GAD diagnosis

[Lici]

Hi, first time posting, hopefully someone can help.

So I went to a new doctor the other day (apparently he's registered with beyond blue) and he diagnosed me with GAD. The thing is I'm a bit dubious about this diagnosis as I don't excessively worry about things and have a previous diagnosis of PTSD which would fit most of my symptoms. His diagnosis consisted of asking me a few questions while I was there to see him for a shoulder issue.

I'm wondering if GAD can be diagnosed without the excessive worry and anxiety? The information that I can find on the DSM V diagnostic criteria states that the patient must have the excessive worry. The doctor has given me medication for treatment and I'm a bit nervous about starting a drug that's going to make me gain weight and be tied all the time while I'm at university (studying psychology funnily enough) and have spent a few years learning how to finally deal with things without medication. Should I ask to see a psychiatrist to get a definitive diagnosis before starting treatment? I'm really unsure what to do at the moment as I feel like the clinical psychologists and psychiatrists would have diagnosed me in the past if I had GAD.

Thanks for reading

[Lici]

Hi Paul!

I'm glad you had a good day! I don't mind you quoting me at all 😊 if it helps someone then my job is done!

I'm glad the appointment went well too. I think the fact that he's actually studied some psychology and knows one of my lecturers personally really helped make me feel better too. I'm hoping the medication will help more than the previous ones I've been on. He's made another appointment for me in two weeks time and mentioned a mental health plan as well so I know he's not just a "set and forget" gp like I've had in the past.

Thanks for the compliments, they mean a lot!

I just took a huge step for me on the forums and posted a thread in the PTSD section. Hopefully it gets accepted by the moderators so I can add the happy ending part of it! I was so nervous writing my story down though! I hope it can help others see that there can be a light at the end of the tunnel and it won't always be as bad.

Kind thoughts back!

Lici

[Lici]

I wonder, has anyone else had anxiety symptoms when starting a new medication? I was feeling so positive earlier but just picking up the packet caused me to start getting panicky.

I wonder if it's because of the negative experiences I've had with medications in the past? Or maybe it's because I really thought I'd never need medications again. It's interesting that something as simple as holding a box filled with tablets can be anxiety-provoking.

I guess it's all part of the journey. I'll either get better by taking them or I won't, I'll never know if I don't take them and either way I'll have another experience that I can use to help someone else in the future. Still, it would be nice for my heart to stop pounding now!

[Just Sara]

Hi Lici;

I read a great post you did on someone's thread then found this one. I hope you don't mind me contributing.

What I want to say is; "Trust your gut!" (Re holding the packet of med's) Professionals who treat a 'diagnosis' instead of 'specific' triggers/symptoms need to be avoided IMO. PTSD and Complex PTSD are major diagnosis' and their symptoms need to be acknowledged as part of 'that' diagnosis.

I'm not trying to put a damper on the positive vibes from chatting with your GP, but anti-psychotic med's are really heavy duty. So if you haven't experienced psychosis or have a personality disorder for instance, I'd seek a second opinion from a reputable psychiatrist if it was me.

AD's didn't work for me either when it came to anxiety, but I still take them to address my serotonin levels. Anti-anxiety med's saved my sanity because they addressed adrenaline levels that spike during anxiety/panic. I experienced psychosis in the beginning, but only due to sleep deprivation.

Your dissociation process is likely to be about avoiding mental distress 'remembered' from traumatic events. It's a natural response for vulnerable trauma victims (especially children) and becomes habitual in adulthood without early intervention. It's a post trauma response. (IMO)

This also relates to people who 'forget' their trauma. In some cases, memories return after their abuser dies for instance. It's the brain's way of protecting us from overwhelming feelings.

I'm very concerned about you Lici. PRN anti-anxiety med's work far better for anxiety/panic. Please visit my thread pinned to the PTSD and Trauma section; 'Complex PTSD - what is it and how do we cope?' and research more before committing to a medication regime that might not be suitable.

The first post and one down the page a bit provide interpretations of ptsd and c-ptsd. I think you'll find them interesting.

As for procrastination; I'm the Queen!! (Chuckling..) My 'floor-drobe' is a testament to this frustrating habit. BTW, I have complex ptsd mixed with ptsd from events over a period of more than 50 yrs. I'm in recovery which is pretty bloody amazing..

Let's talk more ok..

Caring thoughts;

Sez x

[startingnew]

Morning Lici

Just tagging this thread this morning so i can keep up with your story, is this one better to support you on rather than your intro thread? ive also read your story on the new thread you created as well and can relate alot to what youve said on that one too but will try to keep the topics separated.

[Lici]

Morning startingnew 🙂 (I know it's afternoon but it's morning for me lol) either this thread or the ptsd thread will be better than the welcome thread. I just put the welcome thread in to introduce myself really.

This thread I'll use for the GAD stuff and the PTSD one was initially to challenge myself and put my story out in public which is something I hadn't done and to show people that are earlier in their PTSD journey that it can (and will) get better. I'll be replying on both, but there's stuff in the ptsd one (as you saw) that doesn't belong in here.

sez: I'll reply to your comment separately as it will be a little longer, I just wanted you to know I'm not ignoring it!

