Posted by jasmineneroli on January 2, 2005, at 17:05:53
In reply to And wait a minute... » hotagent339, posted by yellowbrickroad on January 2, 2005, at 15:16:13
The personality and lifestyle you describe sounds a lot like me........I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder.
Here are some facts:
1) People (like me) have GAD type personality (driven, energetic, overly conscientious control freaks, usually very bright) all their lives with no problem. Usually it all breaks down into anxiety attacks, panic or general overwhelmed feelings, after prolonged stress - from ANY source.
2) When it breaks down like that, so you can't cope without medication, it is then a DISORDER.
3) You may be able to function fine again without the meds, but you may need the meds for the rest of your life, because your brain chemistry has been altered by the prolonged stress/anxiety.
4)Anti-seizure medication is often prescribed for anxiety, but there are a whole range of meds that might help. As chemist says, ask your doctor for an exact diagnosis and research/ask for other medication suggestions.Your family needs to consider that they may have contributed to your excessive stress and anxiety. It may well be a factor into tipping you over the edge to an anxiety disorder!
Your family needs to be educated about Generalized Anxiety Disorder and other anxiety disorders. I bet if they were to read the DSM iv descriptions of GAD and all other mood disorders they could probably find that they, too, have a "mental illness"! Or at the very least, recognize traits within themselves that might develop into such disorders!What you need is acceptance and suppport, not labelling and criticism. You are a functioning individual in society.......so what's their problem?????? Would they rather you be an insulin dependant diabetic, who needs to take insulin shots everyday to function? OR have congestive heart failure and take clonidine and lasix everyday to survive. Is a chronic physical disorder more socially acceptable than a mood disorder? Probably.
Be at peace with who you are, and with what you need to do, to survive. They're the ones with problems.
Take care,
Jas
poster:jasmineneroli
thread:436389
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20041228/msgs/436867.html