Dissociative Anxiety Disorder?????

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Dissociative Anxiety Disorder?????
8
Mon, 02-13-2006 - 4:17pm

Has anyone ever heard of this?

I went to family practice today to get a refill on xanax since I don't see the psychiatrist until the 1st. The dr I spoke with, really nice guy, an MD for 20years, appeared to be civilian, asked me what was going on. I told him what I'd been dx with and the past dx that I am disputing. He said that instead of dx me GAD he'd say I am DAD. Trying to do some research but thought I'd ask you all.

TIA

Hugs
Danielle

Hugs & Positive Thoughts Always,

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-01-2006
Mon, 02-13-2006 - 7:06pm

Gosh, don't you just hate armchair psychiatrists? Just one small conversation and he can dx you like that. I wish all my past pdocs and therapists could have done that with me. I would have been 'cured' immediately. Gotta laugh, I guess. I hope you listen to your therapists and take this guy's advice with a grain of salt. Until he can sit down with you and take over your therapy, I'd just say to let it roll off your back. Your current therapist(s) know you better.

How did your psych evaluation go? That should have told you what you truly are, or at least a ballpark area, to be sure your treatment is on track.

Take care.

Barb

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Mon, 02-13-2006 - 7:26pm
Danielle I have the feeling that diagnosing someone is
not the easiest thing to do!! I have been trying to figure
myself out for 59 years LOL!!! Really though it must be so hard
since if you are at all like me have symptoms that change
frequently and come and go! I have NEVER been to a psychiatrist
and really have no interest in going!! I took the Paxil it helps
and the Xanax also! I just keep trying to go on-----
I suppose with some people a diagnosis is necessary without
"classic" symptoms of panic disorder.
I wish that you could find the help you need!!
I disassociate sometimes when things get too tough I suppose
we all do???? Heather will tell you about it I am sure--
if not ask her! It is a horrid feeling but comes and goes
so that is the good thing with us!
I sometimes have OCD tendencies, ADD for sure!! Sometimes I
swear I am NORMAL HAHAHAHA!!! Good Luck and I am praying for you!
HUGS!!! Judy
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-11-2004
Mon, 02-13-2006 - 8:16pm
I am going to go out on a limb here. I am NOT a doctor. However, I know that the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-IV) is the Bible for mental health/psychiatric
 

 


 



Avatar for glitterngold
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-13-2003
Mon, 02-13-2006 - 8:41pm

Danielle,

Hmmm sounds like this doc has a couple disorders confused or is combining them.

Dissociative disorders are in the same category as anxiety but are not the same thing. Dissociative disorders involve memory, identity, perception, or consciousness. The proffesional terms are Dissoc Amnesia, dissoc fugue, and dissoc identidy disorder (did)

Anxiety on the other hand classifies disorders as panic, phobic, gad, ocd, posttraumatic stress disorder, and acute stress disorder.

I got this info straight out of my fancy brand new Varcolis Mental health book. I could be wrong, there might be a new dx out there somewhere but don't think so.

Good Luck with your search and let us know if you find something good ;-)

Lisa

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Registered: 05-12-2003
Mon, 02-13-2006 - 10:16pm

Danielle, i have to agree with the other posters, i have no idea what this doctor is talking about. But he is an md after all and not a psychologist, im sure he heard about certain mental health diagnoses when he was in med school, but i imagine that was a while ago....


when i first saw the title of the thread i thought of the dissociative feeling that people with anxiety often get, maybe that's what he was trying to say? you know some people when they have a panic attack feel like they're floating above their body, or have feelings of unreality, symptoms that are categorized as dissociative sensations, but that still falls under the diagnosis of a panic disorder or GAD. If its really bugging you though you should call him back and ask him what he meant. i was at the dentist the other day and she gave me a diagnosis which i promptly forget when i got home so i called her up and she talked to me on the phone and explained it to me, i think most doctors would be willing to do that.

miaxmas.jpg

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 02-14-2006 - 9:39am

Hey Barb,

I'm almost ashamed to admit that I didn't go for the psych testing. My current pdoc felt that if it was necessary down the line then he'd send me but for now since has been able to gather so much information from me he'd like to hold on it. I've been very honest with him. One thing I have learned along the way is the more honest you are the more they can help.

I did make mention to him last night about the things the other dr said so it's out there.

Hugs
Danielle

Hugs & Positive Thoughts Always,

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 02-14-2006 - 9:44am

The way I figure the whole thing is this, I am who I am, I have lived this way my whole life and for the most part under control. My anxiety has taken center stage these days so that does need to be addressed. My family dr suggested a shot at wellbutrin which I'll mention to the psychiatrist with the explanation of how I got that idea. If I do not need the lamictal and a less heavy drug can handle this then I'd prefer that. Lamicatal is a heavy hitter.

As far as dx, I am who I am and I'm fine with that. I don't need a label to know I'm not perfect and I don't need one to feel better about myself is. The guidelines of the label are helpful in the course of therapy but that is it. Last night the pdoc asked me what I want to work on and so that is where we are to start. I'm going to put up another post about last nights therapy session, more question and a laugh.

Hugs
Danielle

Hugs & Positive Thoughts Always,

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 02-14-2006 - 9:46am

From what my regular pdoc says it's an old term that isn't used much anymore, almost like nervous or mental breakdown, they label it otherwise. Basically he said that if I have dissociative symptoms and anxiety that's how they get there but it's not an official dx or label if you will.

Hugs
Danielle

Hugs & Positive Thoughts Always,