I'm having trouble applying these skills to my GAD. I have eliminated the panic stage YAY!
But I'm finding the skills are not working for the GAD. I truly try to take the other fork in the road when I catch myself whatif'ing at specific symptoms but am I really supossed to stop and do the breathing and the 6 steps at all times of the day. (I swear my GAD runs through me all throughout the day, and peaks at certain times) Can anyone help me here?

Your GAD is just a lesser level of anxiety than panic. It will respond to the same consistent, persistent treatment - like stopping to breath and relax.

Tammy

I too suffer from GAD please email me at Gkmajdj@aol.com Have you found anything to help that. I would love to talk to you.

Thanks, Deb

Amen to this post! This is my daily hell "most" of the time. I have no fear of an actual panic attack. However, the GAD is daily hell. If I'm not careful and let it get to out of hand that is when I start getting the odd body sensations. We aren't talking any of that heart pounding stuf we are talking about that passing out feeling or the light headed stuff and that nice feeling that you are drunk. I swear sometimes when I lay down on my side for relaxation there is someone slightly shoving me from behind. Not too mention that constant vibrating inside your body that can go on for hours and hours and you feel so damn keyed up you think you are going to jump out of your skin. I've been so spun up that I have to literally close my eyes and take a breath because my mind is flying like someone on crack. I REFUSE to go on meds with GAD. So I've noticed that the key to keeping it calmed down is to first get busy and do something and the next is to not what if. That is very hard when your body is acting out with werid sensations. This topic is near and dear to me because I would love and I mean LOVE to hear Lucinda talk about the daily, weekly, monthly ongoing GAD that some of us experience. It's not just a little bit of nerves it feels like you are freakin electric inside and those horrifying body sensations are really annoying. It's very different from an actual heart pounding attack that comes and then goes. HATE it and wish there was more info out there on it and what to do to get rid of it FOR GOOD!

I understand as well. For me, my medication and combo of this program has stopped the GAD. And ANYTHING that does that is good so think about some choices you may want to look at. good luck

Tammy said it best!

GAD is nothing more than anxiety. It's what's left after all the panic.... Keep moving forward working the skills and it will become less and less over time. It takes time to undo what you have done to yourself.

I have found that meditation helps greatly with GAD. Meditation teaches you to focus your mind. When you first start meditating, you will be amazed how unfocused your mind is. Our minds (people with GAD) are constantly racing with worry, what-ifs, etc. By learning to focus on one thought at a time, we teach our minds to slow down and ignore all the other distractions. I have been meditating for 3 years now and found it very effective. I still have a long way to go in mastering my thoughts and always eager to talk to others who suffer from GAD.

hey nerveball,
I wish i had the answer to GAD. Ive had it for so long i can't remember what it feels like to be "normal" For me this is the worst part of this condition. I haven't had panic attacks since the first time i went through the program 3 years ago. But the GAD just will not let up. I don't let it stop me from doing whatever I want to. But i am always uncomfortable and unable to just relax and enjoy myself. Work the program, work the program is all I ever hear. Ive worked the program from front to back and inside out many times. GAD still hangs on! Sorry if I sound peeved, but im being honest here. If you do come up with a solution let me know. Meds? possibly.
Blessings
Kimberlee

kimberlee,

I understand you fustration. I have been through the course several times and read what seem like every book on anxiety. I do my journaling, eat right, exercise and all the other good stuff. Yet, I still suffer from GAD.I don't have Panic attacks, just a constant feeling of uneasiness. Relaxation is a thing of the past for me. I find it extremely hard at times to let go and just enjoy.

I hate taking meds, but I am at that point.

Has anyone tried Lexapro?
I tried Effexor once and hated it, it made my GAD worse. I felt as if there were pins-and-needles in me.