Posted by blueboy on June 2, 2008, at 11:38:07
In reply to Chemical Anxiety Vs. Generalized Anxiety, posted by Gary_SSRI_Guy on June 1, 2008, at 10:12:35
> It seems all the literature suggest people with anxiety are classified into GAD, which suggests that people are worriers and under tons of stress, etc.
>
> In my case, none of that exists. In fact, it's just the opposite. I have no stress other than the anxiety I get day in and day out. With this said, I honestly believe it is a chemical inbalance. And it runs in my family.
>
> I just wonder why there isn't more literature on the chemical imbalance vs. Generalized Anxiety disorder.
>
> GaryI don't know if I would call my own condition "chemical" vs GAD, but there certainly are types of anxiety that the DSM IV appears to be clueless about.
Take me. I just don't "worry" about things very much. In fact, I'm rather the opposite, prone to risk-taking and a bit careless about the future.
On the other hand, I have a bad case of, well, SOMETHING. I can't do a lot of things because they throw me into a gut-wrenching panic and I freeze up. These are generally things that I have done enthusiastically, and without anxiety, in the past. For instance, paying a bill or doing my taxes (both of which I'm good at and rather enjoy) will become impossible, or at best I get the job done in a state of utter fear -- "white knuckling" is what I call it, a term I borrowed from AA.
I have destroyed several careers this way. I was a partner in a good law firm; then, one day, I simply could not face work. I would close the door to my office to say write a brief, set out all the materials I needed, and just sit there sweating. I'd push the "start" button and nothing would happen.
So I look at the DSM IV under GAD and while I certainly have a paralyzing general anxiety disorder, the diagnosis fails (or does not reflect the seriousness of my condition) because I don't sit around worrying about anything.
Take paying my taxes. Let's say, I'm due a tax refund. I'm not worried about it. In fact, I am pathologically not worried about it. There is free money sitting there waiting for me to claim it. My anxiety level at doing it is so strong, the avoidance is so powerful, that I just am unable to worry about needing the money.
I've been diagnosed Bipolar recently, so maybe this will shed some light. I don't really understand what a "mixed episode" is and maybe that will help define my problem.
poster:blueboy
thread:832339
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080528/msgs/832498.html