GAD - Generalised Anxiety Disorder

[Sabrina89]

Hello to anyone who reads this.
I have been diagnosed with GAD (generalised anxiety disorder)
I constantly worry about pretty much everything and at this point I cannot drive a car from fear that I am going to have an accident or run over a pedestrian. I even get anxious about leaving my apartment or going to the shops to buy groceries ( which my parents do for me at the moment)
I have recently started an anti depressant (SSRI) - it is meant to be helpful with anxiety but im into my second week and nothing has changed. 
I was wondering if anyone knew of anything to help with anxiety because it is taking away my life - i barely do anything i don;t like to leave the house.

[geoff]

dear Sabrina, thanks for joining us.

GAD, is awful, and it can be linked with OCD, so first off do you suffer from this, and secondly what dosage have they got you on, as it maybe a small dosage to begin with, just to see whether or not you have any side-effects. L Geoff. x

[Sabrina89]

I don't know if I suffer from OCD - i can have obsessive thoughts over someone or something but i don't think it's OCD but it might be.

[Frankie13]

Hey Sabrina,

I too suffer from GAD along with panic attacks and agrophobia. I have been on and off medication for a few years and it can take up to a month to "kick in"  and getting the right dosage. My advise would be to seek help from someone such as a psychologist and they can give you some strategies/techniques on dealing with day to day activities and life in general. They can also help you to have a clear understanding of anxiety which in my case has helped a lot. If anxiety is having an impact on your day to day life such as your shopping i highly recommend further help. It has helped me so much i can now go to the shops and not worry that bad things are going to happen to me etc. Hope this helped you, your off to a good start by coming on to this website already !

All the best x

[Jono_Aussie]

Hi Sabrina,

 it is terrible thing to have i have suffered over 14 years of my life with it since a child, but their is techniques to manage and therapy to support you with such as (Cognitive behaviour therapy), or you could try relaxation, or meditation, some types of herbal tea are good also, you may feel some side effects from your medication for a while but youll be fine. just remember that you can get help, and it can be managed.