Anxiety

There will always be people who self-diagnose, no matter what the condition. Some may be genuine, others not so much.

I'm one of the ones with a diagnosis from a doctor - I have generalised anxiety disorder and also suffer from panic attacks.

Mine is likely linked to my autism.

There's worry ,which is from thinking and anxiety which is kind of a a body response and is subconscious. So they are different, and both normal. Then there's anxiety disorder which people sometimes are diagnosed with , where anxiety takes over and becomes debilitating.

I often have anxiety.

A certain amount of anxiety is healthy. It helps one be caution.

Great post, and absolutely true.

I do think there are people who self-diagnose with anxiety because they expect life to be relaxed and easy all the time, and when it's not, they feel like something is properly wrong. I remember reading an article (can't remember where, but it was a mainstream newspaper) which suggested that part of the problem is that we've made childhood too "nice", and kids are being sheltered from anything unpleasant - it leads to adults who have no framework for handling any kind of difficulty

DS has separation anxiety and anxiety both totally different, diagnosed years apart and treated different. His separation anxiety is well under control and his general anxiety is under control 80% of the time but he has to do the work to keep it that way

If you are curious, and you mentioned the DSM, watch Dr James Davies explain the origin and evolution of the DSM.
Dr James Davies: The Origins of the DSM

It is absolutely fascinating, and also horrifying. We are no where near sceptical enough when it comes to psychiatry and mental health and the influence of the pharmaceutical companies.

Really, watch it!

I'm diagnosed. Generalised anxiety, panic disorder, agoraphobia.

The problem is that people so often use the word "anxiety" when they really just mean "worry" - which means people end up misunderstanding actual anxiety and what it actually is, and the effects. Now people think that those with anxiety are simply experiencing the same "worry" they feel about things.

Worry and anxiety feel completely different. They are completely different. Anxiety can be nothing to do witubbeing worried. I get worried about some situations. Other situations can trigger anxiety. Being worried about a situation won't necessarily trigger anxiety for me. Similarly, being anxious about a situation does not mean I have ever been the least bit worried about it.

Panic disorder is even more nonsensical. Panic attacks popping out of no where, at random times. We've figured out one trigger for me is just being tired, so I can have a panic attack all snuggled and happy in bed after having a lovely stress free day. No worries. Not even anxiety. But boom, panic attack, because my brain wiring is faulty I suppose.

Actual anxiety disorders, as mental illness, is so, so far from anything like "worry". It would be nice if people would stop using the two as synonymous for a start, I feel.

I think I know what you mean. People use anxiety to describe being anxious or worried in normal circumstances - there are situations where worry is a normal reaction and indeed not worrying would be strange. Having worries of any kind does not constitute having anxiety.

When someone says I have anxiety, I tend to interpret that meaning as a medical diagnosis rather than just I am anxious or worried about x/y, because it is a broader statement. But I am aware people often self-diagnose so perhaps haven’t had it confirmed medically. I was diagnosed with GAD and panic disorder about 20 years ago (back when you could get a GP appointment!)

Yes, lots of people suffer from anxiety. You can be considered to have a MH issue without an anxiety disorder diagnosis.

If you don't struggle with your MH, well done you. But many people do.

If you want to understand when normal anxiety becomes a mental health issue (rather than just look on other people in judgement) this is a basic bit of info
https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/anxiety-and-panic-attacks/about-anxiety/