Do you think there will ever be a cure?

[Skammy]

I've had it. My GAD is so bad I get crippled and lay in bed all day, it's nonsense. I'm just wondering if anyone thinks there's ever going to be a cure, a hope. I've tried medicine, therapy, exercise...none of it works. I just want out of it. Bad.

[Quietowl]

I don't think there's one magical cure. One thing works for someone but doesn't work for another. I know how you feel, you want to just wake up and have it all be gone.

Have you seen a therapist?

[kiddatheart]

Hi Skammy, http://www.anxietyzone.com/Smileys/default/action-smiley-065.gif

I feel it too. The frustration with IT is overwhelming. I attempt to explain it to my family, but words seem to minimize the strength of the physical sensations of it all. They are trying to understand, and are so supportive but I can see in their faces they are lost.

Please don't losing hope of getting through. I refuse to let my Anxiety win. I want me back. I know I will not be that same happy go lucky person because of it but I can only be stronger. Right? Life is difficult and I keep thinking, hoping, that all the things I am doing to help my body get through this will make it heal sooner.

Be strong. Keep looking for solutions. As we grow we go through stages and lets hope this stage ends soon. The next one will be full of laughter and better times.

Keep posting we are here listening and struggling too.
D

[Skammy]

Thanks. Yesterday was a bad day, but I just woke up so I'm not sure how today will be. I'm not letting it beat me but it's damn sure knocking me down. I keep getting back up but it's always with the question "what for?". This is the first time I've ever struggled this bad with it. I've had noticeable anxiety since I was 10, not wanting to go to school and doing anything to stay out. Never before this week though has it made me depressed. I've never been depressed once in my life (that I can remember) and this week I've just wanted to give up. I'm not going to, but this is my first "breakdown" since being on meds. Before I was prescribed I was crying and staying in the living room with my mother all week. It was a bad time, but I had hope it'd get better. It did, but this one seems unrecoverable. The thoughts are already in my head, and they're not leaving any time soon. Just want it to stop...

[Quietowl]

I know how you feel. You want a way out but there is no real way out, we have to keep on living and keep on fighting. I used to fake sick to stay home from school. I hated it. But then again my mom babied me too much and still does. You have to just do your best to give yourself a slap and get out of the bad state. Do something you enjoy just get away from the circle of feeling bad and get out of your head for a little.

[LindaRK]

At the current time, there is no "cure" for this, but there is definitely a way to manage it so you can lead a productive, reasonably happy life.  I've had anxiety for 36+ years.  From where I sit, I see people giving up much too easily ..... whether it be therapy, CBT, meds, exercise, diet - whatever MO you choose to help yourself, people just don't seem to stick with it. People look for a quick fix - for anxiety, there isn't one.  It takes alot time, patience and persistence.

[coeus]

I've had it. My GAD is so bad I get crippled and lay in bed all day, it's nonsense. I'm just wondering if anyone thinks there's ever going to be a cure, a hope. I've tried medicine, therapy, exercise...none of it works. I just want out of it. Bad.

The hope lies in those things that you've mentioned. Most of us look for cures and only do things to be able to relieve ourselves of the anxiety but maybe it's about feeling all the anxiety and building a different relationships with it.

It's bad enough that we struggle through anxiety and putting ourselves through such neglect through constant rumination and worry. It's no wonder we're looking for a cure. Personally, I don't think that there will be a cure and to some extent, it might be a good thing that there isn't. We can't exactly get rid of a mechanism that's ingrained in our mental structure. Therefore, it requires a large amount of acceptance that anxiety isn't something that is adversarial - it's there to help us.

I'm curious - how long have you committed to those things you've mentioned, i.e. exercise, medication, therapy etc?

[Skammy]

I've had it. My GAD is so bad I get crippled and lay in bed all day, it's nonsense. I'm just wondering if anyone thinks there's ever going to be a cure, a hope. I've tried medicine, therapy, exercise...none of it works. I just want out of it. Bad.

The hope lies in those things that you've mentioned. Most of us look for cures and only do things to be able to relieve ourselves of the anxiety but maybe it's about feeling all the anxiety and building a different relationships with it.

It's bad enough that we struggle through anxiety and putting ourselves through such neglect through constant rumination and worry. It's no wonder we're looking for a cure. Personally, I don't think that there will be a cure and to some extent, it might be a good thing that there isn't. We can't exactly get rid of a mechanism that's ingrained in our mental structure. Therefore, it requires a large amount of acceptance that anxiety isn't something that is adversarial - it's there to help us.

