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Someone help please!!! Is this GAD?

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 9/10/2008 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Ok, I dont even know where to start! I am 24 years old and I have always been a worrier even as a child, mainly about health and stuff. I would read about symptoms of a disease and then freak out thinking that I had it or that I would get it. My family moved alot from the time I was in middle school through high school, I mean like probably 10 times. One time I actually had to drive like an hour to get to school and during that time, I would always feel sick in the mornings and I just didnt feel right. I do have times where my anxiety is really bad and I feel out of control. I have noticed though that it usually spikes around time of change or when I move or something. I have a 3 year old son and within the passed 2 months I have gone through the process of buying a house which SUCKED! Mentally draining! Also, found out I am pregnant with my 2nd child and we have just moved into our house. Our house is in an area that I am not very familiar with. Anyways, with my pregnancy I am worrying about everything in the future like WHAT IF I get Gestational Diabetes, or WHAT IF I get Preclamsia, or WHAT IF I have problems with delivering the baby. I have no actual reasons that I should fear these things b/c my 1st pregnancy was perfect!!! Its just that I have read about all of these issues and now I am worried about it!!! I hate it, I dont know why I worry so much about the future and the unknown. My sons bday is in Oct and I want to have his party at my house. That stresses me out b/c we have so much stuff to work on in this house like painting and things. I guess I feel that I want people to come to his party and be really impressed or something but in reality that probably wont happen! Our house is an old house that needs little things done here and there but it stresses me out to now be able to get everything done at once! So anyways, I will admit that I have tons of things going on lately and it seems that it takes me a while to get used to change. I dont know what my problem is, it seems that I cant just live day by day without worrying about the future! I hate it! How do I change it so I can be happy?????? I know that I am a panicky person b/c I was in the hospital twice over the past 2 years with a panic attack and that was the scariest thing ever!!! Someone please help me! And thanks so much if you have read this whole long post!! Also, 1 other thing. I fear really stupid things!!!! This is the 1st house that I have lived in that has gas heat, so I was really worried about getting a carbon monoxide detecter b/c that really freaks me out, of course I haven't gotten one yet. I just feel like such a freak and I just want to be happy!!!
Posted 9/10/2008 4:25 PM (GMT 0)
angela..... First of all let me welcome you to this beautiful Healing Well family . We are indeed a family here... and support each other through absolutely everything. Everyone is caring and gentle with you so don't ever be worried about being judged or critized.
So let me tell you that you have done something wonderful for yourself today. ... and you should be very PROUD! you are taking the first steps in taking control of those awful feelings. you are being Pro-active about your anxiety and honey... that is a BIG step... and means that you already starting to get better!!!
As far as worrying about everything goes, you are talking to the expert worrier of all times.! My mind just automatically goes to the worst case scenarios , always. I am slowly learning to stop myself as soon as I realize I am doing it... trying very hard to stay in the present... which means you have to concentrate on something concrete... distract yourself right away... focus on your breathing... count your breath in slowly through the nose and hold it for 5 seconds or so...then slowly breathe it out, concentrate on your lungs expanding ,etc... or get up and do something and focus on every little detail of that action.
I am a retired nurse... so I know your worries about imagining all sorts of things that could go wrong with your health and your pregnancy. I finally had to stop looking things up on the internet every time I felt a twinge somewhere. I surrounded myself with a whole lot of positive, funny, inspirational books(from the thrift shop)... funny movies. I cut out all CSI's and Criminal Minds and anything negative, including the news . I started a "GRATITUDE " journal... making myself write in it everyday. sometimes I could only think of one thing... the sun was shining today ex. .... but soon I started thinking gratefully and that made a big difference. The other thing that works for me is nature. I love birds, trees, the ocean, flowers... so I started going outdoors everychance I got and made a point of noticing the different greens in the trees, the marvelous arrays of colors of flowers... the fresh air... forced myself to breathe.BREATHE!!!!when we are anxious we forget to breathe.
Kitt will be along soon I'm sure to tell you to focus on the present as well... We have wonderful moderators here ... they will have good , sound advice for you plus lots of tender loving care.
You have sooo much to deal with its true... change is hard on everybody... EVERYONE! so don't beat yourself up about that.
You have a beautiful little boy... concentrate on his daily achievements. PS. I started a journal to my girls when they were 2 months old( my children are a year apart too). I wrote them "love letters" ... telling them each how unique they were... how much happiness , and laughter they brought to my life.. the new little things they did everyday that I marveled at.
Well... I've said quite enough... you thought your post was long! Well, say hello to 'gabby'old Mary!
Much love and prayers to you little mom... You're already half way there... Just come to us often!
Mary
Posted 9/10/2008 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Mary thank you so much for your response! I do have another question that maybe you can answer. I have been having heart palpitations, just the awareness of my heart beating, it never feels like it skips or anything but sometimes it just seems really rapid and I can feel it in my chest. That has been my new worry lately. Im not sure if its just anxiety about being pregnant or what? Also, I wonder if forgetting to breathe can cause that? I did talk to a therapist like a year ago and she told me that she could tell I was breathing wrong just by listening to me talk. Anyways, I want this rapid heart thing to go away! I have become quite obsessed with it lately and then when it does happen it makes me worry more, which I am sure doesn't help the situation! Thanks for all your help!
Posted 9/10/2008 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Angela... I don't know about others... but I do know that when I get anxious , my pulse races and yes I am very aware of my heart beating. Try to do the breathing exercises... they work for me... I actuall lie down to do them if I can and try to imagine each breath coming through my lungs etc... and I also visualize my blood coursing through my veins and I imagine it slowing , slowing ... I picture it all going all around my body slowing down... I picture it having to yeild down in my toes... and slowly making its way back very calmly back to my heart and lungs.... If that doesn't work... I concentrate on tensing only one muscle at a time... say your right leg... tighten , count to 10 or whatever then as you breathe out release the tension in your leg muscle... on and on with your hands... feet... neck muscles etc... by the time I'm done I usually find that my breathing has slowed , my heart has stopped racing ( or with me , my chest has stopped hurting) and I am feeling much better. I was told to try these breathing/tensing exercises several times a day ...whenever I had a chance.
I also believe in visualization. Both my daughters were diagnosed with PTSD as was I. One exercise that worked really well with my youngest after a flashback , was making her close her eyes and picturing a xmas tree... no decorations... just the tree... then I would make her visualize putting the red lights in... then the blue... then the decorations slowly.... and then I would make her visualize the tree being lit up ... we'd count to three and Beautiful lighted xmas tree. It always made her feel much better and she was able to continue with her day .
My heart goes out to you sweetie.... Please keep posting... We are here for you and so am I ...
I'm not a doctor or expert but have been through sooo much with my girls that I guess I've picked up a few tricks along the way... but I have my really bad days too still... and have to be reminded by my wonderful family here that I am not alone and not to forget to breathe... stay in the present... etc.
Its' always like taking 2 steps forward and 3 backwards...but each time... you DO get stronger . The journey is difficult... its like going up hill all the time... we get exhausted from always having to work so hard...but luckily we have this wonderful family to help us , push us the rest of the way.
Sending love and prayers
Mary
Posted 9/10/2008 11:18 PM (GMT 0)
Angela,

