Hi, my name is Piquet! Question about GAD

Piquet

Been suffering from Generalised Anxiety Disorder (my diagnosis!) on and off for years if not a lifetime. Had some CBT support a few years back and currently being supported (phone only with a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, who is great) for a brief while. He's currently taking a behavioural approach with me to help me set and achieve goals - I spend so much time doing/achieving little. So much of what I've read and we've talked about involves identifying what provokes the anxiety, and sometimes I can. But more often than not the cause is unidentifiable which makes it all the worse as I can't attack the problem. Have kept the worry diary, done worry time. Currently working my way through Cedar 'managing your worries' and have managed to tick most of the items on the wheel of physical feelings, emotions, behaviours and thoughts. I'd be really interested in hearing from others with similar experiences and (hopefully) strategies. Many thanks and happy new year to you all! 

Spoonbill

I've also been given that catch-all term, and personally rarely found CBT particularly useful. Honestly, I'm impressed at those who can stick it out and get results. Not great at managing it either, but could suggest you also look beyond CBT to relaxation, grounding, socialising and generally being nice/fair to yourself. Obviously if some things hanging over you from the past seem relevant to what's going on now (may do, may not), that's another thing CBT won't touch.

rhyd

I find that developing some things myself from other bits of sessions that I’d done to be useful. An activity journal when I feel overwhelmed and unproductive helps and counting exercises and little personal mantras help. I like to lie on a cold floor and try to slowly count my bones as I regulate my breathing, working through (toes to ankle to shin etc) gives me an idea of how anxious or possibly manic I am too. 

A lot of common therapies on offer I feel aren’t strictly appropriate for even more slightly complex needs. It’s worth being open with your professional and in any feedback forms etc about why you think it might not have worked. If your therapist put you off that might be very valuable information for them in the future. Hope you find something that works better

Hannah_Alumni

Hello @Piquet

I also went through CBT and found mindfulness was the best direction for me I also become more organised so I could achieve my goals. I found being organised gave me back the time I needed that I thought I didn't have before. It doesn't always go to plan but I learnt that's ok.

I always advise making sure you take time for self care, whether that be getting your nails done or taking some down time to read a book or watch a little tv

Piquet

Thanks for your input everyone. Ironically the support I've been receiving has coincidentally been a kind of  marriage counselling as my other (better) half and I are now talking about all kinds of stuff in ways we haven't for years. So that's one positive. I think the next step is to learn how to like myself a bit more!

Hannah_Alumni

That's a great positive!