anxiety disorders

[tilesnake]

Any one here have a "general anxiety disorder" or know any one that has g.a.d.?. I can't say it's ruined my life but it's definitely had a major impact and was just wondering if anyone else on this site has been impacted by this never ending pain in the ass?.


Pat.

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[Trask]

One of my lead guys is dealing with it..and yea it's not easy. He was doing plenty of "self-medicating" and that didn't work well...he got some pro. help and it has changed things a good deal.

Good luck

[Davestone]

Mine only flares up when i log on here. :yeah: Ya gotta laugh, and know you can't control everything, and life usually turns out okay, and count the good things in your life first thing in the morning..i read something once that said "95% of the things that happen to me are good,and 5% are bad..i just gotta focus on the 95%".

[Dave Taylor]

What Dave S. said, Tile.
Get well will ya :---)

Later update:

Pat.... here is an example of what Stoner is talkin' about.... found it while-a-surfin' and you were on my mind. It's called a "Gratitude" list. Its a template of good things about one's-own-self that kin' be checked off. Kinda' a "be-nice-to-me list. Check it out: http://www.psybersquare.com/me/gratitude.html

[MudMaker]

Pat,
GAD is a general term...
Whereas anxiety disorders (such as panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and phobias), suffer from depression, and/or abuse drugs or alcohol, are more pacific.....
Not a Doc. but have had anxiety in the past..
I believe my problem was neurotransmitters/serotonin related..
Can you be more pacific? If you like, PM me if ya don't want to display online.. :zztop:

[tilesnake]

Don't know how to classify my disorder but if I where to pick from a general symptom list I suppose it would be a panic disorder for example just the other day I'm sitting on the couch watching tv and every thing is rosie and Boom my right arm goes numb my heart starts palpitating and I'm in temporary fear for my life and then you figure out that it's just the same old shit all over again so I reach for my set of keys with a small aluminum container that holds my xanax take one wait 1/2 hour for it to kick in and wonder how much further I might be in life had this worthless disorder never kicked in. It started when I was eleven years old and pretty much ruined my education among lots of other things. I had one ten year period when it magically disappeared but when my dad suffered multiple strokes over the course of six years and I was the primary care taker and the stress from that heart breaker kicked the anxieties in again and now it hasn't gone away for three years. and to top things off I run around with out health insurance because I'm considered high risk and they won't Insure me. I love life but this really blows!



Pat.

[muley]

Frankly, I don't know anybody that doesn't have some sort of disorder, makes you wonder what exactly the definition of "normal" is. What exactly is a normal human being? What mental state is normal. Happiness? Man I can't stand people that are happy all the time, makes me think they deny that which is around them. I can catogorize everbody I know into some "disorder" folder. Take all the disorders, phobias, addictions, and mental states and round up those falling into one of the above, and how many people are left? So what is normal?

[jjwq8]

If I had more than half a brain I'd be twice as crazy:D

[Steven Tiler]

i have noticed alot of guys in the tile business are self medicating, including myself at times... its something i have struggled with and overcome many times but now im doing beter than ever business wise and i am going to keep it clean for the spring /summer. im seeing to many people becoming dependant to painkillers to get through their day..

[Theold--scottyb]

I dont self medicate or doctor medicate either. Ive had severe deperession for the last 20+ years. But somehow manage to get up every morning and pretend everything is fine. I do occasionally blow up and let my temper get the better of the situation. But for now my meds are taking my 250R and jumping some 65' tabletops, or taking the R6 out and hitting about 140mph, and let the wind blow through my hair.. :bow:

[John Bridge]

I think a liberal dose of money will cure most anxiety problems. :)

[Theold--scottyb]

Can I get a HELL YEA?

[Dave Taylor]

Near the bottom of the "Gratitude" list I posted above is a place to check for "Being grateful for a great sex life".

I read that and got depressed my-own-self.

Pat.... I thought you would see that entry an' have some kinda' smart comment....so I left it posted. You must really be "in the dumps".

Move over an' I'll join ya.

[ddmoit]

Yeah, with enough cash, you get re-labeled as eccentric.

[Dave Taylor]

I unnerstan' yer' in the chi-town area an' iffn' thats' so......... you prolly already knows' this but.... I'll say it anyway.....

