GAD diagnosis

[ElifAriadne]

I have been recently diagnosed with GAD. I didn't actually know what this was until I did some research after being diagnosed and realised it perfectly describes the terror I have been living in for the last 10 months, and to a lesser extent the anxiety I have experienced over the last 10 years. I thought I just suffered from a specific phobia, but it does make sense as there are also several other triggers to my anxiety and panic attacks. I also have phobias/depression, which are tied in with the generalised anxiety. It is horrible. I don't know how to go about this: do I tell my close friends, my work, etc? It really makes every day things unbearable for me and what gave me the courage to go to a GP about how I was feeling was the depression and suicidal thoughts that I have been having as a result, which have developed over the past few months. I have panic attacks at least once a day, they are triggered so easily, even by just consuming, intrusive, racing thoughts in my mind. I am starting treatment with a psychologist next week, so I will see how that goes. I just want to know how to deal with this constant anxiety that is now combined with depression, it is so horrible I would not wish this upon anyone. I get so anxious and depressed sometimes as I feel like I will never be free from this. I make life so much harder for my loved ones, I just want to be back to normal again.

[Doolhof]

Hi ElifAriadne,

Welcome to the community here. Thanks for sharing your story with us. I am sure there are many people here who have experienced something similar to you. I acknowledge that having been given a diagnosis for conditions can be both concerning and liberating!

Researching, asking questions and seeking out people with similar issues may help you to better understand what you are experiencing and help you find ways to cope.

If you have a partner, have you told them about the diagnosis from the Dr? Maybe tell one or two friends and judge their reaction. Not all people understand mental health issues unfortunately.

Regarding work, do you know of anyone else there who has disclosed a mental health issue? If so, how have they been received and accepted?

Maybe see if you can have a look at a work contract if you have one and see what the company policy is around mental health.

You might also like to call the Beyond Blue support line on 1300 22 4636. The support people may have some clearer ideas and strategies for you.

Cheers for now from Dools

[Guest_342]

Dear ElifAriadne,

Like doolof, I imagine having a diagnosis and information about your condition must feeling empowering to an extent, but may also throw up lots of uncertainty. Big congratulations for having the courage to visit your doctor.

I think many of us are just wired in a particular way to make us more prone to feeling anxious. But I can tell you from experience that it can get better than you are feeling right now. For me it has been a long journey, and I needed help from my doctor initially to get those vicious cycles of worry under control to give me space in my mind to actually use the tools that my psycologist and support group offered. I find I occasionally have slight relapses eg an anxious day or so - and this I find can be triggered by stress or bad diet in my case - but I’m finding that i bounce back a lot quicker these days. I don’t know that what I’m saying is helpful for you, but I suppose my message is that it takes time and can be a long term task of taking good care of you body and mind with the assistance when needed from professionals. There is no shame in that - sooooo many people experience this, including a great number of people in professional jobs - lawyers, doctors, etc.

It is completely your choice as to whether you tell your friends or work colleagues. I personally have found comfort and support in telling a small number of people close to me - eg my parents - about my struggles, if anything to allow them to understand why I act the way I do sometimes and that I am not just being a difficult person for the sake of it. But you know what, I don’t think they believed I was being difficult and they seem to feel closer to me now that they feel they can lend an ear in times of need.

Workplaces nowadays I think are very in tune to mental health issues in the workplace. And many offer employee assistance programs (EAP) - does your work have one you could use? They are confidential and your colleagues don’t need to know you’re using their services. Some also allow employees’ family members to access support. If you think your direct manager won’t understand, maybe there is another team member who you could confide in?

Wishing you all the best 🙂