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 startingnew 😊

Is it weird that I'm freaking out a little over not freaking out over exams? I keep wondering if the lack of anxiety is going to affect my grades in a negative way because I'm not studying as much as what I did last year. Like I made a quizlet but it was mostly for other people to use because I've gotten resources from them and felt bad not giving something back. I've done a couple of quizlets a day and just use the test option to test my knowledge from other people's quizlets because I figure while it's the same information that I've written, it's written in a different way so I need the knowledge to get the questions right. Last year I would do other people's quizlets almost all day long for a week straight leading up to exams. This year I'm doing 2 or so but I feel a bit blazè about exams. Maybe it's confidence and I'm just so not used to having confidence in myself about anything that it's freaking me out? Then I wonder if my confidence is misplaced and I'm shooting myself in the foot because of it? It's weird. I'm obviously anxious reading all of this as I'm typing it, but I'm just not feeling the "omg omg I have exams tomorrow and Tuesday, have I studied enough? What if I fail? Etc etc" that I usually would. I guess I feel like that part of myself was a necessary part of studying.

Has anyone else experienced this as their anxiety has started to get better? That a part of you is missing and you even somewhat miss it a little? Does anything that I'm saying even make sense? Lol

Lici

[Chloe_M]

Hi Lici

Sorry that i haven't been around. I have been very busy and also, surprisingly, happy (a little).

I am so glad you feel that your anxiety is getting better. Mine however is getting worse. I'm about to post something on my thread about that.

xx Chloe

[Lici]

Hey Chloe,

It's fine that you haven't been around, I haven't really been around much myself. I'm glad to hear that you're happy a little! I'll head over to your thread to read the rest.

Hugs

Lici

[startingnew]

Hello Lici

Im abit short on words atm but what you said makes sense. I had a convo about feeling like something is missing when we are going well. We get so caught up in our mh that we forget to take a step back breathe and realise is not wrong but more a sign of healing. When weve been a certain way for such a long time it can make us question whats happening and also need to learn to live with the 'new' you does that make sense?

[Lici]

Hi startingnew,

That definitely makes sense. I guess we just get used to living with MI that it becomes part of who we are so part of getting better is building a new identity that doesn't involve the MI. It's certainly taking some getting used to that's for sure!

I hope you're having a good day 😊

Lici

[startingnew]

Hey Lici

Yeah of course, we are always changing and learning. The joys of life huh

[Lici]

Hi startingnew,

Indeed, life is full of lessons that's for sure.

Well my last exam was today. It was way easier than I was expecting! It almost seemed too easy! It feels weird not having anything to study for, but my boyfriend and I go away for a week on the 8th so I'm looking forward to that!

That was the second to last exam of my degree too, I only have one topic with an exam next semester. It's a bit mind blowing, I never would have thought even five years ago that I'd be able to go to uni and do well and make it to the end of it!

[startingnew]

Wow Lici that is really great! Well done!

I hope you get the marks your after or even better

[Lici]

Hi startingnew,

I'm hoping I get the marks I want too! I had a bit of a let down with the marks I got back for my English essay which I used my ptsd story for. I only got 70% which still isn't a bad mark, but after the 90% I got for the first English assignment I was kind of hoping for a distinction so I would have gotten my first high distinction overall. Oh well, I'm still going to get a distinction overall but it would have been nice to see that HD on my results. I'm hoping to get one HD overall for one of my psyc topics. I just want it there so it proves to myself that I'm capable of getting that mark.

How are things with you? I hope things are going well!

Lici

[startingnew]

hi Lici

sorry i havent been here that much lately. ive been struggling quite alot.

70% with high distinctions is amazing! you should be proud of those marks!

how have you been?