Coverings (the show) is a-coming' to your area soon... (sunny April I believe)
http://johnbridge.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=508408#post508408
and it may well do a world of good to attend fer' a day or so..... meet the folks (like your-own-self) what makes' this forum go.
Folks like Mr. B his-own-self on up :---)
Shuck an jive with others in yer' world so to speak.
I know it does me good.

[tilesnake]

I appreciate all the responses and to be honest thanks to a few unintentional real estate "investments" and the fact that real estate in my area has gone threw the roof money in my family is not the problem I actually think there's happier poor people than me out there who just happen to have a superior natural chemical make up than me. I realize there's people out there that have terminal illnesses and I should be happy for what I got but something is just in the way.

Pat :shrug:

[andybuildz]

Pat.... here is an example of what Stoner is talkin' about.... found it while-a-surfin' and you were on my mind. It's called a "Gratitude" list. Its a template of good things about one's-own-self that kin' be checked off. Kinda' a "be-nice-to-me list. Check it out: http://www.psybersquare.com/me/gratitude.html
Thanks a lot Dave...I was feeling just fine until I looked at that Gratitude list...ugh :crap:

[Bri]

Well, that's par for the course....I check off a few things on that list, click submit....and get this:

Error 404: NOT FOUND!


:scratch: :shake: :crazy: :rofl:

[MudMaker]

Pat,
If'n you're not happy - you're not on the right drugs......
My Docs told me that I was Clinically Depressed and needed more Seratonin. You coulda blown me over with a feather... I Thought I was happy...
Put me on a drug that helped the receptors accept the Seratonin properly and I'm a new guy.. Nothin bothers me now - Nothin... Well, mostly nothin.
Had dizzy spells - they went away too...

[Davy]

I had panic attacks back in 1989 and 90. The two doctors I went to didn't know what was going on with me although they figured it was stress related. I already knew that. I remember reading an article in the newspaper talking about people having panic attacks in the fast pace life we live. I had all the symtoms on the list.

I was over extended on bills and had plenty of work but still couldn't catch up. Worked 7 days a week trying and that got frustrating after a while. Work was all I knew during that time.

I remember the first panic attack I had. I thought I was having a heart attack. I was driving to the tile shop and all of a sudden I had a sinking feeling in my chest and my heart started racing real fast. About 15 minutes later I got to the tile shop and took my pulse and it was about 120 or so. After sitting in my truck another 20 minutes I calmed down and walked in and picked up my order of tile, at the same time trying to figure out what had just happened. Within a day or so it happened again and again and wouldn't stop, had one or two a day for a long time. I never had one while working, always while resting or driving.

I remember trying to explain to people what was going on, they would say "just snap out of it, everything will be fine". I'm sure it's different for each of us but people's advice didn't seem to help and it didn't help that the doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with me. I finally had to change things myself, my situation had to change before I could get over it and move on.

I've shared this with alot of people since those days and have found alot of folks having the same problem. I feel for ya, Tilesnake, wouldn't wish it on anybody.

[tilesnake]

Just these responses alone are a big help. I thought I would be pushed off as just another nut! There is no way to explain what an anxiety attack feels like to someone who has never had one. It's frickin intense to say the least!

Pat. just can't find the :calm:

[ddmoit]

Just these responses alone are a big help.

Glad to hear that, Pat. It looks like you're in with some good company at least.

[Bri]

Davy

What you wrote could very well been written by me. Everything you wrote I went through for about 3 years.

Went to the doctor and they could find nothing wrong. My back was aching at the time, and I went to the Chiropractor. I told him what was going on, and he said I probably had a Hiatus hernia. I went back to my GP and sure enough, the Chiropractor was right. My guts were falling down though the weak area and pulling on the surrounding tissue around my heart....causing everything you wrote in your posts. I too though it was really strange that I felt better working than resting. Anyway, my doc said that surgery didn't have a very good success rate, and put my on ant-acids :scratch: My chiropractor on the other hand said "oh, I can fix that".....and he did. He showed my which muscles were damaged and needed to be strengthened....he pushed them back into place(not sure how but hey, it worked) and gave me the proper exercises to make sure they stay there. Now, if I have any problems, and can fix it myself.

All I'm saying....it may not all be in our heads these anxiety problems. Though, I will be the first to admit, I do have other issues going on between my ears. ;)

[Davy]

It was hard to talk about during those two years, toward the end I talked to people about it, co-workers and friends and found several had the same problem. That alone made me feel better since I felt I wasn't the only one in the world with that problem.

