National Anxiety Disorders Screening in the US & Canada. You can read more in the announcement below. Also, you can check out the *coping tips & tricks* folder for ways to deal with what you experience without meds. I have used the belly breathing & positive thinking when panic strikes. The racing thoughts are hard to control, but allowing myself a time frame, then moving on is helpful. Some folks throw up an imaginary stop sign in their heads
Thanks for the warm welcome. Glad to be here!
Yaddiya
BTW, how do I access the coping tips folder?
Yaddiya
>I have used the belly breathing & positive thinking when panic strikes. The racing thoughts are hard to control, but allowing myself a time frame, then moving on is helpful.<
What do you mean when you say that you allow yourself a "timeframe?" The doctor recommended that I go ahead and try to practice the deep breathing technique when I feel stressed. I'm trying to decide if I work again when I should use the breathing technique. Should I do this first thing in the morning? I mean it would seem kind of odd to do this in my cubicle or on the road while I'm in an inspector job...the "Back to 1" technique. Or, should I do this right before a presentation or when I inspect a facility?
Just wanted some input. Sorry I'm not putting everything in one message.
Yaddiya
As for getting to the "coping tips & tricks" folder, just scroll down until you find it on our front page & click on each posting that interests you. If you have any trouble, let me know. If you aren't familiar with messageboards it can be kind of overwhelming @ first. I was a newbie once & with technical stuff I probably always will be:)
My time frame is actually a time limit. I probably should have explained it better. I tell myself I can worry or obssess about something for 20 minutes. That is only an example. You decide how much time you need. Then, I tell myself I have to let it go & move on. It does get easier with time. I still have bad spells, though. @ times it is hard to move on because the worry will keep popping back into my head. Re-focusing again & again makes me tired.
The breathing technique can be used whenever you need it. Sometimes folks use it throughout the day when they want to feel refreshed & find their balance. Practice makes perfect. Trying it out when you aren't feeling anxious will help you to drift into it,
Thanks for the input. I'll try what you said. Practicing the breathing when I'm not anxious, and to help control myself when I'm in a stressful situation at work.
Yaddiya