Hello! I have GAD, Panic Disorder, Cutting, and OCD Tendencies

[danielle53 2]

Hello!  My name is Danielle and in the past year I've been diagnosed with GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and Panic Disorder, although I've had anxiety and have been self-harming on and off since I was 15 years old.  I also have OCD tendencies, though I don't think I have full-blown OCD.  I've done a lot of therapy, read a lot of books and articles, and am currently seeing a psychiatrist and taking prozac and xanax.  I also practice yoga and (try to!) do cardio exercise, write in my journal, visualize and breathe and all that other stuff. Anyway, so those are all of my mental health identities.  As for my other identities:  I live in Atlanta where I am studying psychology and anthropology undergrad right now.  I have a great support system of my mom, dad, sister, and long term boyfriend.  I love children and hope to work with children for a career someday.  For the summer, I'm working at a child psych lab part time and as a nanny part time.  It was a real struggle for me to finish my last semester at college, and by several measures it would seem I did just fine.  I feel "crazy" often though, and I have frequent panic attacks that keep me from doing many things that I'd like to or need to do.  It's a real problem that impacts my life on a practical level, but it also makes me feel terrible, scared, and sad a lot.  This summer is supposed to be my time to bounce back from last semester and hopefully to get a handle on my anxiety for the coming fall semester.  I'm constantly worried about succeeding and failing in school, in my various jobs and responsibilities, and in life in general.

[LawrenceBell 3]

Hi Danielle, dont give up on your dreams. There's a rainbow after the rain. Remember that. Continue your therapy activities and exercise often. Always think of happy thoughts whenever your feeling down. You can do this. 

[Gilly 1086]

Hi Danielle, welcome to AC

 

Lawrence is right, and you seem like a very capable person. You have a very good support system and tools to help manage your anxiety. Let me guess, you still worry anyway? Just like me. I have panic disorder too, just to add flavour to the anxiety trifle lol It is tough, but we always make it. When you have a bad attack, feel down and fed up, what I do is treat myself, it's hard to cope with so I feel I earned something a little special, and I think it helps. Use that journal to your advantage too, it does help to write down our fears and feelings, get it out rather than letting it ruminate. We are here too, if you need to vent or just have a chat, don't even think twice, together we get through it