More Things That I Have Learned With GAD

Here are some more insights that I have learned living with GAD:

While I may never be cured of my anxiety and depression, I don’t have to let it be an albatross around my neck in daily living.

You have to be your own advocate in this walk as most don’t know exactly what you are going through or will dismiss it lightly.

You will have your good days and really bad days. You can’t let the bad days bring you down too much or it will eat you alive.

Good physical health and mental health go hand in hand. It is true what they say about diet and exercise in combating anxiety.

I am not alone and there are many resources (especially online)to help me fight this and that I am not alone in this struggle.

This struggle is one that is fought day by day as each day brings forward its highs and lows. I must live this way.

Even as I struggle with this I have victory over this with the help of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Black Dog Is Gone.....For Now

Been feeling a lot better as I had a very good week. I just celebrated my birthday (I won’t say my age) and I had good time with my wife. Things have gone much better at work and I haven’t been as stressed out. Also, my favourite season Summer has officially begun.

I have been lifted out of my funk and have been doing a lot better. This is not to say that I am out of the woods but I have learned to live life one day at a time and to really the good days. I think the amount of sunshine definitely helps and the fact that I am able to get out more often.

My anxiety has been better and I have been exercising again after batting nausea and headaches for the last week or so. My health has improved over the last week and I have more energy. I am going to enjoy this time while I can. 

My Black Dog

Right now I have been experiencing what Winston Churchill called a black dog meaning depression, I been able to function but it has been hard.

I also been experiencing some stomach problems mostly nausea which may or may not be related. I am on a new med which I hope helps and have not been overeating which has helped as well. I actually had to go home from work on Tuesday because I was dry heaving and having been taking Gravols for the last couple of days as I have been off. This thing with my stomach has been going on and off for months now.

I have been doing some things to help myself like keeping up with my bible reading and I have been focusing on the book of Philippians both reading it and listening for the past few days. It has become one of my favourite books of the Bible and it is an easy read. Although, my prayer has not been as good and needs some work.

I also just finished a book by Lucinda Bassett called From Panic To Power and has been a call to action to me to change some things in my life.I been downloading some books on Kindle that deal with this topic among others. I have been going to great lengths to keep my mind busy throughout this.

I know this like all things will pass and I will be in better spirits. But in the meantime I will have a valley to cross and this black dog is with me.

 

What If...

I going through this my entire life there are a lot of what ifs that go through my mind and I’m sure some out there can say the same thing. These are just some imagined things that happen in one’s mind.

What if I get a fatal and deadly disease that will kill me?

What if I get into an accident on my way to work and/or injured in the process?

What if I have a bad day at work?

What if I get injured or get killed at work?

What if a family member gets sick or dies tomorrow?

What if the weather is very bad today?

What if I totally embarrass myself today?

On the other hand these are counter thoughts that we should think of.

What if I have a great day at work?

What if I have nice drive and hear some good music going to work?

What if I get complimented on a job well done?

What if it is a great day outside today?

What if everything will be all right and live one day at a time?

What if I give my burdens to God?

Ups And Downs

I have had quite a few ups and downs this week and things weren’t that dull. Also,I have had some struggles to go along with them.

I had insomnia for a few days as I had trouble adjusting to night shift this week and likely caused by my anxiety. I felt very tired which at times made my anxiety worse and to adjust my med schedules again. But one of my shifts was cancelled with help my anxiety but screwed up by sleep as slept for a few hours that night. Apparently the superiors didn’t show and the weather was really bad as there were really bad thunderstorms and power outages in the area.

My wife was sick as well with problems stemming for her HS. It was hard to see her in pain it was difficult for her to get around. She may have to take sick time off of work and was not been able to go out of the house.

I have found an alternative to coffee and water drinking as I have gotten into drinking peppermint which has helped with my insomnia and has soothed my nerves. I not saying it is a miracle drink but has helped me a bit with this. I look forward to trying more teas in the future as a means of cutting down my caffeine intake.

I have woken up with my stomach in knots a couple of times and with a headache but I have new med which has helped. I started a new book From Panic To Power by Lucinda Bassett which has been a helpful read this far.

Overall, it has been a very up and down week and hope things to settle as I go into day shifts this next week. I hope for more ups than downs this next week as well.

Things Not To Do With GAD

While I am not an expert these are some things I learned not to do while dealing with anxiety and depression. This just comes from experience.

1.    Use Alcohol To Numb Thoughts

To used to do this I order to separate me from these thoughts. It may work when you have a buzz on but when you wake up the next day or sober up your thoughts come back or in most cases they come back even whose than before. This goes for drugs as well although I avoid illicit drugs. I tired marijuana in the past but it made me sleepy and paranoid.(Another symptom of GAD).

2.   Remain Idle

Another bad thing to do when dealing with anxiety is to sit around or lie down. Keeping active is the way to go as you can get your body to outpace your thoughts, Sometimes it is something simple as going for a walk or doing something around the house. Plus a good workout keeps you healthy in body and mind. But just sitting or lying around makes your thoughts completely takes over.

3. Limit Caffeine

I know this should probably say avoid caffeine but I enjoy my morning coffee. I also do shift work so I need a little to get me through the night. (I avoid energy drinks however). I just drink two a day and switch to water for the rest of the day. Otherwise,I get jittery and tense. Not to mention it upsets my stomach.

4. Avoid All Your Fears

There are many things that you want to avoid when dealing with anxiety. However, it is better to face you fears as avoidance can leave thoughts on an endless cycle. This is not to put your in yourself in dangerous situations or to be reckless. But to do things at work that may give you anxiety such public speaking, meeting with a boss, try learning a new skill etc.

These are just some things to avoid when dealing with GAD as there is a right way and a wrong way to combat this.

The Latest

It has not been an up and down time for me in the last 72 hours. I went into work the other night with knots in my stomach which i had for no reason. I had to watch over some temps and actually spent most of my night looking for things to do. I felt nervous and on edge for some reason. I survived the night and things went well but still struggled.
Things were ok yesterday as I had to talk to my doctor about some stomach issues I have been having  having and got a prescription for headaches I have been having. I got caught on some sleep as I had to work overnight and it was a very quiet day and slept well last night.
I had a very rough morning  for reasons I will not get into. I still feel on edge and am a little shaky. Now I am listening to some music as am I writing and feeling a little bit better now. I got some Peppermint Tea today and hope it helps soothe my nerves. I also look forward to a calmer afternoon and night. I get need to relax and settle down.