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GAD
Hi i am 19 and a sophomore in college. I have been diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorder and I have had panic attacks since I was 8. I have tried medicine and counseling but nothing has really helped. I have already given up so many opportunities in my life because of my fear to have an anxiety attack. I have given up soccer and even lost friends to my fears. No one around me really knows what to do and it has been causing me to slide into a depression. My grades have began to fall and I am afraid that I have lost control of my entire life. No one truly knows how bad my anxiety has gotten over the past few years, because of fear of judgement. Anyone have any advise?





Your comment....
Hi there. I am so sorry that you have been suffering. I feel so ineffectual because I don't really know what advice to give you except for maybe trying a different doctor. (you wrote you took meds, but you didn't mention what kind...I also wonder if you saw a psychiatrist for your anxiety. You probably did. Since that didn't work out, is it at all possible for you to see a different medical professional who specializes in anxiety disorders?) I know all that costs money and takes time and it's so hard to deal with that when you are only 19 and in school. Have you tried locating a support group? They are listed on this site -- that might be worth considering. Good luck to you.
I totally understand what
I totally understand what you're going through. I agree w/ the previous post about trying a new doctor. When you call to make an appointment, ask the receptionist to speak w/ a nurse. That's a good way of finding out if the doctor will actually listen to what you're going through rather than just telling you to "deal w/ it" or whatever. There are so many effective meds. You may just need to try different ones or a combination of them. Also, my doctor told me that you CAN go to the ER/Urgent Care w/ panic attack symptoms if it's really bad, and they'll probably give you xanax or something (I'm guessing there, but you know what I mean). I may sound like I'm all "meds meds meds", but that's only because that's the only thing that has really helped me. I take Gabapentin, which is a somewhat unconventional for anxiety. I've done breathing exercises (still do them), and I cut out caffeine COMPLETELY, and I still have really bad anxiety. A prescription is the only thing that has really helped me in any kind of measurable way.
Good luck, and you've got people who understand and care about you here! xoxo