"This post may contain affiliate links. Check my disclosure policy for more information"
So it’s not the best picture but it honestly tells a million words. This is my GAD-7 graph I took today at the end of my final CBT appointment.
For those that don’t know I have generalised anxiety disorder…. I worry about things that I have no control over. Silly things. I overthink things even feel I can mind-read but I just can’t help it.
Or rather I couldn’t then help it…
these scores are clearly telling me now I can cope!!!! They’re not gone… I’m not sure if they ever will completely disappear from my head I mean I’ve had them since I was a small child but at 32 years of age and after 7 months of cognitive behavioural therapy I am in recovery!!
My job.
Work has the worse impact on my mental health it really does. I know I need to get out of there and I’m on my way to doing so but that in itself is going to take a while for me to do as it would everyone I imagine having had the security of being employed for over 15 years.
I have things in mind, I have wheels in motion which is far more than I had 6 months ago which clearly shows in my results.
I don’t believe though that there’s been just one thing that’s helped me with my GAD. It’s a combination of a number of things;
- resorting to books (specifically audio books by Audible. More info on what books I’ve been listening too can be found here)
- turning my mobile notifications off on certain social media
- not only changing my thought process (which I still now find really hard) but more so being able to recognise what my worries are; hypothetical or a current problem
- creating to do lists
- recognising the things I DO achieve in a day and not what I DON’T achieve
- problem solving
- and one of the last things I learnt in mindfulness.
I am also still on my tablets. I’ve been on a few different types but feel the sertraline I’m on now are those that I feel are helping me more with my stress levels rather than my anxiety.
I am so happy to have referred myself to have CBT though it really gave me a kick up the bum and made me realise how I’m feeling is a thing. It’s not just me ‘being silly’ it’s a mental illness!
If you too can relate or my worries sound so familiar; here are some links to articles, videos and other counselling resources, that you might find helpful:
Be Mindful – Stress reduction and cognitive therapy courses
No Comments