I remember explaining it to my helper at the time. Told him he might have to grab the steering wheel someday, that I have a problem that comes over me at times that makes me dizzy. He laughed it off and said he'd just jump out when that happens. About a year after mine stopped, he started having them while going thru a divorce. He went to his doctor and found out he was having panic attacks, wasn't so funny anymore.

[cx]

Best I can tell, a whole lot of people known to me have gone through various phases of whatever this is, myself included. It's kinda baffling when it's happening, for sure, and I've never been able to explain my own to my ownself. Happened to me at a time when I thought I was in a better overall situation and more content with life than usual. Go figger.

But mostly I think it's caused by the federal government. And I'll hafta ponder a while to see if I'm kidding about that. :shades:Just these responses alone are a big help. I thought I would be pushed off as just another nut!Well, yes, Pat, there's that, too. :D

[ddmoit]

Government indeed. I'm right in the middle of figuring my taxes. I'm dealing with 2 states, selling a home, and a rental property. I'm more angry than usual about Leviathan - and that's saying something. I'd rather be grouting - and that's saying something too. :mad:

[cx]

I'd rather be grouting - and that's saying something too.Yeah, it's sayin' you should re-read the second sentence in my tilesnake quote above. :D

[Davy]

For me, after a couple months of panic attacks they become more of a nuisance than anything else. Once I figured out I probably wouldn't fall over dead, I learned to just ride them out. Still scary though when your heart is pounding while sitting still.

I did learn from the doctor that when your heart races real fast it kinda loses it's prime, it's just beating without pumping much blood and that causes the dizzy and weak feeling. I told him that makes sense. :D

[jjwq8]

A common ailment here is AIDS










Arab Induced Depression Syndrome.


Most TCN's seem to acquire it at some point during their tenure.

What with Bird Flu and seriously crappy neighbours a person might get paranoid if he didn't start glowing in the dark first.

[John K]

Pat,

You need to get with a better doctor. My mother is the queen of anxiety. After years of xanax she finally got a doctor that could regulate her meds and she does fine now. He weened her off xanax and she takes kolonopin(misspelled). :)

[Merlin]

Wow, my first post and I found a topic I know a lot about. I didn't think I would find that on this forum. LOL! (I'm here to learn since my Hubby and I are going to tile quite a few areas in our house. The backsplash & counters are my job. :crap: )
I have had anxiety attacks for almost ten years. No doctor could figure out what was wrong with me and I had almost ever test known to man. My husband even started thinking I was bonkers. It was not panic. I wasn't afraid the world was crashing in on me but I felt like I was going to explode. After lots of medications, I do not like anti-depressants because they numb me too much, I prefer Xanax but only taken if necessary. I take one as soon as I feel it coming on and let it disolve under my tongue so it hits my system faster. I ride out the storm and feel like I've lived through an inner hurricane when it's over. I have found the best way to get through them is very busy, physical work. It also gets the endorphins pumping and thats what makes your brain happy. My heart rate goes up, blood pressure goes up and that completely freaks doctors out. I was on 15 blood pressure pills a day in the beginning and when I had an anxiety attack my blood pressure would still fly through the roof. Now I'm on none. Make sure you get a good physical work up just to be sure you're healthy and if all that comes back good then start on some self help. Stop caffeine (tough one for most folks I know), stop alcohol because that only makes it worse and make sure you get a decent nights sleep every night. Sleep depravation is a key trigger for me and, from what I've read, for lots of others who suffer from anxiety. Lack of sleep keeps things from firing correctly in your brain and you produce less endorphins. Get regular 30 minute or more cardio exercise several times a week. A brisk paced walk will do just fine. Working doesn't count unless you're walking at a fast pace continuously for 30 minutes without stopping. Once again, that makes the endorphins pump and they are your bodys personal anxiety medication. :cool: (Trust me, I did not think it would work but the exercise helps 100%!)
That's why anxiety symptoms don't seem to appear during times your body is busy and show up more when you are sitting around stewing on things. Personally, (no medical degree here just experience) if anxiety symptoms did appear during active times then I would see a cardiologist because that sounds more like a heart blockage or something of that nature. Been there, done that a couple of years ago with my husband. (Sheesh, I hope I didn't cause someone more anxiety problems. :calm: ) Last but not least, find a hobby that is enjoyable but completely mindless. Something that helps you relax but will get you so engrossed you forget to think about what is bothering you. That's how my glass work business was born. I torched to relax and ended up with so many beads I started selling them so now I make money off of my anxiety reducer.
Anxiety is a scary thing to deal with but it will also help you decide what is really important in your life and what needs to be left at the door. Very few things are worth worrying yourself sick over. Your family, your health and your faith in whatever you choose. Everything else is just that... a thing.

