Confused...have a question

Avatar for cassia7
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-29-2003
Confused...have a question
4
Tue, 07-26-2005 - 1:31pm

My question is about GAD. I have panic attacks and was only diagnosed as having panic, but I am a constantly worrying..about everything! If I get a headache, I automatically think I have a brain tumor, if I get a pain in my leg i think I have cancer or a blood clot. I even worry about stuff that "could happen", like over this past weekend, on our way home from Maine my daughter decided that she wanted to drive home with my mother instead of coming home with us. I automatically started thinking about how they could get into a car accident and my daughter might die.

Doesn't think sound like generalized anxiety disorder? I know you are not doctors, and I will talk to mine at my next appointment, but would love your input.

I CANT STAND THE WORRYING ANYMORE.....I just want to live a normal life.

Cassia

iVillage Member
Registered: 01-31-2005
Tue, 07-26-2005 - 2:23pm
hello cassia my name is Ana i just read your postage... Im still learning about GAD i was tol di had it like 2 years ago. it sounds like to me you do cause you sound like me.. i worry about everything. going to bed and not wakine up, going to town and be shot in a drive by shooting, going camping and getting killed, you name it i think it.(lol) But when you have your panic attacks what are the symoptoms.i dont understand why the doc says you dont. to me it sounds like maybe you didnt tell him all the symptoms.i get really weird phisical symptoms too. and they i read something about rashes or what ever and the next day i wake up with it or something simiar. not all the time but when it happend it sucks then i get to freak out and worry my self sick. Im tring to relax latly but cant its hard too. i would talk to your doctor and ask him about it so you can get a for sure answer and if he tells you know and you dont have to stay with that doc, go get a 2nd doctor and get a 2nd opp. but i think you may have it . but like you said were not doctors but when you sound like one of us we can say there a big risk that you do have it ... ana
Avatar for atober
iVillage Member
Registered: 05-20-2004
Tue, 07-26-2005 - 3:48pm

I suffer from clinical depression and GAD. I also have these irrational fears. I think that this symptom mainly belongs to the GAD but could also have something to do with depression as a sign of depression are thoughts of death (not necessarily your own). There are medications that will deal with mainly GAD but can also help with depression(not that I am saying you have depression also). I don't want to add to your worry but it is worth looking at the symptoms of each of these and see where you fit more. It definitely sounds like more than panic attacks (but I not an MD just talking from my personal experience). I know there are links to places on ivillage that have quizes you can take to see if you have GAD or depression. Hopefully one of the CLs has this info and will post for you. If not just search the web. Lots of information there as you probably already know. If you can go to your dr with a list of symptoms you found and tell him which ones you are experiencing he may be able to better diagnose you. I think most of us have a hard time explaining our feelings and sometimes are mis-diagnosed initially. Hope you find some useful information to help your doc give you the right treatment. Sorry I couldn't be more help.

Alison

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-12-2003
Tue, 07-26-2005 - 4:31pm

Cassia,
the symptoms you are describing are associated with GAD, yes. there are strict diagnostic criteria for GAD, It is diagnosed when someone spends at least 6 months worrying excessively about a number of everyday problems. People are often misdiagnosed, and perhaps your doctor thought it was more pertinent to treat your panic disorder first, and later deal with the GAD if it's still a problem. There is no shame is telling your therapist you suspect you might be suffering from GAD as well. you two can discuss the criteria and implications of the disorder, and you might open his or her eyes to things they aren't seeing.
I hope you feel comfortable enough with your therapist to tell them that. please keep us updated on how you're doing.

Mia

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Tue, 07-26-2005 - 9:03pm

Here are many links to info on anxiety. TBH, I doubt that nailing down your diagnosis will help. I have panic disorder with agoraphobia & @ times have experienced intense health fears. I never have headaches. When I have that rare one, I am convinced that I have a brain tumor or will be having a stroke. I know how awful it can be to worry.