General Anxiety Disorder?

Question

I am not sure I have GAD or not.

I have been having chronic insomnia for more than 10 years now. I couldn't turn off my brain at night. Even if i manage to fall to sleep, i would only sleep 6 to 7 hours at most and i feel dead tired in the morning. (I generally need 9 hours of solid sleep each night in order to function properly the next day.) BUT, if i go to bed (at or near bed time) just to lie down and rest (eg, before taking bath) without the intention of actually sleeping, i would fall to sleep pretty fast. [Strange, I don't know why.]

I've been having this problem since 10 years ago, at which time i started to have the following feelings: (i) hopelessness, (ii) loneliness, (iii) anxiety, (iv) lack of energy, desire, etc

I am taking Remeron now, and, as a result, don't have any sleeping problem. But, obviously I don't want to take it forever.

My questions are:
(a) What's my problems? and
(b) is Cognitive Behavioural Therapy the [better] answer to my problem?

Answer 1

Sounds like you might have a GAD-Depression combo (not exactly the two-for-one deal you were going for, huh?) A few things could be going on: the sleeplessness could be causing the anxiety and feelings of hopelessness (because, as I'm sure you know, not getting enough sleep can really mess you up), OR the anxiety and hopelessness could be causing your sleeplessness.

I recommend going to the doctor (your regular doctor is fine) and telling him or her what's been going on. He or she may take you off the Remeron and put you on an antidepressant/antianxiety med, like Lexapro, which helps both those symptoms. Of course, the catch 22 in all of this is some of these meds cause insomnia, so your doctor may prescribe a light sleep aid to take before bedtime.

As far as cognitive behavioral therapy, I'm not sure how much that would help you. Instead, your doctor may recommend talk therapy to help you cope with these feelings. Either way, be sure to talk with your doc first and get his or her opinion on the whole situation--and be very straightforward with what's going on.

Personal tip: if you do end up taking another med that causes insomnia, try taking a Melatonin supplement in lieu of a prescription sleep aid. You can find it in the supplement aisle in any drug store. They come in 3mg and 5mg strengths. It also won't interfere with any other meds you might be taking, because melatonin is already produced in the brain. It's really made a difference for me :)

Hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 2

I have had panic attacks and anxiety attacks for 36 years. It started around 16 and slowly just got worse until a breakdown, about 8 years ago. I was put on paxil and ativan. Which for the most part seemed to help, but not totally. Three years ago I went to Mental Health. Here, they help people that come to them for help. I went to a councillor, but it didn't change much of anything. But they had some courses that I did take. They dealt with knowing what anxiety and panic disorders are and how to control them. Learning what my problems are that cause the attack and how to solve them. I also took a course through them on learning to be assertive, not aggressive or passive. It also showed how to have conversations with people to let them know what you really want. They were wonderful. Now, usually when I have an attack, I can control them.

Answer 3

I am so happy, it was only a 35 minute drive ( 70 minutes total) but absolutely no sign of anxiety or panic i shopped till I dropped - brilliant! I will now go for the next stage DUAL CARRIAGE way, probably at the weekend, with my husband accompanying me first then the solo drive, if successful the final stage of driving on motorway

Beat Anxiety And Panic Attacks Naturally?

Answer 4

The symptoms you list sound more like clinical depression with an anxiety component. Have you consulted a psychiatrist about the possibility of antidepressant medication?
Also, you may want to look into getting a sleep study done to make sure that when you do sleep you are getting restful sleep, you may have a form of sleep apnea.

Answer 5

I was diagnosed with GAD 4 years ago and was taking Paxil and Lorazepam and Diazepam for about the first year. I decided that I wanted to take control of my own mind and body and took myself off of the medication myself. I had these fears that I couldn't control and in order to accomplish whatever fears that you have you need to dive in them head first. I have not had one panic attack or insomnia problem in the last 3 years. Maybe seeking a therapist in the meantime would be a good option because this doesn't work for everyone. You have to want to heal yourself in order for this to work. The medications doesn't solve the problems. They just seem to drag them out. Good luck.

Answer 6

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is Always the Better route to go. Why ? because it provides you with the self coping strageties you need to succeed within, and in your life.
Anything by Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD. is Most Excellent.
And anything by Dr. Andrew Weil is good also.

"Calming Your Anxious Mind" by Jeffery Brantley MD is Excellent also.

And IF you ever, even slightly struggle with
anger, impatience and stress, the book
"Working with Anger" by Thubten Chodron
is the book for you. I have read it. The book is absolutely fantastic.

R.N. - with Masters Degree.

Answer 7

Of course talk with your doctor, but here's something that helps me: When I get "hamster head" at night I tell myself, "Not now, I will let myself do this tomorrow." Every afternoon I give myself a "mock bedtime." I darken the room, get in my jammies, get in bed, and let my head just race away! Sometimes I do fall asleep, and that's ok. That night when my head starts to race I tell myself, "ok, you had your chance earlier. There's nothing you can do about anything right now. I'll give you another chance to race tomorrow afternoon." It seems to help. I also try to do something that takes concentration before bed, I like Sudoku puzzles. It helps me narrow my focus. Lastly, ask your doctor about an anti anxiety med like clonazepam. It also helps me quiet my head at night, as lots of the racing is anxiety related.

Answer 8

This is a very good blog, a beginner’s guide to abnormal psychology.
Short, clear and simple; and you can even post your question and contact the author regarding particular subject you are interested in, for FREE

http://sensitive-psychoworld.blogspot.com/