Hi Chelsea and welcome. I too struggled with the idea of getting diagnosed with a mental illness and was also hesitant. I avoided going to the doctors, and even when my parents took me I refused to get help on it. I was worried about them being worried about me. Anxiety can cause us to worry about worrying and we therefore worry how others see us because of it. But I decided that I couldn't take it anymore and go help. I suggest you go back to your GP (or a new doctor if you prefer) and just be honest with them. When I was officially diagnosed with GAD I told them on my first appointment that I was so apprehensive of coming because I was knew being diagnosed made if official and it would therefore be real to me. But I got so unwell that I didn't care anymore, I just wanted the anxiety to stop taking over my life. I don't want anxiety ruling your life Chelsea as no one suffering with it would ever wish it upon anyone else. You don't have to tell anyone but your doctor your anxiety issues. I didn't when I was first diagnosed. I waited till I was getting better before I told friends. You don't have to tell anyone you are not comfortable telling. I don't tell my boss at work as I am not comfortable, but I am comfortable talking to my new friend I met at the gym (I do down play it as I don't want to tell the whole story). But who you tell or don't tell is completely up to you. As for the stigma, yes it is still there, but it is reducing more and more as people are getting educated. One in 4 will experience mental health issues at some point in their life (some diagnosis are not lifelong but more than a short phase). There is nothing to be ashamed of by having an anxiety issue. It is complicated what causes anxiety but genetics, environment and brain chemistry have a part to play. You can't help it if you eyes are brown just as much as you can't help having anxiety.
Take home message. Go back to see a doctor and tell them your concerns. Tell them you have some issues with anxiety but you also struggle with the concept of deal with it too. It is ok to find it hard, sometimes it takes a while to settle in (same with physical illness). Just be honest as the doctors will be able to better help you and it will help you in your recovery
Hopes this helps and please keep us posted and join in on the forums for more advise and support
