Why does anxiety make me so impatient?

One of my biggest struggles as a GAD girl is a constant need to act RIGHT NOW.

In other words, if something causes me a bit of worry, I cannot think of anything else until the worry is resolved. Most of the time the cause of worry is very inconsequential, but because my mind immediately goes to the worst case scenario and obsesses over it, it causes me to want to get rid of the anxiety ASAP.

I first remember experiencing this when I was about 13. I lived about 30 minutes from the nearest shopping center at the time, and had been to a department store earlier in the day with some family friends. I saw a dress and shoes that I liked, but I didn't have my allowance money with me at the time. When I got home that night, I started panicking to my mother. I told her I wanted to get the dress and shoes, and we had to go back tonight, otherwise they would be gone. At least, that's how it was in my mind. Who knows how many size M of the dress they had in stock, how many size 7s of the shoes. All that ran through my mind is "What if it is gone next time I go to the store? What if I never find a dress and shoes I like that much ever again?"

It is embarrassing to think about how upset I got over the fear of not being able to get a dress I loved. However my brain's default setting is still "Resolve now", the circumstances are just different now.

For example, if my car's check engine light goes on, I immediately start thinking about the most expensive fix my car could possibly need. Then I start to think about how that will affect me monetarily, etc. I start to think about having to cancel vacations we haven't even started planning yet.

Strangely enough, when those worst case scenarios HAVE occurred, I have always been able to deal with them. They never ended my world.

And that is what you must consider when you find yourself dwelling over an uncertain situation and worst-case scenariolizing. Realize that, no matter what happens, you will make it through. The sun will rise the next day. 5 years from now - heck, maybe 5 minutes from now - whatever you were worried about happening, even if it does happen - probably won't matter anymore. In fact, you will find yourself wondering why you were so worried about it to begin with.

Never be ashamed of how you feel. Try to recognize when this pattern is occurring for you. Realize that the worst case scenario is very unlikely. There are plenty of other things that could occur. Ask yourself it it will matter 5 years from now. And, remind yourself that you are strong enough to make it through whatever happens to you. If you still don't feel calm, force yourself out of your head by going and doing something that requires your attention.

If you find yourself unable to distract yourself in any circumstance, consider seeing your family doctor or a psychiatrist who can determine if medication may be right for you. I do take medication, but I still do have to control my thoughts on a daily basis - medication pretty much just takes the edge off in my case.

So what ever happened in my two seemingly "end of the world" situations? In the dress case, it was still there the next day. In the instance of my car, the light was only on because of an electrical glitch that was resolved for a whopping $0.