[Lici]

Hi Sez,

I don't mind you contributing at all 😊 feel free to reply here (or in the ptsd one for more specific ptsd/trauma related stuff. We're currently talking about cbt in there)

I'm personally not someone who trusts my gut so to speak. I guess that's because my reactions to things can be very out of proportion or dissociated depending on the situation. I'll either over analyse when the situation doesn't warrant it or I'll feel nothing at all when I should feel something. Then there's times where such as my grandmother's funeral where I really just couldn't understand why everyone was upset (she was 92, to me it's like, what did people expect exactly? For her to live forever?) Their tears just seemed stupid to me (does that make sense?)

I know my dissociation is definitely an avoidance mechanism, or would have started that way, it makes sense what you say about it being habitual as an adult. I read some of your thread of c-ptsd, it got me wondering if that's what I have rather than ptsd. It would make a lot of sense given my history.

The medication is a very low dose,  the gp has stressed that I can half that if I'm too tired and I can stop if I'm still too tired after that. I'll give them a go. He called them mood stabilizers rather than atypical antipsychotics but I guess that's because the antipsychotic would have a lot of stigma associated with it.

At least I woke up with my shoulders a little more relaxed today. I've had bursitis in my left shoulder for almost a year and it hasn't been healing, my right shoulder was the problem first and that healed but it's been playing up again as well. Then I've had back issues since the incident in 2000 that I talk about in my ptsd thread. The gp says that the pain combined with bloating etc, headaches, clenching my jaw, taking an hour to fall asleep at night etc all fits in with GAD even without the memory and concentration issues that fit into PTSD. Everything he said made a lot of sense. He did mention a mental health plan though, so I'll ask to see a clinical psychologist through it (that way I can get confirmation of diagnosis).

Ugh I hate my procrastination and messiness! If it helps though apparently highly intelligent people are messy and procrastinate a lot? Lol I find all the reasons that I'm a genius on Facebook haha.

Anyway, I hope you're having a good day! I'll check out your thread a bit more, I just find that I feel like I need to read all of the longer threads and I don't have time!

[Lici]

Well the medication definitely makes me tired! I ended up sleeping most of the day away! I have delayed sleep phase disorder as well so when I say day I mostly mean I slept from 2-6 or something after waking up at 11:30/12.

I think I'll take it a lot earlier tonight. Considering I don't usually get to sleep until between 3 and 4am maybe taking it earlier can help me get to sleep earlier. I'll try the full dose again tonight and then if I'm still too tired tomorrow I'll cut it in half.

I know it's because of the medication but I'm still so annoyed with myself for sleeping. I have 3 or 4 lectures to watch and I really needed to do that today instead of sleep. Tomorrow I have family commitments so I won't have time to watch lectures which leaves me Monday and then Tuesday is when more lectures will come up.

I've got an assignment I need to start as well that's due on the 24th of may, I just remembered that while writing. Sigh. I can't wait until June when exams are done with and I get a decent break. I've felt so burnt out with study this year and now with this medication and GAD diagnosis, it's all really overwhelming sometimes.

I wish I had chosen to do one major instead of two. But I can never do things the easy way, so chose both creative writing and psychology because they both interested me. It's funny because at the same time as I wish I had less work to do, I also kind of regret not accepting the offer to enter the advanced program for high achievers. It would have been more work, but it might have given me an edge to get into honours. Guess the grass is always greener and all that.

Anyway, I guess I'll go try to watch a lecture now. Hopefully I'll have the motivation to watch it for more than two minutes.

[Chloe_M]

Hi Lici,

I don't think it's a double appt, and I'm not sure whether my GP specialises in MH so I guess I'll find out.

what are you up to tonight? My entire existence hurts I was at Relay for Life this weekend so did a lot of walking and a lot of running haha

how was your weekend?

Hugs xox

chloe 🤗

[Lici]

Hi Chloe!

Hopefully your gp is a good one! A double appointment is good if you need to talk about your mental health history as they can spend a little more time with you. Hopefully if it's not a double appointment you can make one and see him again like I did.

Tonight my boyfriend's mum is over from Victoria so we're sitting eating ice-cream while watching some tv. We took her for a walk in one of the national parks today and my boyfriend and I took bird pictures. Unfortunately I can't use my usual lens as it's too heavy for my shoulders so I had to use my boyfriend's one. His lens is so frustrating! It doesn't focus as well as what mine does so I didn't get a lot of pictures. ☹ I miss my lens!

I used to run competitively in high school, it's really freeing isn't it? I used to love how my mind would go blank when all I had to concentrate on was my breathing and my pace and the feeling of the wind in my hair. Do you feel that way when running as well?

Hugs back xxx

Lici

[Chloe_M]

Heya

Walking in national parks can be very relaxing, did you feel relaxed?

I don't find running freeing all that much, but I find dancing like that. I had to focus on making sure I was running properly, i have problems with my knees and they can be injured easily by running. I don't run much, but finding a cure for cancer is very important to me, so I ran as much as I could.

Have a good day Lici xx

chloe 🤗