Living with generalized anxiety disorder can be challenging, but it doesn’t have to define you. Growing up, I didn’t know why I felt extra anxious in large crowds or at presentations - I just accepted that was how life was going to be. I finally realized it was more than just being naturally ‘shy,’ when my emotional health spiraled out of control and I couldn’t understand why. With help from a therapist, I was able to identify and start managing my disorder.
It’s taken time, but I’ve been able to find ways that work for me - managing stress with yoga, journaling for clarity, talking through worries with trusted friends and family members - all things that help me slow down and stay present. While there are still days that feel overwhelming, its comforting knowing that I’m aware of how my mental health functions so that I can take the steps necessary to proactively tackle bad days before they spiral out of control. Through dedication to self-care and learning the language of my mental health, anxiety doesn’t have as much power over me as it used to.
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I know it can be really hard to deal with anxiety - I’ve been there too. It took me until my late twenties to understand what was going on and why I felt so anxious all the time. Even then recognizing that it was more than just being ‘shy’ was a journey in itself! But it’s definitely possible to get through it and have more good days than bad.
I’m also encouraged to hear that you’re reaching out for help from a therapist, and making an effort to manage it through yoga, journaling and talking with trusted friends and family members - those are great first steps. Over time, you’ll probably find different activities that help keep things manageable; practising mindfulness and creative activities like drawing or painting can be quite helpful as well. Ultimately, believing in yourself is key; learning how to recognize the warning signs of feeling overwhelmed, and knowing that you’re equipped with the knowledge and skills to get back on track.
Hi,
I understand your struggle with generalized anxiety disorder. I also suffer from it and it can be incredibly daunting to process both the physical and mental impacts. For me, it’s been important to learn how to recognize the signs early on so that I can manage them better. It took a while to get to this point but over time, I found ways that worked best for me - like replacing my anxious thoughts with reassuring mantras and engaging in mindful activities such as yoga, meditation or simply going out for a walk.
I want you to know that regardless of how challenging this feels right now, you can overcome it and live a happy life without letting your anxiety define who you are. Every day is a new chance to practice self-care and choose healthier coping mechanisms. You got this!
Thanks for sharing your experience. I can relate to how you’re feeling - as someone who has been managing anxiety since my early 20s, there have definitely been many moments where it seemed like the anxiety had control over me. It wasn’t until I started seeking help and understanding what was going on that I could start to recognize that it didn’t necessarily have to define my life or who I am.
It’s a long process for sure, but having coping mechanisms like yoga, journaling and talking to friends and family really helps. And as you said, learning the language of our mental health is key in order to take back control, so it’s great that you feel empowered now in being able to proactively tackle bad days before they spiral out of control.
I wish you all the best on your continuing journey!
Hi! I’m so glad you’re reaching out for help and support. It’s an incredibly brave thing to do, and it sounds like you already have some strategies in place that are working for you. When I was in my late 30s, I went through a similar experience and found myself struggling with anxiety as well. It was tough at the time, but looking back, I’m really proud of how far I’ve come.
My first step was to talking to a therapist who specialized in mental health. This gave me the understanding of what my symptoms were and helped me map out how to approach them. It’s definitely hard work - investing the time and energy into managing our emotions can be challenging - but it pays off in the end seeing real progress. For me, activities like deep breathing and mindfulness exercises have been invaluable tools for combating anxious thoughts and allowing me to stay focused on the present moment when things get overwhelming. Building healthy habits like eating right, exercising, getting enough rest; all these things aid us emotionally and can provide relief from anxiety attacks.
You’re not alone on this journey - having someone by our side can make all the difference as we learn better ways to cope with mental health issues such as GAD. Good luck & best
Thank you for sharing your story. It’s inspiring to hear how you’ve been able to identify and manage your anxiety disorder. I can relate to feeling overwhelmed at times, but your tips for managing stress with yoga, journaling, and talking through worries with trusted friends and family members sound like really helpful strategies. I’m glad to hear that you’ve found ways to slow down and stay present, even on the tough days. Your dedication to self-care and proactive approach to tackling bad days is truly admirable. It’s comforting to know that we can learn the language of our mental health and take back some power from anxiety. Keep up the great work and thank you for sharing your wisdom with us!
Thank you for sharing your story. It’s really inspiring to hear how you’ve been able to identify and manage your anxiety disorder. I can relate to feeling overwhelmed at times, but your suggestions for managing stress with yoga and journaling is really helpful. It’s great to hear that you’ve found ways to slow down and stay present, and that you have a support system in place with trusted friends and family members. It’s so important to proactively tackle those bad days before they spiral out of control, and it’s empowering to know that anxiety doesn’t have as much power over you anymore. Your journey is a reminder that with dedication to self-care and understanding your mental health, things can get better. Thank you for sharing your tips and for being a source of encouragement for others in the forum. Keep taking care of yourself!
Hey man, I totally get where you’re coming from. Dealing with anxiety can be a real struggle, and it’s awesome that you’ve found ways to manage it. I think it’s so important to have those coping mechanisms in place, whether it’s yoga, journaling, or just having supportive people to talk to. It’s a process, for sure, but being able to recognize when things are getting hard and taking steps to address it is a huge accomplishment. Keep up the self-care and continue learning about your mental health - that’s such a powerful way to take control and not let anxiety dictate your life. You’re doing great, and I’m really glad to hear that you’re finding a sense of control over your anxiety.
Hey, thank you for sharing your story. It’s really inspiring to hear how you’ve been able to identify and manage your anxiety disorder. I can relate to feeling extra anxious in certain situations and not really understanding why. It’s great to hear that you’ve found some strategies that work for you, like yoga, journaling, and talking to trusted friends and family. I’ve found that those things help me too. It’s definitely a journey, but it’s comforting to know that we’re not alone in dealing with this stuff. Keep taking care of yourself and tackling those bad days head on. You’ve got this!