I'm curious - how long have you committed to those things you've mentioned, i.e. exercise, medication, therapy etc?

I've been on 20mg Lexapro for 2 years, and it helped for a long time, but I feel like it's fading. I also exercised for about 6-7 months, but that was when I was 15-16. I'm 17 now (18 in September) so now I'm freaking out about getting a job, helping out my single mother so I have no time for the gym. I've posted that story on other forums, that I feel bad when I sit like a bump on a log while my mom works and still provides for me when I'm 17, and I do absolutely nothing. That's one of the main things that's flaring up my anxiety, is that I have to grow up and take responsibility, but it feels like there's no time. I feel like I'm growing up too fast and that soon I'll be moving out, growing old, etc. That's my biggest fear.

As for therapy, I tried that for 3-4 months, quite a few sessions. It didn't seem to help, and out of all of them it was the most useless to me. I know it works for a lot of people, but not me.

I'm losing it. This is a battle I feel like I can't win. I don't want to go through this.

[Quietowl]

Maybe you need to see a new psychiatrist and get meds straightened out. If you feel like its fading, then you need an adjustment.

Maybe the therapist wasn't the right match, but there are plenty out there. Why not try again?

If you want out you have to try things. This isn't going to go away on its own. Sometimes even though things didn't work in the past, something may have changed and now it could work out.

[coeus]

I've been on 20mg Lexapro for 2 years, and it helped for a long time, but I feel like it's fading. I also exercised for about 6-7 months, but that was when I was 15-16. I'm 17 now (18 in September) so now I'm freaking out about getting a job, helping out my single mother so I have no time for the gym.

I have to say good job on being mature for quite a young age - definitely something we don't see often in that younger generation. I know it's been so overly emphasised but regular exercise is known for helping reducing anxiety and increase overall mental well-being. The problem is that exercise is forcefully used at the start to escape anxiety when ideally, it should be used holistically to improve health regardless of its benefits on anxiety. Do you remember if the exercise helped with your GAD/general anxiety?

That's one of the main things that's flaring up my anxiety, is that I have to grow up and take responsibility, but it feels like there's no time. I feel like I'm growing up too fast and that soon I'll be moving out, growing old, etc. That's my biggest fear.

Don't be too hard on yourself. Your concern is quite natural especially when you're coming closer to young adulthood. Maybe building a plan for yourself could help. Setting those goals and getting a clearer picture of how you'll learn to cope with a new job and taking on newer responsbilities. It's about clarifying, not worrying about it further (easier said than done!).

As for therapy, I tried that for 3-4 months, quite a few sessions. It didn't seem to help, and out of all of them it was the most useless to me. I know it works for a lot of people, but not me.

Which sort of therapy form did you learn about? CBT? And how did you go about doing the exercises and homework required for therapy?

[Skammy]

Thank you. I try to be mature but I don't want to be. I'm scared of it. When I was working out, I felt great. That was probably the best I've felt in a long time, but like I said, I feel like there's no time. When I first started I was on 10mg of Lexapro, I was exercising regularly and eating well. I lost like 60 pounds and I was on top of the world. Like I said though, I had to work on my volunteering and now I gotta get a job and grow up. I don't know how to do it. I have a plan for the future, but I don't like the idea of it.

The main reason is, I come from a very close family. I live with my single mother (meaning I never had a father figure), and I live about 15-20 minutes away from my grandma, cousins, uncles, aunts...everyone. I love them more than anything. I don't want to grow away from them. I feel like when I grow up, I have to move on, won't get to see them as much, etc. THAT honestly is my biggest fear. The thing is, I don't fear for any of their health's (besides my mothers, but even she's relatively young and pretty much healthy), I just fear not being able to spend time with them while they are here. It's making me tear up while I sit here typing this. That's why I hate this, because out of all of them the oldest is one of my 55 year old uncles, and I see him the least. I have absolutely no reason to expect them to leave me any time soon. I only get to see them (besides my grandma, I see her a lot more) on holidays, which is like 4-5 times a year. When I eventually do have to move out, I fully intend to stay within 10-15 minutes of everyone. They're the only thing that keeps me going when I feel like this, but ironically they're why I feel like this.

