Anyone have experience with anxiety disorders?

[Goin' Coastal]

I am wondering if my DD (age 25) might have some sort of anxiety disorder. She just doesn't seem to be able to roll with life's punches. She has emotional breakdowns when I don't think she should. She should be on the top of her world right now - she graduated from grad school in December, and now has a good job as an RD, and also has had a boyfriend for almost a year and from what I hear, things are fine there. She is now living about 10 hours from home, and things were pretty smooth for a while, but lately she has been calling me crying that she is homesick. She stresses about decisions she makes and is constantly second guessing herself. She tells me she has such knots in her stomach and can't seem to let things go. She had a lot of similar issues in college and came home every weekend. Moving so far away was a HUGE step for her, but that is where she was accepted to a grad program for dietetics. I thought she was over it and it was simply a maturity matter, but now I am not so sure. A co worker has told me she is on anxiety medicine and when stressfull times occur, she has to take the medication to become her normal self. I am wondering if I should suggest my daughter see a doctor about it. Anyone out there have any thoughts on anxiety disorders? It is by no means severe - it does not keep her from going about her daily routines, but she just doesn't seem HAPPY and content with life. I would appreciate any feedback........

[jmarie]

Could she be depressed? I got severely depressed at the beginning of the summer and had all of those symproms, knots in stomach, inability to let things go, second guessing myself...I saw a Dr. and started taking a new anti-depressant Cymbalta and starting seeing a counselor.

It wasn't a fun place to be, but I am feeling lots better and after seeing three or four counselors over my life, at different times, I feel like I am finally working on problems that need to be fixed, that led up to now and am feeling really good about it. I feel better now, that I have in months....I was really starting to become a recluse. All of my really good friends have commented on how sad I seemed, even when I was supposedly having a good time and the stark contrast to now when I am back to my old self with a smile on my face again.

Prayers for your daughter that she can get this worked out. It is not a fun place to be.
Joyce

[NMG]

I have a lot of anxiety myself and take Cymbalta as well as JMARIE does. My anxiety has been greatly reduced as well as my "snappiness" per say. I would suggest to your daughter to talk to her doctor and see what she/he suggests. It doesn't mean she will need to take medication for the rest of her life, she just may need a little help right now with all the things going on in her life - working a full time job, paying her own bills, being a true adult in general can become very stressful..........I hope your DD starts to feel more herself again soon - hang in there :)

[clairea]

Both my DH and my DS (age 9) suffer from anxiety disorders. There is a whole spectrum of these disorders, and they can manifest in lots of different ways. Depression, while not on the anxiety disorder spectrum, can also cause similar symptoms, and depression and anxiety disorders frequently come together and exacerbate each other.

From what you describe, it sounds possible that your DD may have some sort of problem with anxiety, and IMO it would be worth talking to a professional about what the exact nature of her problem may be. As others have mentioned, some people just need some anti-anxiety meds to help them through stressful patches, others need long-term maintenance meds, still others can be helped with behavior modification therapy.

I'll be thinking of you both, and hoping you can figure this out. She is lucky to have a mom who cares so much!

[LakeMartinGal]

Your DD sounds a lot like mine, though mine isn't doing as well in her career. She has been diagnosed with depression, is taking two anti-depressants, and thinks she has a sleep disorder! You never get over worrying, do you? I think counseling is a reasonable step, for all the reasons previously stated.

Good luck to you and DD :)

[sillybeans]

Goin' Coastal: My husband has anxiety disorder, so I live with it every day. One that has greatly benefitted him is a specific type of therapy called cognative behavior therapy. It's the first form of therapy specifically developed to treat anxiety and depression, and has been studied and found effective in clinical trials.

I recommend your daughter talk to a therapist or psychiatrist (many therapists work in tandem with psychs who do the actual prescribing) rather than an internist. Only a mental-health professional can determine what mixture of therapy and medication is appropriate for your daughter.

If she can't find a therapist who uses CBT, I highly recommend The Feeling Good Handbook by Dr. David Burns. It's really amazing.

HTH,
Tracy

[mcraig13]

DD, now 19, was diagnosed with "anxiety disorder of childhood" at age 12. Evidently, childhood isn't over. She is much better though. She participated in cognitive behavior therapy also..a number of years ago. It did help a lot. And knowing what was wrong helped as much as anything.

She has finished one year of college and has had a good summer home...we all have, although I was really dreading it. She has not resorted to meds yet...but that is something that she knows is out there if she needs it.

Looking back, we think that my younger brother also suffered from the same thing...but folks weren't as quick then to get mental health help. He came up with his own coping mechanisms and leads a successful life (not counting marrieage), but some things would have been a lot easier with some help.

