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How long did/has your GAD lasted? 🤔

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Posted 10/14/2016 1:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,
First off, I am new here and read through some threads before signing up as a member. I must say everyone is very supportive and makes me feel like anxiety is very common! I'm new to this anxiety panic disorder. I was recently diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder in July. (currently been on SSRI medication for about a month)

Any ways I was just wondering how long some of y'all have had Generalized Anxiety Disorder? Has it been completely constant? Are you on meds? And if so, have you consrantly been on them or do you go through periods of time when you go unmedicated?
Posted 10/14/2016 1:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Angsty and welcome!

Thanks for making a great introductory thread and letting us know about your current status and management plan.

I started my journey with an unexpected panic attack out of the blue. This went on to be a struggle with panic disorder...as I suffered attacks daily for months before finding relief through therapy.

My doctor initially prescribed me an SSRI (can't remember which one) that I did not haved filled.

I wanted to see how I did with therapy (which she also 'prescribed' in the form of a referral) first...and it did end up being sufficient for my management. (I do however completely endorse and support the use of meds when needed/indicated!!)

I no longer have the p/a's...but do deal with GAD now, with varying degree of challenges.

Most days are good...and others can be rough...

I really rely on coping skills that I have learned along the way through the therapy of course...but also through reading library books/purchasing books...looking up new tools on the internet...

..and of course taking part in the support here!

Please check out our Resources at the top of the main forum page here for great self help material. Practicing the suggested exercises daily will make a big difference in how you feel.

Keep posting with us as well if you find it helpful. We understand, care and support is key. :)

Talk soon,

Scaredy Cat
Posted 10/14/2016 3:20 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Angsty! Welcome to the forum. I'm sorry you've been struggling with anxiety, but I'm glad you've made good steps toward getting better! I'm new here too.

I've never been officially diagnosed with GA, but I'm certain I've had it for years. There are certainly times when it's easy enough to deal with, and times when it's been more difficult. I'm working on getting my situation under control, so I don't have much advice about medication, etc, but I certainly think there are folks in situations where they don't need meds always, but some people who do need preventative meds for longer term.

Anyway, glad to have you here!
Posted 10/14/2016 7:17 AM (GMT 0)
Hi

Welcome to the forum you will find good support here.

I have a diagnosis of GAD and have struggled with it for as long as I can remember.

I have been taking medication for 10yrs and have done various talking therapies over the years which have been helpful. I take each day as it comes and have to use the skills I learned in therapy to help manage my anxiety levels.

Have a look at our resources for some good links.

Hibee
Posted 10/14/2016 7:59 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Angsty! You sure are!

I haven't been diagnosed with anything, but I had my first p/a in June 2015, during the last month of my studies in Japan(That sucks when you're in the land of cuteness).

I came back and started a CBT session, which ended in 4 sessions because my therapist was leaving. So I haven't had much help, though resources online, and support pulled me through. So far I've had 3 p/a, the most serious being the 1st and 2nd. On good days I don't feel anything, on rough days, well the drill of fear and stuff comes in. Ratio of good:rough days are about 3:1.

I've never been on medication, though on the 2nd time i had a p/a, the doctor in Malaysia prescribed me "Xanax". On closer examination, it says escitalopram(Lexapro). Which is really weird considering i wanted a benzo =_=". Either way i just ate it and fell asleep feeling better afterwards. Never continued.

Still off meds, and not keeping up with coping skills due to work, but try my best every night to visualise a calming scene, sleeping has not been an issue. I'm certain i'm a PD person, not a GAD, so your experience might be different :)

Stay angsty!
Posted 10/14/2016 11:56 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Angsty
Sorry your having these do,s. On and off i have had varying degree's of gad for many years but i have also had lots of them free happy content etc

, i have been on paroxetine prescribed for anxiety and depression for about 8 years. they kicked in about a month after starting them and i was sympton free from anxiety for a couple of years .

I work 40hrs a week in a stressful job and i got run down throat and ear infection and thats when they came back. I managed to sort my self out hid it from my collegues as i am a very private person and dont share easily. And was gad free again for another couple of years.

about 9 weeks ago i was unwell with gall stones and the anxiety started, just got over that and i got another throat infection, then mouth ulcers from the antibiotics and that was it pure panic (thats why this site is good) this lot bring the best out in you, I went to my GP as i clearly was not coping and could not face going to work , so he told me to rest up stay off work and gave me a small amount of diazapam if i needed to take the edge off the anx and reminded me to look after myself the anx and panic was so bad i couldnt eat or sleep.

Since joing this site begining of Oct , i have picked up so many coping skills, have got insperation that this will get better, They have taught me so much . so after my last sunday melt down i have been off work until 2 day .And i have only needed a quarter of a 2mg tablet each day, I was told i could take up to 6mg a day but im a wimp at taking meds.

Any way sorry for the long winded reply but each persons story helps you gain insight

And i hope you start to improve soon
Posted 10/14/2016 12:35 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Angsty,
I've been dealing with anxiety on and off for about ten years. Got my first panic attack back in 2006.
My wife was pregnant with our first child and work was really stressful.
My doc put me on 10mg of lexapro and within a couple weeks I forgot all about anxiety.
I was fine and last year I decided to wean off, since it had been so long since I had felt anything more than the normal anxiety of life.
So then, last March I got prescribed an anti-biotic for an infection which I had an adverse reaction to.
The panic attacks started again and I went back on the lexapro. This time, however, I had to take 30mg to get back to feeling reasonably well again. There were some side effects that I didn't like that came with taking that much lexapro, so my psychiatrist is playing mad scientist with my meds to try and find the right combo. Currently I'm on 20mg of both lexapro and buspar a day. It's not working though. Going back on Tuesday to talk about another adjustment.

When I find the right mix, I'll be a lifer. So, that's the short version in a long post :).

I hope you find the program that works for you and you get some relief soon.
Posted 10/14/2016 8:39 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you guys so much for the encouragement and detailed replies! I appreciate any feedback. So I noticed some of you guys have been on medication for a while like Hibee, Rspwed and Gilly2. Which leads me to my next question... Is it safe to take medication for so long? I mean won't the dosage need to be increased every so often b cause of adaption of the body and brain? I'm a nursing major ironically enough lol and I have always had that curiosity
Posted 10/14/2016 9:23 PM (GMT 0)
My dose of anti anxiety/Anti depressant is 20mg daily and has never altered , some of the people in my care at work (all over 70) have taken anti-depressants for years .same dose so in my experiences that hasnt been an issue.

But others may have other experiences .
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