[Armos]

So my counselor recently diagnosed me with GAD. She told me what it was but didn't get into full detail with it but she said it can be treated with talk therapy and medication. I've been diagnosed with anxiety disorder by my primary doctor before. My anxiety has been pretty high and I feel like absolute crap. But I feel like its trying to get better on its own. I've delt with anxiety all my life. But the current anxiety is ridiculous. I can't sleep because of it and getting racing thoughts. I know GAD can stay there but will the symptoms go away on its own eventually? I'm also having issues with PTSD so I'm having talk therapy with that. My counselor says she has GAD too. But I don't know how to cope with this. I got stress so it's been bugging me from the worrying. If my pdoc diagnosed me with anxiety disorder before is it highly possible I've had GAD and delt with it all my life? How do you cope with it? I tend to be a worry wort. Thanks.

I have also been diagnosed with GAD. I think GAD is a tendency to worry about things in the past and far distant future including things that may or may not happen and ruminate too much on them. We only have control over our present. I did not have it in my youth but it developed because of both a predisposition (my mom, brother and sister got/get anxious about important deadlines--mostly their anxiety was because they wanted to do everything in their power to make things go right.) I think that dealing with genuine stress over long periods of time plus my genetic predisposition was what triggered mine.

I would recommend writing down everything you are worried about and figure out what you can and cannot control. Also, some issues in life cannot be tackled quickly. For instance, if you worry about becoming destitute some day--that cannot be tackled in a day or month. That is something that requires long term planning. Make a plan (figure out a way to create income then always save a certain percentage of it by living very simply) and take steps toward that goal everyday. Remember the saying: "Rome was not built in a day." Figure out ways to eliminate stress in your life by simplifying work, housework, etc. Make sure your daily goals are realistic. Do something everyday toward your goals and take time to relax everyday.

Continue to write and talk about your worries and figure out which ones you can control verses the worries that your cannot control. There are so many things (people, events) we cannot control in life and we have to figure out a way to accept them and let it go. GAD is worrying about lots of things that you have no control over. Think about all the things that are good in your life and that you are grateful for. Focus on positive things in the present--whether it is that first cup of coffee you have in the morning (Warning too much caffeine makes us more anxious--I am switching to decaf after my 2nd cup everyday) or enjoying the sunset in the evening while you are taking your walk--it is important to do relaxing, happy things everyday as well as controlling the things you can control.

You cannot control other people's actions, reactions and emotions. You can only control your own--if you are worrying about what other people are or are not doing--figure out if it is something you need to talk about with them or if it is something that you need to let go. If you have already made clear to them what you want and their actions are having a direct effect on your life--then you may have to set limits or walk away. I am not talking about other people's emotions (unless they are lashing out at you)--it is important to remember that other people in our lives have to figure out their own path toward happiness. Don't let them control you and also don't get to involved with telling them how to live their life.

All this is easier said than done but with a lot of self reflection and step by step work--you can shape your life to be less stressful. Be careful about taking on others unhappy emotions--sometimes I do this and it activates my anxiety......