But even now, everything's changing. My grandma is getting older, so she might be moving in with my uncle, and I grew up in her house. I spent at least half of my life there, and then if she does move, like I said, I only see my uncles on holidays mostly, so I'd only see her on holidays. I could make it a point to still see her a lot, but me and my uncle aren't close like that. We care for each other, like each other, get along well and enjoy each others company. I don't see him a lot though so it'd be weird to just pop in with no reason for doing it. Also his daughter (my cousin) is 21 years old, but when we were little we were best friends. We saw each other ALL the time. She would come over almost every weekend and spend them with me and my mom. However she's in college now in a state away (which I've accepted very easily for some reason, no complaints) but now I fear she moves away and I never get to see her anymore.

The other person in my life is my non-related best friend (we might as well be), and he's already talking about moving all the way to California once he's 18 (in 5 months). We're in Kansas. There's no way we end up seeing each other maybe more than a few times a year.

So in conclusion if you survived that whole rant, I don't want to move away from everyone. I know there's plenty of time to worry about losing them when that time comes, but it just won't go away. That's GAD for you.

As for therapy, I've seen two people, sort of. Same office, but she has a temporary fill in when she's not available (I was equally fond of both). The time at the office seemed to work, and helped me feel better, but as soon as I went home and tried to do exercises, I would break down. That's one of the ways I went and volunteered. They set it up to where I could start to experience the responsibility of working at a cafeteria since food related businesses are probably one of my more likely first jobs. I had a great time, and even when I volunteered myself, I had a great time. It's weird how much social anxiety I DON'T have. I love being around people, and being out. That's probably another reason I love being with my whole family. Anyway, I had to make a choice (no job = less money)  to either leave therapy or leave medication, and therapy was still iffy so I chose to stick with what was proven to work. That was when I started working out along with my medication and everything got better. About a year later, here I am. Worse than ever and crying while I type this novel. I don't even know if it's worth reading, but if you do, thank you for caring more than most.

[Quietowl]

60 pounds!? That's amazing. You should remember that accomplishment. Maybe going to the gym isn't ideal right now but there's tons of workouts you can do at home and running outside, (weather permitting.)

I can relate because I have a lot of family around me. We're close yet disconnected. It's strange. Same with my cousin and I. We were so close growing up but as we got older we grew apart. He lived next door for years too, so no real excuse. Now he's in college.

My sister is moving down south now and it's kind of upsetting. I don't see her all that much now and she's about an hour away. Now with this anxiety taken over, I feel like I'll never see her again.

I guess I'm just trying to say that I understand. I don't like big changes. But it makes sense, even people without anxiety don't often like the idea of change and people being gone.

I'm sorry that you're feeling this way. Maybe writing this all out will be helpful for you in some way.

Maybe you need to do something like volunteering again. You seemed to enjoy it and you can use your natural people skills which could bea huge encouragement to you. Consider some kind of therapy again. You never know maybe at this point in your life it could be helpful.

[Skammy]

60 pounds!? That's amazing. You should remember that accomplishment. Maybe going to the gym isn't ideal right now but there's tons of workouts you can do at home and running outside, (weather permitting.)

I can relate because I have a lot of family around me. We're close yet disconnected. It's strange. Same with my cousin and I. We were so close growing up but as we got older we grew apart. He lived next door for years too, so no real excuse. Now he's in college.

My sister is moving down south now and it's kind of upsetting. I don't see her all that much now and she's about an hour away. Now with this anxiety taken over, I feel like I'll never see her again.

I guess I'm just trying to say that I understand. I don't like big changes. But it makes sense, even people without anxiety don't often like the idea of change and people being gone.

I'm sorry that you're feeling this way. Maybe writing this all out will be helpful for you in some way.

Maybe you need to do something like volunteering again. You seemed to enjoy it and you can use your natural people skills which could bea huge encouragement to you. Consider some kind of therapy again. You never know maybe at this point in your life it could be helpful.

Actually I think it did help. I'm still freaking out about growing up so fast, but typing that out made me cry, and I felt like it got something off my shoulders. That's why I'm here. I want to talk with people who understand, and that I can throw my feelings at, hoping they can relate. It's not going to get better over night and I know this, but I'm going to try and get out more. Hopefully it can get better again, and I'll be able to accept some things. The thing I do know though, is that my family will always be here. No one in the past 4 generations has lived outside of the state (besides my cousin), and the ones that live here now have lived here their whole life. Even if they were to ever move, I can deal with that then. Thanks for talking with me.

[coeus]

When I was working out, I felt great. That was probably the best I've felt in a long time, but like I said, I feel like there's no time. When I first started I was on 10mg of Lexapro, I was exercising regularly and eating well. I lost like 60 pounds and I was on top of the world.

