F41.1 - GAD - Generalized anxiety disorder

I have GAD really bad. I function pretty well despite my anxiety. I clench my jaws really bad as a result. I have to take medicine to help with my anxiety.

medicine, deep breathing, meditation, yoga, and acupuncture have all helped.

~Angel

Hi!! I have GAD and it manifests in a lot of ways - stress, crying, I used to even scratch myself raw in my sleep. It was pretty intense, but I found that exercising helps. I also tried to find some creative outlets to see if I could get tangible results from my anxiety. I started doing arts and crafts and making resources for myself to anchor my mind back down when I am panicking. I made a "panic box" (a decorated shoe box) full of anchors - photos of loved ones, comfort items, etc. They help a lot. Reading and writing and journaling (by hand) helps too. If it's getting very very bad I try to go to the beach or to a very vast and expansive place in nature to remind me that I am a teeny tiny part of something beautiful and big. It's fun!

I've never done this before, so please bear with me. I've been diagnosed with a generalized anxiety disorder since I was 9, and medicated about then too. It's been 11 years and sometimes it feels like there's been no help at all. My parents are my rock. I can call them whenever and just talk about what I'm feeling and they are there for me and don't judge me. But that's about it when it comes to support. I've tried friends, but they there's always something. Sometimes they understand but they are much worse off then I, and so going to them isn't good. Other times they don't understand, like the anxiety is something I can just accept and it will go away or turn off. Other times there are those who are good listeners only if you listen to them first, and if you are killing their good mood then they've no time for you. I've been hurt so many times by this now that I've stopped looking. I started having panic and overwhelm anxiety attacks in my senior year of high school. It was only one then, now I have them several times a year. Sometimes I feel so alone. I help limit stress and anxiety in several ways. Calendars are my best friend. My phone broke (which had my calendar on it) and I almost died (exageration) from the stress. Calendars let me see what I have to do, and when, where I need to go, when I need to leave to be there, ect. The more I have under my control, the less random factors in my life, the easier time I have. This makes me the prime person all my friends go to when they are planning an event. I am very logical in life usually, so I can solve problems my friends have. Many of my friends at one point or other have relied on my to different levels for their emotional well being. I also try to get thins done when I first learn they need to be done. Deadlines are very stressful so the sooner something is completed the less stress there is building up as the deadline draws closer. Reading for me is a safe heaven. I love fantasy and scifi (with a little romance if i'm being honest) because it gets me away from my own life. I don't want to read about someone having trouble with their life when I can relate it to my own to easily, hence I don't read realistic fiction, or non fiction. Medication is helpful, but it comes (to me at least and to some others I've talked too) with the down side that you feel as though it is a crutch and you shouldn't need to be taking it. As though you are sick and you can get better and live without it. Friends can help but can also be stressful when I start realizing i'm feeling as though I have to pretend to be happier then I am. I guess there's a lot I'm dealing with, but these to me at least are my major way of dealing with my anxiety disorder.