When you think no one understands ....read this.

[tigerpaw]

I spent years dealing with GAD. Practiced breathing exercises, reading Hope and Help for your nerves by Claire Weeks until the soft covered books pages were worn and tattered. Day after day, week after week, month after month, having anxiety speak into my life with words of fear, panic attacks, hot flashes and loneliness.  In the end I would just end up running out of the restaurant, or choking down food at business lunches, sitting in subway cars, my car, feeling trapped, dizzy, spacey and panicing, afraid, lonely and desperate. No one to turn to. Family and friends couldn't fathom the complexity of my illness. My doctor at that time told me to go outside and get some fresh air. How ignorant of this my most personal nightmare. I later looked back and pitied him.

Years went by, and the silent, shameful and hidden world of therapy and meds, that no one dared to talk about, filtered its hope through one person to another. After countless visits to the hospital with questioning smiles from countless doctors, and their pitied smiles, who only saw what they could touch and not what they could hear me say, sent me packing to a Psychiatrist. I gave up hope then, sitting opposite a man who listened to my well worn story like grooves from a needle in an old vinyl record. I stared blankly waiting for his sifting eyes to read the familiar story of panic and fear and push me off into the lake of misunderstanding, aimlessly set adrift to be blown by the wind of despair.

Then, as all was lost, something wonderful happened. He smiled as he shifted in his chair and offered me hope, like a desert thirsting for rain. He said he understood. He said its a common mental ailment. He talked about therapy and medication, who i now call Med my friend. It brought me freedom to walk ,think, smile, breath, and live again.

The inside could finally go outside into public places.

Your friend in the war against Anxiety.
 

[WorriedinTexas]

Just wanted to say great post. When does your book come out?

[tigerpaw]

Thanks WIT!!

[bettys814]

Thanks for that post Tiger!  It was like a big reassuring hug from cyberspace   

[laa43]

Brilliiant as always T !!!!!!

[AmInormal?]

That pretty much sums up alot of the problems that we share.  I hope that as more people begin to understand this world we live in, that it no longer becomes taboo to discuss such issues and we don't have to live in fear of the rest of the world.  Great post!

[tigerpaw]

I hope that the newbies can receive some insant hope from this post. To ALL the new people coming on board, we love you and want to reach out with a caring embrace!

WE CARE!

[tigerpaw]

For the newbies.

[nm_momma]

That really really brought a tear to my eye. Thank you so much for caring enough to write something like that. Thanks to everyone on this forum who is brave enough to share the most personal experiences in their lives with total strangers in hopes that it will help and they will be helped. What an amazing tool we have here. It's more than a tool it's a group of friendly supporters who help us cling to our sanity. I thank God that the one good thing google ever brought me was this website!

[Pumpkin GT]

That was nice.

[molbelct]

Amazing post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have truly inspired me and shown me that there is a light at the end of the tunnel!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Calamy]

Thanks for that, it's a lot nicer than another person on this board system who told me that because I get anxious with all those doctor commericals on tv I must see the world as all "butterflies" and stuff. It was a stupid thing to say. But your post at least makes sense.

[ron111]

Tiger for president!!!!

Miss ya laa.

Guys, listen closely to Tiger and Laa, they've helped me out a great deal, and i've suffered from this for a while. But things are finally starting to look good now!

[tigerpaw]

Thanks Ron we really appreachiate your comment!  I love all you guys/girls together we can beat this and ARE beating daily more and more!!

[tigerpaw]

For ALL the Newbies!!

We hope we can help you through this difficult time with your ANXIETY!!

See you in chat!!

[Sabent]

Thanks for this post, I can totally relate to the frustrations of seeing doctor after doctor shrugging their shoulders and telling me nothing was wrong.  That sinking feeling of anxiety is something all of us endure on a daily basis, but it's nice to have a place we can encourage each other to keep moving on until we find that right medication and/or therapy that just clicks and lets us get back to really enjoying the lives we so fondly wish to have back.

[Copper]

I just wanted to say when I first read this post a while back it really struck a cord and made me cry. I have been dealing with constant GAD for 3 years and I could relate to so much of what was said by tigerpaw. I have since sought medication (after 2yrs of CBT didn't work) and am doing better. Every day is still struggle but I am definitely in better spirits.

[laa43]

This post needs to always stay out there for all anxiety sufferers to read! Thanks Tiger!  Insightful as always!   laa

[Noahs Mom]

I agree with Laa... it's EXTREMELY helpful to those of us who are afraid to take our meds.  I'll read it again tonight when I need to start back on the pill wagon.

[tigerpaw]

Noahs Mom..I read your profile and it really brought a tear!   

God bless you!!

[tigerpaw]

I thought to bring this back as a Christmas present to all the NEWBIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Merry Christmas from the chat MODS Laa and Tigerpaw!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Josie]

Thanks so much for your caring through the post you send out to many who suffer from GAD.  Many people don't understand.  God has given you a caring heart.  Thank you for bleing a blessing to us. 

[nipplelina]

thank you for that! Great post, indeed. It gives me reassurring hope. I get those awful hot flushes as well. They keep me worried and on high alert, its nice to know AGAIN i'm not alone.

[tigerpaw]

So many of you continue to live this Mental Challenge Alone.....but your not alone here at the forum!!!!

There are lots of us willing to reach out to you and help!

Peace!......God Bless!!!!!

[Aussie]

For ALL the Newbies!!

We hope we can help you through this difficult time with your ANXIETY!!

See you in chat!!

Thanks mate.