[Goin' Coastal]

Thanks for everyones ideas and suggestions. She is coming home for a few days and we'll talk about it and make a plan. I know something is just not right, but I am just not sure how to go about getting her help. I think seeing a doctor would be a good first step. though. How does one go about finding a therapist? I can't imagine picking one out of the yellow pages. Would you ask a family doctor to recommend one? Tracy, thanks for the book suggestion - I am going to stop at Barnes and Noble's today to see if they have it.

[LakeMartinGal]

How does one go about finding a therapist? I can't imagine picking one out of the yellow pages.
Personal recommendations are the usual way, but ask around... sometimes, it depends on who is in the medical insurance network, who'll work on a sliding scale, etc. Our DD needed a therapist who was Christian based, so she asked church members, etc...

Good luck!

[eas11]

Thanks for everyones ideas and suggestions. She is coming home for a few days and we'll talk about it and make a plan. I know something is just not right, but I am just not sure how to go about getting her help. I think seeing a doctor would be a good first step. though. How does one go about finding a therapist? I can't imagine picking one out of the yellow pages. Would you ask a family doctor to recommend one? Tracy, thanks for the book suggestion - I am going to stop at Barnes and Noble's today to see if they have it.

Tracy's suggestion of Dr. Burns' The New Mood Therapy is excellent. There is a book (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0380810336/sr=8-1/qid=1155926542/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-4906056-3511152?ie=UTF8) as well as the workbook.
CBT is an excellent type od treatment for depression and anxiety. The objective, in very simplistic terms, is to correct types of distorted thinking....."why me?, all or nothing, etc.... If your daughter lives near a major teaching hospital she can call the psychiatry dept and ask if there is a CBT therapist available. Generally, CBT is shorter term treatment.

You can find out about mental health disorders by doing a search such as "diagnostic criteria for ____________ "For example, here is (partial) criteria for a diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder:

Generalized Anxiety Disorder Symptoms
The formal diagnosis of generalized anxiety disorder rests on these symptoms, which can be evaluated by psychiatrists and other mental health professionals.

Diagnostic Criteria for Generalized Anxiety Disorder

A. Excessive anxiety and worry (apprehensive expectation), occurring more days than not for a period of at least 6 months, about a number of events or activities (such as work or school performance).

B. The person finds it difficult to control the worry.

C. The anxiety and worry are associated with three (or more) of the following six symptoms (with at least some symptoms present for more days than not for the past 6 months). Note: Only one item is required in children.

restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge
being easily fatigued
difficulty concentrating or mind going blank
irritability
muscle tension
sleep disturbances (difficulty falling or staying asleep, or restless unsatisfying sleep)

[clairea]

The Feeling Good Handbook is a fantastic resource, as is the workbook that goes with it. I know have been told by dr's that CBT and medication alone both have about the same success rate for treating anxiety and depression, and I have seen first-hand that CBT is a very effective treatment. In many instances a combination of CBT and medication may be even more helpful, and as others have mentioned an appropriate mental health professional is more likely to be able to help determine this.

Finding a good therapist can be difficult, but is worth it. I would look for referrals from as many sources as you can -- doctors, friends, your insurance (this is expensive, any religious organization, etc. You can look on the web at things like the American Psychological Association, American Psychiatric Association (I think that is the name), whatever the group is for licensed clinical social workers, etc. Mental health groups (such as NAMI, DBSA) also may have listings. If you don't feel like a particular therapist is a good "fit", then keep looking for another, but remember that the best therapist isn't always the person that you like the most (in terms of who you would want as a friend) but the person who challenges you appropriately and helps you develop the skills you need. It took me 3 tries before finding a wonderful therapist for DS. DH found a good therapist on the first try once, but later moved and had to try a few people. Also, people tend to focus on psychologists and social workers for therapy, but don't rule out psychiatrists as some of them do focus on therapy while also prescribing and managing medication. 2 of the best therapists we have ever used have been psychiatrists.

[jmarie]

My favorite therapist thus far, was reccomended by my friend whose only contact with her was through an aquatic exercise class. She just really liked her encouraging, warm, enthusiastic ways.

You never know how you might come up with a good one, but when you do you will know because the dread of going will disappear.

Good luck!
Joyce

[mcraig13]

We first got a rec...from DH's doctor...for a new pediatrician, because the one DD had was a nut case. DH's doctor traveled all the way across town for this pediatrician for her kid so we figured that was a huge endorsement in itself.

DH had a number of questions for the pediatrician...he checked DD out and talked to her at length. DH felt good about him so we took his recommendation for a therapist. He gave us several names and told us something about each of them. All of us liked the therapist, but it was most important that DD felt comfortable with him. He did a psychological evaluation, made a diagnosis based on that, and then recommended cognitive behavioral therapy. We never did family counseling, although we probably should have.