Jimkel

If you suffer from GAD (generalised anxiety disorder) please read this, it might help.


(I must state for the record that this is a deeply personal ordeal and everyone is different. What worked for me may not work for you, I am not a doctor and this is my story only ,with emotional advice given here intended as uplifting and comforting only.

It is not to replace or be taken as medical advice. there is currently no "Cure" for GAD that works across the board, only healing. Also dont use this to self diagnose based on simular experience, you must see a medical professional to be diagnosed with GAD in fact I would prefer that if you have not been diagnosed with gad then you disregard this thread completely.





Hi im James, and heres my story of how I beat GAD and got my life and body back.
Im 23 years old now but when I was 18 I suffered an enormous breakdown.
Resulting in alopecia (Hairloss), weightloss and Of course Generalised anxiety disorder. After the diagnosis from my Doctor It still took a year to even accept it was anxiety because I was so spaced out just getting through the day was a challange, and any thing beyond that was impossible including common sense.

I Walked around in a daze as I said, I see allot of people here saying they feel drunk, drugged or unreal, well let me tell yall that yes it is anxiety and yes it can go away and you can feel normal again. I have felt it all, from numb body, intense paranioa, feeling really really sick, stomach ulcer, Irritable bowel disease, tension headaches, Panic attacks and everything else that goes with or is caused by good old GAD(generalised anxiety disorder).

After a year of lexepro I joined a karate club, this really really helped, just doing something different, breaking the cycle was a huge relief, and its true that a healthy amount of regular exercise helps get your brain chemicals back in order, just like a natural antidepressent. But only if the exercise is Fun! such as a sport you enjoy.

Anyway back to my story, so I was shaving my head because I had bald patches all over my head, and going to Karate class twice a week. Eventually i felt so good I gave up the lexepro and just kept up the Karate. I felt like I had been given a second chance and Things have been getting better ever since, I have a full head of hair again and I am happy. But make no mistake, This took 4 long hard years to get over, And i couldnt of done it without my Mother who supported me every step of the way.

this should be a rule for GAD sufferers in my opinion you should not allow yourself to sit for hours googling symptoms and things you think are wrong with you. You are feeding your anxiety every time you do it, And delaying your healing process.

realise you have to take an active role in overcoming your anxiety, drugs wont do it alone. You cant just think your way out of this one either so stop trying, because thats another form of worry and it just feeds the illness and paranioa. Ever hear this "Overthinking and over analyzing seperates the body from the mind" well its true (Metaphoricly speaking)

It is a PHYSICAL illness caused by a chemical reaction to stress or trauma in the brain, only removing the stress, breaking the cycle and finding an outlet for your feelings can you over come this. Realise that you as a GAD sufferer are trapped in a fight or flight response triggered by a percieved threath to your life. that response is Physical and mental and needs to be addressed both ways. Im not talking any hocus pocus here, I have gotten over an anxiety disorder that caused me to loose so much weight I was in danger of dieing (I dropped from 11.5 stone to 8 stone, Im 6 a foot tall man!! who was 8 stone!!).

Forgive me for being frank but the truth must be understood. Although the symptoms are real they are harmless, they are uncomfortable and horrific but harmless. so break the fear, when you feel anything, from the burning sensation on your skin to the drunken feeling (My personal worst feeling ever), from the numbness to the panic. Just say to yourself this is just my GAD and it will pass and nothing bad will happen.

getting well after GAD is like trying to move a mountain, on the other side of that mountain lies well being and happiness. You sit and stare at it, trying to figure it out, trying to justify the reason its there. Worry about it, obsess about it. You cannot climb this mountain, it is too hard, too big too much. so the only way to beat it is to move it, One pebble at a time, one day at a time, and then, after months or maybe years, I promise you will have diminished it to a point where you can just step over it and leave it behind.

It requires willpower, the ability to change your life completly if you have to, Self motivation and inner strenght.

I did it and you all can too, 4 years ago I was a quivering nervous wreck, underweight, bald, and trapped in a deep unforgiving personal hell. I looked inside and found an ember of hope, I believed in that ember, and one day it burst into flame and now I am a healthy, happy, confidant individual who regurlarly faces situations which would once of had me in shambles.

My prayers are with anyone who suffers this horrible condition, I wish you all the best in life and I know that with strenght and persistance you will all be ok, but you have to take the first step in leaving the worry, Obsessive thoughts, and doubt behind, you only begin to heal when you stop worrying about the illness and start getting on with life, regardless of how horrible you feel. You have to let your subconcious know its ok, everytime you worry you tell your inner self that you are under treath, Provoking the ilness and feeding the cycle. you have to start believing you are getting better and this is all in the past even when you feel absolutly horrible. I know you all can do it and for those of you who have, well done. It was the hardest thing I have ever had to do in my life but it was worth every second of it because it made me who I am today.

So people please, do yourselves a favour, think of something you always wanted to do and go for it, now while your suffering from GAD, it really really helps to take your mind of worry and give you something to live for beyond suffering. Try remember what you felt like when you were younger and carefree, what were your dreams then? Why not try fullfill one of those dreams instead of worrying yourself sick? Give yourself a reason to get well and it will be so much easier I promise, .


with love to you all
James