Have you been diagnosed with anxiety

[Noidea2114]

On MN I read a lot of posters where they state that they have anxiety. If you suffer from anxiety has it been diagnosed by a Doctor or you just
feel anxious.

[isabellerossignol]

Yes, I have been diagnosed. It is well controlled now with medication but when it was out of control I could barely function, I was just a quivering wreck really, a shell of a person.

[omg35]

Mine was diagnosed but I knew I had it before then. It's not normal to worry on the scale and about the things I was worried about

[macaroniinapot]

Yes, GAD when I was 23 ish. Why do you ask OP?

[NoemiaElara]

I have been diagnosed by a dr. But not everyone who has anxiety has been diagnosed yet (or ever). Just like not everyone who has cancer has been diagnosed.

[macaroniinapot]

I would agree, it was debilitating. Not sleeping properly, not eating at all for days at a time, completely obsessive rumination and checking rituals.

It's not a case of feeling a bit anxious, which is a totally normal human feeling.

[Batfinklestein]

I’ve also had GAD. My anxiety issues were managed at the time by counselling and CBT, and losing a total head fuck of a boyfriend!
However, I don’t think I’ll ever lose it completely. I still struggle to cope with situations which are out of my control.

I think a lot of people do self diagnose themselves with anxiety.

[Noidea2114]

My Dh is starting to feel anxious about everything, but when I suggest he speaks to his Gp he tells me everyone is like that and doesn't need to see the doctor.

[amusedtodeath1]

Yes, I gave a PTSD and anxiety diagnosis.

[Brokensunrise]

It’s not normal to feel anxious about everything, no. It’s normal to feel a bit anxious about some situations every now and again, but not that it has a significant impact on your life or if it happens every day.

Does he not want to go to the GP? I imagine men find it harder to admit to as well. But there’s no shame in it.

[Neotraditional]

Yes, I was diagnosed with GAD nearly 10 years ago. I take medication which helps but I find it never goes away, you just become adept at dealing with it.

I don’t believe everyone has it at all, some people may feel anxious about particular issues/situations but that’s not the same as living with an anxiety disorder - that takes over your whole life.

[Littlepond]

Yup, anxiety and depression. It’s in black and white on my medical notes and I have meds for it.

[SaltyLou]

Yes but it is part of another diagnosis which has many symptoms and presentations. Called Borderline PD. Considered to be linked to suffering complex trauma

[WindsorBlues]

I was diagnosed with GAD three years ago. Prescription medication is available to me if I want it but due to past addiction issues I choose to manage instead with meditation, avoiding the news, avoiding social media, having regular weekend breaks from my phone and St John's Wort when I'm feeling particularly low.

I know this doesn't work for everyone but It works for me.

[Gingaaarghpussy]

Yes. General anxiety disorder. Along with social anxiety and agoraphobia. I take tablets.

[Thighdentitycrisis]

Yes, anxiety and depression. More anxious than depressed but I take AD’s.

It doesn’t manifest in checking rituals for me, but I haves raft of symptoms which fluctuate, but it’s always there

[Thecathouse]

Yes I had it diagnosed

There’s a difference between an anxiety disorder and feeling anxious. Anxiety becomes a disorder when it limits and restricts your ability to live a normal life (think panic attacks if you go to public places, not wanting to leave the house, worries that stop you doing things with the kids or working)

Everyone has periods of anxiety or things that cause a small amount of anxious feelings, the different is that most people can carry on and it doesn’t stop them living life.

If you think it’s causing problems for your partner it’s definitely worth a talk with the GP, even if he is just going through a period of higher anxiety levels as opposed to having an anxiety disorder, they will be able to suggest coping strategies, he isn’t just going to be medicated if it’s not warranted

[Tillygetsit]

Yes I had a diagnosis of anxiety depression and ptsd. The ptsd has been sorted with emdr but as Im currently breastfeeding Im not on meds.
I do have telephone cbt but its about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

[Thecathouse]

You can take sertraline if you are breastfeeding. I am and there have been no effects on the baby who is now 16 months. I have been taking it since she was 12 weeks. Might be worth talking to your doctor about

[RosieLemonade]

I have been. I don’t take my medicine though. I have obsessive thoughts that as I have DD that should be enough for me to be ok and if I do take it won’t be a good mother.

[Willowcat77]

I was diagnosed with GAD, and for a while Panic Disorder. This was the worst time of my life, complete mental breakdown. Had to be taught how to breath again by a respiratory physiotherapist because I was convinced that I couldn't breathe! GP prescribed benzos and z drugs, which made everything much worse. I'm always scared the Panic Disorder is going to come back. I also have a formal diagnosis of ASD, and was told that anxiety disorders are very common with this.