The Start and the Diagnosis

God...that retched book...Get A Grip... with all of the "homework" was awful. It actually gave me stress and made me feel guilty.

I started therapy on October 28, 2011.
My second session was on Friday, November 4, 2011 and my third session was on Wednesday, November 9, 2011. I've been making enough progress that I requested that I go again in two weeks which would be November 23, 2011.

The therapist gave me some tools my first week which included some information for dealing with stress. I didn't like the articles and didn't find them very helpful. It directed me toward some other articles that did have some good basic ideas for handling stress. She also gave me a relaxation CD for breathing and guided imagery.

She said that I shouldn't put all of my eggs in on basket. That I should start having more friends.

I went in to the office because I was having issues with my relationship. The reality was that I was tired of being afraid.
After some talk and questions, she mentioned that I likely had generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).

After my first session, the stuff was working but I just wasn't getting relief and I didn't think that I could live like that anymore. So I went to see the doctor to try to get some medicine. After asking me some questions, he said that the thought that I probably had generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) but also some depression.

I went to the doctor on November 3, 2011. He gave me Pristiq and Xanax. I was actually able to feel clear headed. I tried doing some exercise, reaching out to friends, not calling Divya, etc. I started taking the medicine on November 3.

At first my therapist was like...I don't believe in drugs, but after seeing me for the third week and seeing that I am making progress. She said that if it helps then it is another tool for me to use and that I may have been fighting this for so long that I made need some help.

Now, I have found an amazing book called The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook 5th Edition. I found the exercises appealing and now as I read through the diagnosis, reasons and causes, it has already helped me.

The last three days, I've been having severe bouts of anxiety and have been having to take the Xanax. Now for the last two days, I've been having severe dry mouth as well. I was going to go to the doctor for another prescription because Pristiq isn't generic so I couldn't afford to take it but now, it seem that the medicine isn't working for me anyway. I go back to the doctor today.