GAD, PTSD, or Panic Disorder?

[Polyxena]

All those *wonderful* things to deal with... anyone else deal with them? Apperently I go against the rules, so T has said I have all 3, due to the fact that I deal with constant anxiety and unpredictible Panic Attacks. Yay for me, right?

[dont cry for me]

i get panic attacks a lot... i get really nervous in a lot of situations and end up feeling ill over them

my most recent was today because i was going to the doctors

whats PTSD stand for?

xx

[Polyxena]

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)... can evolve from any real or percived threat to self.
Basically really booming in the Military, abusive situations, even one time someone comes and beats you up or something. You can become edgy and extremly sensitive to noise, avoid contact with people and social situations, flashbacks and Night terrors, as well as Disissociation...and so on. There is a good link to information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PTSD

Have you pinpointed the triggers for your Panic attacks or do they just happen without much warning? There is not much of a pattern for mine...

[dont cry for me]

mine happen in new situations... like meeting new ppl or being asked unexpected questions... i have to plan in my head exactly what im going to say to people that i dont know very well... like teachers or stuff... otherwise i get really panicky.

i also hav a fear of being touched... its taken me 5 years to let my friends hug me! i think its cos i dnt remember my mum ever hugging me... so maybe im just not used to it?

[Polyxena]

Maybe talk with your doctor about Social Anxiety Disorder?
I found this: http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/g...xiety-disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is an anxiety disorder in which a person has an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations. Anxiety (intense nervousness) and self-consciousness arise from a fear of being closely watched, judged and criticized by others.
A person with social anxiety disorder is afraid that he or she will make mistakes and be embarrassed or humiliated in front of others. The fear may be made worse by a lack of social skills or experience in social situations. The anxiety can build into a panic attack. As a result of the fear, the person endures certain social situations in extreme distress or may avoid them altogether. In addition, people with social anxiety disorder often suffer "anticipatory" anxiety -- the fear of a situation before it even happens -- for days or weeks before the event. In many cases, the person is aware that the fear is unreasonable, yet is unable to overcome it.
People with social anxiety disorder suffer from distorted thinking, including false beliefs about social situations and the negative opinions of others. Without treatment, social anxiety disorder can negatively interfere with the person's normal daily routine, including school, work, social activities and relationships.
People with social anxiety disorder may be afraid of a specific situation, such as speaking in public. However, most people with social anxiety disorder fear more than one social situation. Other situations that commonly provoke anxiety include:

• Eating or drinking in front of others.
• Writing or working in front of others.
• Being the center of attention.
• Interacting with people, including dating or going to parties.
• Asking questions or giving reports in groups.
• Using public toilets.
• Talking on the telephone.

Social anxiety disorder may be linked to other mental illnesses, such as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. In fact, many people with social anxiety disorder initially see the doctor with complaints related to these disorders, not because of social anxiety symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder?

Many people with social anxiety disorder feel that there is "something wrong," but don't recognize their feeling as a sign of illness. Symptoms include:

• Intense anxiety in social situations.
• Avoidance of social situations.
• Physical symptoms of anxiety, including confusion, pounding heart, sweating, shaking, blushing, muscle tension, upset stomach and diarrhea.

Take it from someone who has been diagnosed with every Anxiety Disorder in the DSM 4; Anxiety disorders are extremly common, can make you think you are going crazy (especially the Panic Attacks), BUT are easier to handle than you think with a little help and research. I have to take a Benzo (think like Valium, nut it is less well known) for my anxiety or else would be having Panic Attacks almost daily.

[Polyxena]

As for the hugging/touching thing... not such a good person to ask about that. I am bad in a similar way, but that is because of past traumas.

It may have contributed that your mom did not hug you, but (speaking from personal experiance and what learned from others) doubtful that is the entire reason. Maybe a component of Anxiety... maybe something else. I could not say, but you are definatly NOT alone.
Poly.

[*silenced*]

Whats GAD?
I've never been told that I've got anything or had treatment or anything, but, I get (what I assume) are panic attacks a lot. And I guess you could say I've got PTSD, but..Ive never really thought about it like that.
You're really knowledgeable with all this stuff. How do you deal with it all?

[Done-With-It!]

GAD is Generalized Anxiety Disorder.

Thanks Polly Great posts!

[Polyxena]

Thanks, DWI.

Silenced... it is a slippery slope to try and pinpoint an anxiety disorder by yourself, but working on relaxation techniques can help most of them. If you want I can post info on some that I have learned... might anyways.
How do I deal? Knowledge, therapy, time, and patience. Sometimes I DO NOT deal, and those are really bad times. But as soon as I learned that what I was going through had a name, I looked it up.

Basically with GAD, you do not have Panic Attacks. Which is why my therapist is so confused, and says I have GAD and Panic Disorder (accounts for the Panic Attacks), as well as PTSD (which you CAN have Panic Attacks, but they *apperantly* need to have a trigger(s).

Here is some info on GAD:

Generalized anxiety disorder or GAD is characterized by excessive, exaggerated anxiety and worry about everyday life events. People with symptoms of generalized anxiety disorder tend to always expect disaster and can't stop worrying about health, money, family, work or school. In people with GAD, the worry often is unrealistic or out of proportion for the situation. Daily life becomes a constant state of worry, fear and dread. Eventually, the anxiety so dominates the person's thinking that it interferes with daily functioning, including work, school, social activities and relationships.