BTW~ my name is Tracey and I like smilies. :wave: I'm hoping all you guys can give me the know how to pebble tile my kitchen backsplash with countertop inlay so I can prove to my husband that it would look good. ;) I'm making my own pebble tiles and currently have the caulk drying on the first one. By tomorrow night I should know if my idea will work.

[Tom Tee]

Does not sound like I described a anxiety disorder.


tt

[T_Hulse]

I've been through this with a close family member of mine and I just wanted to clarify something for those who haven't been around it...
This isn't stress or depression or bad feelings about situations in life, although those may be triggers that sometimes start it. You can't just "snap out of it", "keep a stiff upper lip", or have someone talk or psychoanalyze you out of it. It's physical, it's medical, it's chemical.
My family member described it to me the same heart racing symptoms above, even when nothing was wrong & everything was going good. They also described the panic as coming on very fast & being very intense. An immediate overwhelming need to flee at any cost, like a trapped animal. They did say that mindless tasks that they loved were a help in reducing occurances.
Pat I'm hoping that if nothing else, as you learn more about it you can at least remove the tiny portion of it that is the fear of the unknown.

[Davy]

Hi Tracey, welcome. :wave:

It did help when I finally found someone else that had the same problem. Just someone to talk to about it really helped me.

I was always trying to please everyone, I'm talking about builders and contractors I did work for. If they had tons of work, I had to juggle and find ways to get all the work done. It was on my shoulders, no one elses. After 2 years of panic attacks I started changing the way I thought about work. It took a while but I finally realized that I'm not the only person they can call to do this. I started telling them that I'll get to it when I get time and to get someone else if they need it done sooner. I was seeing what the stress was doing to me, I was a zombie, get up, go to work, come home and go to bed. Do the same thing tomorrow. Something had to change, I knew that. :)

[Swimmer Steve]

Sorry about your troubles Pat,

I consider myself lucky cause I've had them for only 3 periods of time and usually for 2 months or less. Once when I was about 20 and again at 30 and a mild case at 39. All for sure related to stress. In my case it wasn't that my heart would race but would fire backwards. The result was that I was extremely sensitive to every heartbeat. Even right now if you hand me a stopwatch I could tell you my pulse without feeling a vessel. When I first told my dad he thought I was a hypochondriac (sp?). Luckily I saw the doc and when he told me I was ok they magically went away. I sure wish you could snap out of a panic attack when you get one but problem is you can't. You really think you're a heartbeat away from death.

I was going to suggest pretty much what Tracey said. A good nights sleep is vital. For me to have a few slices of pizza at night with all that sodium would make matters much worse. The name of the game is to separate your mind from thinkin about your heart. You'll never guess what I do for exercise. The only other thing I would suggest is taking an asparin or Ibu (if ok with doc). For me, it kind of numbs the circulatory system and separates brain from heart.

Wish I could be more helpful but knowin your not alone should help a little. Best of luck,

[Westcoast]

Pat,

Here is a book you might find helpful: it's called The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook by Edmund J. Bourne. It's a self help workbook with excercises for people who don't want to get addicted to meds. I've found it quite a good reference and helpful esp during difficult phases in your life. Especially during these tiling sessions!!

[wannaBpro]

Pat a few words of advice. I don't have Anxiety but I do treat people with it.

You need to get with a better doctor. My mother is the queen of anxiety. After years of xanax she finally got a doctor that could regulate her meds and she does fine now. He weened her off xanax and she takes kolonopin(misspelled).

Amen...benzodiapines only cover the symptoms...It doesn't treat the patient ...just makes the doctor think he's helping.

If'n you're not happy - you're not on the right drugs......

