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]

Hey startingnew,

It's not so much that I haven't gotten into honours, just that I didn't make the cutoff for guaranteed entry. Because it's a competitive course, they have a cutoff for internal students that gives them guaranteed entry and if you don't get that gpa, then you compete with everyone else. I'll know for sure either the week of the 17th of December or sometime in January. If I don't get in, then I'll do the master's of social work.

Sorry to hear that things have been tough! Hibernating and taking some time out etc is perfectly natural and warranted. Don't feel like you need to check in here if you're not feeling up to talking xxx

Reading and photography has been so relaxing! I've been out every day this week with my camera to get photos of sunset. My boyfriend and I even decided to make a Facebook page for our photography and are considering selling prints. So far we've had a good reaction, so here's hoping we can make some money out of it eventually!

Hugs, I hope things look up for you soon xxx

Lici

[startingnew]

hi Lici

ah i see, i do hope you get in . my fingers are crossed for you.

wow that would be cool , i think you should go ahead with your fb page and selling prints. from your avatar pic your really talented at it all!

Thanks, tomorrows a big day with the surgeon so i might not be online te next 2 days depending on how draining it will be

[Lici]

Hey startingnew,

Good luck with the surgeon! I hope things go well xxx

We haven't been putting up bird photos on our fb page, we've been concentrating on landscapes and mostly sunset pictures. I'll see if any of them are small enough to be able to put up as my picture on here. There's been some amazing sunsets here the past week.

Hugs, I'll keep you in my thoughts for tomorrow!

Lici

[startingnew]

Hi Lici

im sure all your pictures look lovely, you have a good eye for it! hoping the past few days have gone ok for you.

xoxo

[Lici]

Hey startingnew,

Sorry it's taken me so long to check in! I've been super busy building a website for our photography and then have been doing the usual Christmas stuff etc.

Hope you're doing well xx if I don't check in for a while it's not because of anything bad, just Christmas related stuff lol

Hugs xxx

Lici