Hello everyone, my name is Beth. I wanted to bring up perception because I think that it plays a key role in many of our disorders. I know that with my GAD, my daily battles are with my constant compulsive thinking. Negative thinking that gets my anxiety going. My perception of how I think others think of me, or how I replay the days events back over and over in my head regretting every little thing I said because I think that everyone took it the wrong way. And how very awkward I can be with certain people. I know that the reality of it, is not as severe as I make it out to be, but I still can not over come the anxiety and panic that hits me when I lay my head down at night. Even though I have days where I know that I am a fun loving person, I am plagued by the compulsive thoughts of inadequacy. I know that if I can change my perception, then maybe I can begin to get better. I will have to undo many years of learned behavior. I am taking it one day a time. I have good days and I have days with set backs, but slowly I am getting better. I have to be. I have faith.
Beth Anne