The lack of serotonin...neurotransmitter in the brain...causes the symptoms of anxiety/depression and other psycological reasons, etc. Obviously there are other causes, many phobias that act like anxiety/depression. You need a good doc to spend time with you to find the right diagnosis. Zoloft, Paxil and other SSRI's (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are good meds and NOT addictve BUT the can have side effects too. Find someone to help you out and know that its not just in your...IT IS IN YOUR neurologic system. Good Luck.

[Dave Taylor]

After reviewin' all these here posts in reply to yer' anxiety (which I now realize is no insignificant matter) two things come to mind.

1. How well thought of you are around these here parts.

2. With all the empathy shown your anxiety.... you probably (by numbers) are more normal than I am. :---)

That’s a yoke son. :---)

How are you doing? I do worry.

Do you have plenty of tile work in the Chi area?

You gonna' show at coverings?

Inquiring minds and all that.

Thanks.

[Merlin]

Stay far, FAR away from Paxil. If a doctor prescribes it then ask for another medication. If they won't give it then find another doctor. No ifs, ands or buts. This is a nasty, nasty drug and what isn't being covered up but the manufacturer is slowly leaking out into the mainstream public via online forums and word of mouth. I have been on it and I know many people who have also been on it and could share horror stories with you guys for many days. Do a search for Paxil and see how many forums you come up with about dealing with "life after Paxil" and symptoms the drug company doesn't list. It will blow your mind how many hits this drug gets compared to others in the same class. There's a reason there are so many folks creating websites to warn others about the dangers of this drug. If you must have an anti-depressant then stick with the old timers like Prozac and Zoloft. There shouldn't be a lot of suprises with either of those drugs.
Off my soap box now. :D
Yes the attacks come on suddenly and you have no control over them. I've been dealing with this for 10 years so I've learned a lot about myself during this time. You really get to know yourself and your body because there isn't a doctor around who can make them stop. Not unless the antidepressant dosage is raised until you're numb. :loaded: I did anti-depressants for eight years. The first year or so was probably a lifesaver because I didn't know what was happening to me. I still had attacks but I just didn't care. It helped me learn that there are triggers that can increase the frequency of the attacks. Steve, a pizza night is risky for me too. I wasn't sure if it was the sodium or just the amount of processed garbage in it that built up toxins in my body. The more processed the food the more toxins and I do notice a difference in how I feel if I eat something that has long been removed from the food chain by processing plants. :sick: Doesn't mean that cosmic brownie wasn't good going in though! LOL! Alcohol seemed to cause more anxiety for me so I gave that up ten years ago. It didn't cure it but heck, I felt bad enough after an anxiety attack and a hangover only made it worse. Davey, delegate became my mantra. :D
Last but not least, I cannot believe I'm going to type this either. :eek: I will definitely be making an unusual first impression but this is for the well being of all of you sufferning from anxiety. It really does help. Normally I wouldn't say this in public much less to a room full of men. :shake: Here goes. Sex. Sexual release to be more accurate. Talk about a whammy load of endorphins. New research shows that the more you have the less anxiety you will feel because of the calming effects it has on your body.
I haven't been around this forum long enough to know if I've just opened up a big can of worms or not. :lol2:
Take care all,

[wannaBpro]

Tracey...I'm glad you found something that worls for you. But I have had good luck with Paxil...and bad luck. Medications have risks and benefits and anyone who doesn't point that out up front isn't doing there job. Paxil is an SSRI and that class of medications have a good safety and efficacy profile. But it's not for everyone.
Just like any other disease/disorder, you must first have a correct diagnosis and then find a medication that works. Not everyone has a deficiency of neurotransmittor (NT) in the brain...and that is where Paxil and SSRI's work. It you taking them and you don,t have that deficiency...well...you could see that being a problem.
The biggest problem is there is no test to check NT's.
I think another import factor in getting appropriate treatment is finding someone to listen and take the time to find what's right for each individual patient...because everyone reacts differrently. If you don't feel your doctor is interested in helping you...find someone else. If they walk in the room, hand you a prescription and walk back out...run as Tracey suggests.
The best thing is to try and be active, healthy and avoid us altogether. Luckily for me I delivery babies and get patients even if there's nothing wrong. Good Luck to all.

[ddmoit]

At the risk of picking at the scab of an old thread, I thought this article was pertinent...

http://www.damninteresting.com/?p=864

[jjwq8]

Dear God!
Politicians are actually telling the truth?:eek: