Would like help but hesitant

[bhar]

I've been anxious as long as I can remember, and now that I'm 50 I'm tired of anxiety, worry, and irritability. I'm afraid I'll lose my job and wife one of these days because of it. I want a better rest of my life. I have many of the symptoms of GAD, but not all. I'm unable to calm down, and feel like my heart's going to explode. Can anyone tell me, once you have a diagnosis...does that end up in the great medical database in the sky as "mental illness?" I fear my employer getting wind, or insurance companies and the like. If a diagnosis ends up threatening my job, then it doesn't seem worth it. I just want to calm down, stop worrying, and stop being angry.

[basketcase]

Hello,
  Living with anxiety is the hardest thing. I so understand your concerns. Its hard to share that you suffer with these feelings as people who've never experienced anxiety haven't a clue. Know you're not alone and there is help. There are millions of people in this country who are battling with this problem. What you need is help. There are things that you can try that are easily found at any drug store. You might try, valerian or St. Johns Wort and also, 5-HTP. Also, do some research here on the internet under anxiety disorders. There is a lot of info out there and ideas. I've dealt with my anxiety for 10 yrs now and its just recently that I asked my doctor about talk therapy. My insurance will pay for 5 visits and if I need more than there's a lot of paper work for the therapist to fill out and send to them but at this point I don't care, I want my life back. Do you have a close friend or maybe clergy that you could confide in? Sometimes talking helps to get old feelings out. I have a lot of issues to deal with concerning my mom who had clinical depression and other issues with my marriage. Its a long process but one has to start somewhere. I wish you all the best and hope that you find help. Don't be afraid to ask for help and getting on medication can be a godsend and your employer never needs to know. Its no different than having diabetes or any other health problem. Take care and I hope to see more posts from you.
Valerie

[piippy]

Gosh I wish I could take some of my own advice onboard!! But you will end up loosing your wife if you dont get help.  There is such a stigma about mental illness but if you had a broken leg would you not go and get it fixed? The same applies to mental illness, just because people cant see it they cant understand it. If you had a broken leg the sympathies of everyone would be with you........ but because its in our heads and hearts people dont get it. I struggle with my husband big time. He doesnt really get all this milarky, hes a strong confident outgoing man, I was when I met him but things change. He tries but his fustration lashes out and we all end up feeling pants. Your wife must have the patient of a saint and a heart of an angel, get some help if not for yourself but then for your marriage because it appears you love her very much Take Care Piippy (in cold and grey blighty!)

[amariahmicheal]

I don't think that you should worry about your employer finding out. Medical conditions are private. Your employer has no right to know what you tell your doctor, or which medications you are on.
Anxiety is a physiological problem. Meaning, that you may be feeling nervous because of a neurotransmitter imbalance. It has been so much easier for me to deal with this problem with the help of meds.
Also, please talk to your wife. Explain to her WHY you feel nervous, on edge, or moody.
Amariah

[apple]

Also tell her that sometimes you don't know why you feel the way you do...and that you don't know what she can do to help sometimes, because you don't always know what will help you

Apple