Wow! You just described me!

There are ways. I'm doing CBT with a therapist and it teaches you ways to change youe emotional response to negative thoughts.

Check it out and ask for it from your doctor.

I also find that doing things helps me focus externally rather than on all the negatives. My therapist has said to write down the negative thought...then write down evidence for it...then look 'outside the box' and write the realistic outcome of the thought and then write evidence for that...like evidence for the positive outcome.

I normally find that the negative thoughts spiral out of control and I end up with the worst case scenario, but when I actually write the evidence for the realistic, there is much more.

I think it's just all about looking at it from an external viewpoint and realising what is actually likely to happen.

Sorry if this seems confusing, but it is definately help me learn to change my negative thoughts.

Hope you can find peace....we deserve it!

Thank u for replying maes me feel like I am not the only person in the world that feels like this.
I am having cbt too but am only on my 3rd session. It seems to help from the panic attack point of view they are less frequent and I can control them better now its the everyday feeling tht I cant shift. In a nutshell I feel Cr*p everyday and its horrible. Before all this happened I was always ou and abot and on the go and really enjoyed life and now I feel like its changed me completely. Do you feel that way too? Can I ask - are you able to work? I was but have been signed off for the moment - I am really keen to get back though as I enjoy my job! When will I feel better?

Yep, I feel like crap most days. I feel constantly worn out with no energy and physically ill all the time.

Some days I just feel so anxious that I feel really dizzy and can't do much, sitting there stuck in a negative cycle, just thinking how bad I feel and that i'm never going to get over this.

I really try to get up and keep busy as this seems to be the most help so far. Even If I really don't feel like doing anything, I have to force myself to get involved in something as it lets me focus on the task in hand and gives me time off from the negative anxiety.

That makes me feel better not that its nice to hear that this is what its like for you too but to know I am not alone! I am the same - If I didnt have a 1 year old I think that I could lie in bed watching tv or reading all day! I used to go to the gym 3-5 times a week and I havent been now for 6 weeks - Do you think I should start going again? Sitting around probably makes me feel worse! If I get up and get o with things maybe I can combat this horrible illness??
I am on tablets which have heled meaning that I now dont cry everyday and am not as down as I was but am nowhere near right yet! I normall get excited and look forward to things but this has taken it away from me - is it the same with you?
I usually love xmas - but the thought of it this year is awful just cant be bothered!!! Then that in itself makes me feel bad!!!! AAHHHHHHH!!!!

Just know you are not alone. If it wasnt for the fact I had children and a fiance I would be completely agoraphobic at this point. I only leave the house pretty much with them. Going alone by myself is so overwhelming I get a full fledged panick attack at just the thought. I find my panick and anxiety sets in full force when I get stressed, which is all the time since I get stressed easy. It mentally drains me although I am off my job permanently on disability I can function 100% in the house. The house is spotless, cooking the kids the hubby gets taken care of. I am fine as long as I am in my "comfort zone" I guess I am not really helping with advice but I can certainly relate. I do find having this site, understanding family and keeping a huge wipe board in my kitchen to remind me of things I need to do makes it more manageable as well as I am on .25 mg of xanex four times a day for the last two years. For myself when I feel depressed or try to wish it all away, I try to think positive by saying that I am not alone I am not crazy and there is always someone going through something worse, my husband will say things to me like Donna I know your having a bad day today but today someone lost there child or today someone ended there life.. keep your chin up babe we all love you so that helps me alot. If nothing else I hope I made you feel a little better today!:)

"Generalized Anxiety Disorder" is tough. It usually means that besides suffering from panic attacks you are anxious just about every day, or most of the time so it is very difficult to function normally. But, it doesn't have to be. I like calling my years without anxiety and panic my "remission" years. I went from really strong psychiatric drugs, and two hospitalizations to a "normal" person for 10 years (taking absolutely no medicine at all). I did it through aggressive psychotherapy and changing the enviormental stress that engulfed me. Sometimes though, if your enviornment is beyond your control, you have to go with it and do the best you can to cope and get better or just survive the anxiety at that particular time. I was watching an HBO Special on panic disorder and one of the doctor's said, "Having a panic attack is like getting struck by lightning. You get struck with a panic attack, and it's so severe that you dread the feeling it gives. And, like a bolt of lightening you know it will hit you maybe 3, 4 or even 5 times a day sometimes, and you never know when this bolt will appear, therefore you start worrying about it, whether it is there or not, always dreading the next attack before it even happens, henceforth, causing generalized anxiety". There is always hope though. Don't ever give up! The most important thing is to have a good support system, a good therapist, and a good doctor. This could make all the difference in the world. Getting to the root of your anxiety disorder can begin a healing in you as well. And Kirstyh, you are right, anxiety does cause depression. Having a good doctor to prescribe a medicine for the depression and anxiety combined is very helpful. It helped me to continue working in an extremely stressful job for nearly 7 years. But then I had way too many personal issues and I kind of cracked (they were really bad, and I still haven't dealt with them yet). Faith is another important bullet in getting better. The more positive things you can do to improve your life will eventually help overcome the constant anxiety. I know how tough the battle is, but try to face it head-on, (sometimes you will fail) but remember, it's not how many times you fall, but how many times you get back up and fight.

Sending my deepest concern and prayers for you,

Julee

Thank you all for your words of encouragement and support. My husband works nights sometimes and tonight is the first time I have been alone for weeks. I am being strong and brave and am going to do this! I am now more concerned about the constant achy feeling and having no energy - if that went I think I would be so much better.
I went out on my own this pm jus walked to my mums with the baby but its a start....the feeling tired is concerning me more than going out on my own now! I am going to try the gym this week too - Might as well face this head on and whats the worst that can happen! I feel bad and have to come home! I wont have lost anything will i?

I have general anxiety marked by panic attacks too. I know it's not easy, and most of the time I worry about whatever...It is a horrible cycle. I have found some relief in being creative (like arts and crafts) and sudoku puzzles! I think it just gives something else to focus on.

Anyways, just like you there's tons of us asking when will it stop! there's no answer--we're all different. It's just important to keep on going even if you feel bad. Worrying makes everything worse.

Good luck and good thoughts!

ME TOO!

Lately I've just come to the realization with my therapist that you have to be compassionate with yourself. Stay strong. This isn't going to destroy you. You feel like it will, but in the end you're still alive.

Remember that eventually the panic ends, even if the attacks are long. (I once had one for 12 hours).

It's so hard...SO hard.

i also do acupuncture, meditate and yoga.
if you ever want to chat I'm here. :)

Also, i think working out helps me deal with the anxiety.
Most every morning I have an attack and then some time throughout the day as well. It makes it hard to do my work (full time student at a private art school), and I used to be very agoraphobic.