Hello and welcome to HealingWell, I am Kitt. I am going to answer your post backword............

Your issue with the heart rhythm.

The most common type of tachycardia is sinus tachycardia, which is the body's normal reaction to stress. Treatment is generally directed at identifying the underlying cause. Anxiety is a common cause of this type of tachycardia.

Relaxation exercises are techniques to relax muscles and relieve tension by using controlled breathing and muscle flexing. They usually involve sitting down in a comfortable chair, closing your eyes and systematically tensing and relaxing different muscle groups in your body, usually starting with the legs and feet.

Ventilation occurs under the control of the autonomic nervous system so you can't forget to breathe. Your body does the breathing, you do not control breathing. :)

Your anxiety, you have recieved excellent suppot from the members.

When your fears have the best of you, it is easy to feel that things will not get any better. This is not true. There is much help available in today’s society and the best way to deal with your fears is to find effective ways to overcome them. Instead of focusing on doom, stay in the moment. Consider what matters to you. Establish a few manageable goals, then take small steps toward achieving them. Don’t try to stop everything as once as you may be setting yourself up for failure.

Please know coming here is a wonderful and courageous step. You are voicing your fears so you know what they are.

Do seek out your physician to help you. We are all here supporting you and if you fall we will pick you up my friend.

Instead of focusing on doom, stay in the moment. Give yourself breathing space. Consider what matters to you. Establish a few manageable goals, then take small steps toward achieving them.

Remember you are not really expected to be a Hallmark Mom..............that is only for cards. Just be you and that will be more then enough. Your son's party will be great as long as there is a birthday cake with candles.

I wish you peace and happiness but most of all I wish you love.

Kitt
Posted 10/2/2008 8:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hi,

I know this post is a few weeks old but I thought I would let you know that everything you described sounds pretty similar to my symptoms throughout the years. I'm in my early twenties and I get PVC's off and on. They started the same year as I was diagnosed with GAD (this past year.) I can also completely relate to the health related worrying.. when I was pregnant I worried about everything from blood clots to having an adverse reaction to the anesthesia I would be given. I didn't realize I had GAD until it had gotten unbearable. I started cognitive behavioral therapy and started feeling much better after a few weeks. I hope you feel better soon!
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