Don’t Worry=Be Happy? (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, GAD)

I'm addicted to Sam Vaknin!

In 2020 my narcissistic husband began to have “anxiety attacks” with shortness of breath. Because we had separated in July of that year, he finally saw a therapist a few times. He convinced the therapist that he was suffering from anxiety due to the separation and he was diagnosed with situational anxiety disorder. He told me I was the cause and cure of all his problems. I moved back in with him in November 2021. Three months later he suddenly died from heart failure. He had a genetic defect - a bicuspid aortic valve. Had he seen a doctor or had he been advised to get his physical health checked first, he might still be here.

There's a phrase I like in Spanish "ocuparse en vez de preocuparse", to occupy oneself (attend to business) instead of preoccupying oneself.

It is hellish to have an anxiety disorder with thoughts that go around and around and around in a negative spiral. I have lived this way for many years. I stop the spiral by thanking my fears for trying to protect me. I imagine the worst case scenario, the reality of situation, and best case scenario to calm down. 😂 I accept that I have an overactive nervous system and that I am wired differently.

How worrisome is it to, even not being a psychologist or student, every day looking forward to another video…?

Professor, you get a style in your videos, you become more creative. We are happy to see you happy and… you will worry less and less. You already started!

I am from the Bible Belt. I was always told, if you worry, you are committing a sin. I don't think this is true, (as of today) but I have to say, in the past, it made worrying a whole lot more worrisome, as I'm sure you could imagine.

I’m unable to sleep while trying to cope with worrying due to college courses, completing financial aid paperwork for school. I am newly divorced as of this month and single parenting is hard . Trying so hard to control this feeling of being overwhelmed while searching for solutions .😣 Professor Vaknin , thank you for this video .

Life begins where fear ends...Osho

This is a really good explanation 👏

I needed this.❤ Don't worry be happy.

Thank you, again. You helped me to face my fear and act in on it.

Dear Professor Sam Vaknin , I'd just want you to know that first of all your videos are really helpfull and with the understanding comes hope . Second of all I'm really happy to watch and listen to you . Those videos give me a sense of peace . Happened even to me that I fell asleep while watching very late at night 😅 . I thank You for everything . P.s. Right now I'm only 3 days separated from a very dangerous psychopatic malignant narcissist .Actually I'm not sure if he's psychopatic or sociopath but sadistic for sure .I also suffer from social phobia and panic attacks . But I know that if I manage to keep him away from me I'll be fine and my life will be just great compared to what I had in recent years .

Thank you so much

I am an American who lives in California. Whenever I'm in a Walmart or some sort of large store I prepare myself for a panic attack. People smashed underneath fluorescent light in lines to purchase things. Rude people nice people it doesn't matter when there's a huge group of people. I would debate to say that America makes things more difficult than it needs to therefore the majority of Americans have panic disorder or some sort of thing like it manifest often because there's better ways to exist then we do. When I'm in a Walmart I also have lapses is a memory where I forget what I need or maybe I decide I don't want it at all because the way I have to go into this ridiculous building to get the thing is so stressful to be trapped in a line with a bunch of unpleasant individuals (I perceive at least that they are unpleasant) under fluorescent lights it's more horrifying than going without the thing I need. America is created to be a corporatist dream get everything you want right now the way you want it and if you don't have a fit. I would say people in America have a real reason to worry and stress because life here has become almost too much of a situation where they are catered to therefore societies filled with a bunch of spoiled brats and I can't imagine what is going to happen when things do collapse it's going to be an absolute nightmare if that was to happen far worse than it needs to be because the majority of people are not level-headed. All of those things make me think I'd rather go to a farmers market outside to shop and my decision is to try to do things that do not stress me although this is not always possible here.

😊 I worry fearless sometimes, feeling happy about that 😊 Greetings from Germany 😊 Thank you for your very interesting, helping and worthful videos !!!!

My narcissistic ex-wife was diagnosed with adhd and GAD. She is a nightmare Thx mr Vaknin, this was as I expected. Keep up your significant contribution to all of us going through the struggle trying to get out of a relationship we let go on for all too long.

Anxiety is a HELL.

I use strategies to manage GAD, daily. Exercise, routines ,proper sleep and avoiding toxic people and environments is helpful.

WOOOOOO