dani_elle319
10-24-2013, 07:43 AM
Hi, I found this site after a google search and I'm hoping to find some new coping techniques and support for my generalized anxiety disorder and the depression it triggers.
I first realized there was a problem my freshman year in college- I'd missed a class while sick and the next time I went into that class I had a full blown panic attack and couldn't stop thinking about what I'd missed, would we have a test that day, etc. Long story short, after nearly a year of pretending there was no problem and lying to my family, I dropped out. I couldn't even go into a classroom without panicking.
I've come a long way since then- I spent 6 years in the military where I learned the majority of my coping techniques and such. My most effective tool to date is the "What's the worst case scenario?" game. You see, I don't fear death or major catastrophes, I fear little daily tasks like making phone calls, doing paperwork or paying bills. I haven't been on medication for a long time- right after I was formally diagnosed I found out I was pregnant and went off the meds. That was three years ago and I haven't been back on them since. I'm hoping to change that soon, but the VA clinic is a slow moving entity.
I have noticed that since my son was born, I have alot more anxiety born of feeling a lack of control of my environment. I get claustrophobic much more easily, my house always has to be clean, and my husband's spontaneous nature bothers me a lot more now then it ever has.
So, I plan to linger on here alot and learn from others who are going through the same things I am. Thanks for letting me get it all out there!
I first realized there was a problem my freshman year in college- I'd missed a class while sick and the next time I went into that class I had a full blown panic attack and couldn't stop thinking about what I'd missed, would we have a test that day, etc. Long story short, after nearly a year of pretending there was no problem and lying to my family, I dropped out. I couldn't even go into a classroom without panicking.
I've come a long way since then- I spent 6 years in the military where I learned the majority of my coping techniques and such. My most effective tool to date is the "What's the worst case scenario?" game. You see, I don't fear death or major catastrophes, I fear little daily tasks like making phone calls, doing paperwork or paying bills. I haven't been on medication for a long time- right after I was formally diagnosed I found out I was pregnant and went off the meds. That was three years ago and I haven't been back on them since. I'm hoping to change that soon, but the VA clinic is a slow moving entity.
I have noticed that since my son was born, I have alot more anxiety born of feeling a lack of control of my environment. I get claustrophobic much more easily, my house always has to be clean, and my husband's spontaneous nature bothers me a lot more now then it ever has.
So, I plan to linger on here alot and learn from others who are going through the same things I am. Thanks for letting me get it all out there!