What Are the Symptoms of GAD?

GAD affects the way a person thinks, but the anxiety can lead to physical symptoms, as well. Symptoms of GAD include:

• Excessive, ongoing worry and tension
• An unrealistic view of problems
• Restlessness or a feeling of being "edgy"
• Irritability
• Muscle tension
• Headaches
• Sweating
• Difficulty concentrating
• Nausea
• The need to go to the bathroom frequently
• Tiredness
• Trouble falling or staying asleep
• Trembling
• Being easily startled

From: http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/g...xiety-disorder

[dont cry for me]

Originally Posted by Polyxena

Maybe talk with your doctor about Social Anxiety Disorder?
I found this: http://www.webmd.com/anxiety-panic/g...xiety-disorder
Social anxiety disorder, also called social phobia, is an anxiety disorder in which a person has an excessive and unreasonable fear of social situations. Anxiety (intense nervousness) and self-consciousness arise from a fear of being closely watched, judged and criticized by others.
A person with social anxiety disorder is afraid that he or she will make mistakes and be embarrassed or humiliated in front of others. The fear may be made worse by a lack of social skills or experience in social situations. The anxiety can build into a panic attack. As a result of the fear, the person endures certain social situations in extreme distress or may avoid them altogether. In addition, people with social anxiety disorder often suffer "anticipatory" anxiety -- the fear of a situation before it even happens -- for days or weeks before the event. In many cases, the person is aware that the fear is unreasonable, yet is unable to overcome it.
People with social anxiety disorder suffer from distorted thinking, including false beliefs about social situations and the negative opinions of others. Without treatment, social anxiety disorder can negatively interfere with the person's normal daily routine, including school, work, social activities and relationships.
People with social anxiety disorder may be afraid of a specific situation, such as speaking in public. However, most people with social anxiety disorder fear more than one social situation. Other situations that commonly provoke anxiety include:

• Eating or drinking in front of others.
• Writing or working in front of others.
• Being the center of attention.
• Interacting with people, including dating or going to parties.
• Asking questions or giving reports in groups.
• Using public toilets.
• Talking on the telephone.

Social anxiety disorder may be linked to other mental illnesses, such as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression. In fact, many people with social anxiety disorder initially see the doctor with complaints related to these disorders, not because of social anxiety symptoms.
What Are the Symptoms of Social Anxiety Disorder?

Many people with social anxiety disorder feel that there is "something wrong," but don't recognize their feeling as a sign of illness. Symptoms include:

• Intense anxiety in social situations.
• Avoidance of social situations.
• Physical symptoms of anxiety, including confusion, pounding heart, sweating, shaking, blushing, muscle tension, upset stomach and diarrhea.

Take it from someone who has been diagnosed with every Anxiety Disorder in the DSM 4; Anxiety disorders are extremly common, can make you think you are going crazy (especially the Panic Attacks), BUT are easier to handle than you think with a little help and research. I have to take a Benzo (think like Valium, nut it is less well known) for my anxiety or else would be having Panic Attacks almost daily.

lol u just described me perfectly! this is all really great information! thanx!

i think ill read up more on it and maybe see a doctor or something eventually lol

xx

[Done-With-It!]

Originally Posted by Polyxena

All those *wonderful* things to deal with... anyone else deal with them? Apperently I go against the rules, so T has said I have all 3, due to the fact that I deal with constant anxiety and unpredictible Panic Attacks. Yay for me, right?

Been diagnosed w/ those as well, and also have learned to deal with them pretty much the same way as you did. (eventually)...

Both the Panic Disorder and GAD have been worse at different times in my life,
depending on my ED, or the PTSD, and towards the end of my meth use, they were all out of control... lol, pretty norm I'm sure.

I still have a hard time sleeping though because of it, It really affects my sleep.
But I am a lot better than I used to be, I think I had my first ulcer in 4th
grade, lol... I know what you mean about thinking you are going crazy.

but working on relaxation techniques can help most of them. If you want I can post info on some that I have learned... might anyways.

Yes! Anything you want to share, I'd love to hear I'm always open
to new ideas.....


Great post you guys!~ or gals, lol...

[*silenced*]

My therapist says I don't have GAD, but that I may have post traumatic stress disorder. It just seems a little strange, for me.
So yeah, it'd be great to post some exersices that have helped you?

[siren_99]

i'm not sure if i have anxiety or not..i just get like super scared to talk to someone about my cutting. like to tell someone about it.i totally break down and shake and my heart races.yea not sure if i have anxeity..

[*silenced*]

Don't self diagnose, for me it just lead to more paranoia!
If you really want to know if you have an anxiety disorder, you need to go to a professional yeah?
And if you do get a panic attack, stay calm, breathe and sit down, try to calm down (it's hard I know) and get someone to comfort you.

[siren_99]

Don't self diagnose, for me it just lead to more paranoia!
If you really want to know if you have an anxiety disorder, you need to go to a professional yeah?
And if you do get a panic attack, stay calm, breathe and sit down, try to calm down (it's hard I know) and get someone to comfort you

okay thankies