What should I take notes about?

Question

I'm going in a few months for an anxiety assessment becuase I am believed to have General Anxiety Disorder. I want to write in a journal everytime (in my case everydy) about when I get anxious, for how long, and what, if anything, for.

Is there anything else I should take note of.

Answer 1

physical feelings other than anxiety. For example:

1) Do you have a tight feeling in your chest when you feel axious or panicked?
2) Do you get migranes?
3) Do you feel like the walls are closing in?
4) Do you have a problem sitting still?
5) Do you feal short of breath when the attack happens?
6) Do you withdrawal from situations that might make you feel anxious (like crowded rooms, unfamiliar people)?

Answer 2

It sounds like you're right on with what you're going to be taking notes on. It's important to note if there are certain events, people or times of the day that seem to trigger your anxiety - that way you can see patterns. Maybe also create a scale of 1 - 10 to gauge the current level of anxiety.

If you drink caffeinated things - You might also note when you how long it's been since you drank something caffeinating to see if there's any connection.

Answer 3

Write about your triggers. In other words, carefully analyze what in the environment seemed to cause the feelings of anxiety rising up.

It's one thing to write, "A dark stranger walked by." Go deeper. MUCH deeper. Write about every detail. What did he look like, what did his eyes seem to say, what did he see, what did you think was almost going to happen, what was he carrying, what was it about the way he walked? on and on and on.

The benefits for this are that you are going to slowly get much more knowldge of yourself and your triggers. You will discover that it's not just a blanket statement of "People bother me," but "tall men who look like my teacher in third grade bother me when they look like they are expecting something of me."

That's much richer detail!!!! And you will soon discover that MOST of the world doesn't cause you to be anxious, it's just a small sliver of experiences. Over a short time, you will learn how to recognize these events and be able to say to yourself, "oh, there's that thing again. I always feel anxious when this happens."

You will learn very powerful information by writing these things in great detail. Good luck. I suffer with this too, and I have learned to know and understand my triggers. Stay with it, work with it and you'll be glad you did.

Answer 4

i'm not an expert
but i would suggest jot down the time, your level of nervousness, and really think about why you're anxious
and how long did your anxiousness persist and how did it go away

Answer 5

Seems like you have this part very well under control, but don't forget date, time and location.

Answer 6

Stuff like this ..write down this question in you book so whom ever goes though it will know you are wanting help..Stuff like that..