Hey, that's evidence to show you that it's not always going to be anxiety 24/7 and that there were things that did help and that in itself should serve as some encouragement. Maybe not now but one day. In fact, some people don't even do well with medication so consider yourself lucky in that regard.

THAT honestly is my biggest fear. The thing is, I don't fear for any of their health's (besides my mothers, but even she's relatively young and pretty much healthy), I just fear not being able to spend time with them while they are here. It's making me tear up while I sit here typing this.

I read that and only sense that you're a caring and loving person towards your family with perhaps maybe a little worry about feeling separated from them. One of the things you might realise is that while we're worrying about how bad things will turn out in the future, we forget to spend time with the very people we're worrying about. Personally, I feel that's more disconcerting than the fear itself. Have you ever tried writing down those thoughts and worries that come from time to time and seeing how they make you feel?

So in conclusion if you survived that whole rant, I don't want to move away from everyone. I know there's plenty of time to worry about losing them when that time comes, but it just won't go away. That's GAD for you.

It does sound like it's causing you some distress especially that it's causing you to tear up when you face those thoughts. But this is a good time for you to practice to be aware of these things when they come up. Writing this down and sharing it with us is especially a good start and it could well be a reasonable time to reflect a little further about your feelings. Also, how were the frequency and nature of your worries about the things you've noted when you were exercising well and taking medications?

And you're right - acceptance of those worries and thoughts takes patience but there are many things you can do to help you manage those thoughts. It's very good that you have a helpful and caring family to be there for you. That's something to be grateful for. Would you consider giving therapy another shot?

[Skammy]

I would consider therapy if I could afford it. I don't have a job, so I have to rely on my mother like I said. With that I either chose medication, or therapy. Today is worse again. Just when things are looking better, they get worse. I'm going to the doctor tomorrow to see what I can do about my medication. I'm not sure what he'll do, considering I'm already on 20mg. I know 30 is relatively high, so I'm almost certain that won't happen. When I was exercising and was first on medication I had zero thoughts. On top of the world. Then slowly I had to worry about jobs, growing up, etc. Poof, anxiety out of the wazoo. It got better as I got used to these things, but now it's come back for the past 4-5 days. Non-stop. Some of them better than others. Today, probably the worst since the first. I woke up having a panic attack, and I wasn't even dreaming about anything.

And I agree with you about the family thing and how I should just spend more time with them. I just don't know how. My mother of course but I see her every day. As I said before, me and my other family aren't close in the sense that we pop in out of nowhere and see each other (besides with my grandma). It's mostly on holidays and sometimes random get togethers.

[coeus]

Fair enough - therapy can be quite costly. I'm not familiar with the mental health care system in America (which I'm assuming you're from). I do know that there are community health centres that provide low-cost counselling services that could be very useful for you if you're ready to be proactive about dealing with your GAD. Schools and university campuses provided free or low-cost counselling services too. This can certainly help you while you look for a job and perhaps may even address the worries you have with uncertainty and finding a job.

It's not necessarily about going out of your way in spending more and more time with your family but rather acknowledging the worry (whether rational or irrational) and then bringing yourself back to the moment which is neither in the past or the future - it's now. Wherever you are, whether with your friends or family, is the greatest place you can be (it's timeless). And this especially is relevant when you are actually spending time with them to be present with them and truly spend time with them and still acknowledge the worry. We don't know whether we can get rid or worry but we can certainly still appreciate our experience and treat our worries without fear.

I hope that you do find some relief in your symptoms.

[Happy sailing]

Hey there,

I didn't get a chance to read through this whole thread.  I was only able to skim it here Nd there.
However, I saw this one website before I found this one.. "anxiety no more" .. Good site!!
A person who was dealing with severe anxiety for 10 years and feels he is over it.  A lot of his techniques seem to also be on here.  Like others posts discuss the same techniques of facing the fears, letting the thoughts float etc.
However, I just thought it might be an encouragement towards being more or less "cured".   Know the word " cured" can be a touchy - debatable thing on this site.. however, I, personally am hopeful, believing I will be "cured".  For all intents and purposes.  However, I do believe one has to maintain a "maintenance" level to stay that way.  Sort of like, when one loses a pile of weight.  They can stay at that weight, with proper and consistent attention to their lifestyle.   
Anyway.. He also wrote a book,which I have NOT bought nor read.  So this is not advertising anything.  However, his website already has TONS of info. 
Again, it seems. Lots of what others have said on here relates
It is just, this is to encourage us towards the concept of a state of being "cured".