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]

Morning Chloe 😊

I definitely find walking in national parks and conservation parks relaxing! Since I started doing photography a year or so ago I find that I look at nature differently now. I look up in the trees more, I look down on the ground more and I really have a greater appreciation for how beautiful our landscapes are! Next time you're out walking in nature, have a look at the ground (make sure you still watch where you're walking though, I slipped over once because I forgot to! 😂). This time of year is great for different types of mushrooms and you'd be amazed at how many different types there are!

It's the same with birds, did you know there's over 900 species of birds in Australia? It's amazing to see all the different types once you start really paying attention.

I had to stop running because of knee injuries, so I understand what you mean there! I'm glad you get that feeling with dancing though!

I hope you have a great day too Chloe! *hugs*

Lici

[Lici]

I wonder if anyone else with anxiety has delayed sleep phase disorder like me? I'm pretty sure there would be but a lot of people go undiagnosed. I'm wondering if there's anyone on here that has been diagnosed with dspd though and does bright light therapy by sitting outside for an hour when they wake up? If there is, how do you get your bright light on wintery overcast mornings?

This medication is really helping me fall asleep quicker at night, so last night I decided to take it at 10:30pm which is usually when I'm wide awake. I was in bed and asleep by midnight and awake by 9! I haven't slept at those times since a teenager! I've decided to try and do my bright light therapy in the mornings and see if I can change my circadian rhythm to get me sleeping at those times on a regular basis. It's really hard when it's cold and windy and there's not much sun though!

[Just Sara]

Hi Lici;

Just checking in on you. Looks like you're going great guns! 🙂

One thought; it seems you're running two threads at the same time.. just like doing a double degree! What's with that?! I mean, cruel and unusual punishment don't you think? lol

All jokes aside though, Uni rep's would be more than happy to give you extra time for assignments or allow you to put one (degree) on hiatus till you can handle things better. MH issues can ultimately affect outcomes and grades as you know. Is it worth pushing yourself so hard at this time?

Keep up the great work ok!

Sez x

[Lici]

Hi sez,

Yeah the ptsd thread I put up to put my story out there and to show that there's a light at the end of the tunnel so to speak. This one is for the GAD stuff which is why I initially joined the forum, I just thought that the other may help someone who is where I was at before all the therapy to do with my PTSD. I also find that having two threads helps me know where the conversation is at. In the ptsd one I'm sharing stuff about the psychological theory behind stuff, in this one I'm more sharing thoughts related to anxiety and more general conversation (does that make sense?)

I'm not actually doing a double degree, I'm doing an arts degree with a double major, so unfortunately I can't just defer one and do the other. I've got my disability access plan in place though and have since my first year, I knew there was a possibility that the pressure would trigger my depression etc so I made sure I had the support in place. I've only had to get an extension once this semester so I'm doing pretty good so far!

Luckily my MH issues haven't affected my grades so far and I'm in the last year of my bachelor's so I should be able to keep it up for the rest of the year. I've never pushed myself hard to do anything before and have always given up half way through when things got difficult. I need to push myself for this because I need to prove to myself I can do it. I think if I gave up now, it would be worse for my MH than if I stick it out and keep surprising myself with credits, distinctions and high distinctions. Does that make sense?

Hope your day is going well!

I'm kind of doing damage control because my bluntness came out with a friend who has MH issues and I made her cry. I feel like crap now because I didn't mean to and was only trying to help. Sigh, I'm much better with text than words, I can think about what I say and how I say it a lot more.

Anyway, thanks for your concern sez, it really means a lot! Xx

Kind regards,

Lici

[startingnew]

Hi Lici
im just popping in to see how you are today?


Thanks for the update remeds too. Taking them earlier seemed to be a really good idea!


I havent been diagnosed with DSPD so had to have a look at what it actually is. It sounds rather interesting. Have you spoken to a sleep specialist to see if they have any suggestions at all, esp in the winter months when its colder?

Keep up the great work with your studies. Your sounding like your doing an amazing job!

[Lici]

Hi startingnew 🙂

DPSD comes down to basically my 'body clock' runs later than everyone else's naturally.

I've seen a sleep doctor and actually had the opportunity to speak to the top researcher for dspd at the uni (he's one of my lecturers). I didn't ask him about the bright light therapy during winter though so I might send him an email to ask. I've decided to do my honours on DSPD next year, who knows, I might even be able to run an experiment on myself! 😂

Thanks 😊 I'm trying really hard with my studies and am really proud of how far I've come.

I'm doing ok thanks 😊 I got nothing done today though because I went to see my friend to make sure she was ok. She's not in a place to admit that there's a problem or that she could benefit from professional help yet. I find it really hard to know what to do or say because I'm a proactive person and have all this knowledge and experience with my own depression and other MH issues and know I could help her if she'd just be willing to listen. She just shuts down though and only hears what she wants out of anything I say.

I know it's the depression talking and I know why she only picks certain things out of what I say. But I just don't know how to get past that wall. I guess that's why I'm studying psychology, so I can learn how. It's just so frustrating to know that a friend is in pain, know why they're in pain, know what can help stop them from feeling that way... and still not be able to do anything about it. I just hope she might think about some of the things we spoke about when her mind quietens down a little.

anyway, enough about me, how are you doing? Did you have a good day?

Lici

[Lici]

Well today is going to be interesting. Last night I forgot I needed to write up a draft for my creative writing class and ended up taking my medication later than what I wanted to. The good news is I got a full draft of my assignment done. The bad news is I'm too tired to drive so I have to get my boyfriend to drop me off and my best friend to pick me up from uni. Hopefully I'll be able to stay awake in class!

I'm a little anxious as my draft is about my PTSD experience and a little like what I wrote in my PTSD thread but longer/ more detailed, and our workshop today is getting other classmates to read our draft and make comments on it! It's one thing to put my story out there on an anonymous forum, quite another to have people reading it face to face! It would be easy for me to just not go today and use my disability access plan and medication as an excuse. I'm tempted to do it, which is why I'm going to go. I won't let myself take the easy way out! My hands are shaking so much right now though. What if they judge me? Even worse, what if they feel pity and I upset them and make them uncomfortable reading about my life? I guess the doctor was right with the worry part after all!

I hope everyone has a good day!

Lici

[startingnew]

Hi Lici just a quick msg for now before i need to head to an appt.

With writing your experience, only write and share what your comfortable with. theres no pressure to share all of your story ok. take a few breaths before speaking. youve got this!

[Lici]

Hi startingnew,

thanks for your reply! Your words of encouragement really helps.

Luckily I'm not speaking, we're just reading each other's drafts. If it was getting up and giving an oral reading, I'd be using my DAP and not going. Public speaking is a huge source of anxiety with me! It's a bit like if I'm going to be really late to a lecture, I just won't go, the thought of everyone turning around and looking at me makes me feel nauseous!

Good luck with your appointment!

Lici

[Just Sara]

Kudos for taking the plunge Lici;

You're certainly doing the doing for sure; well done woman!

Ah.. double major. Sorry, my mistake. It's still a haul, but you know this and have systems in place; mighty, mighty..

Hope all goes well today. I'm positive your work will open a few eyes, (and doors) but for all the right reasons. People need to know 'we're' out there suffering and recovering. (Not to mention your great writing style - beginning, middle and end. Joke btw)

And.. you're not procrastinating!

🙂

Take care;

Sez x