Saw the Psychiatrist
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| Mon, 02-12-2007 - 11:57pm |
Well, this was my first time. I am considering going on meds, so I wanted to get his opinion. I am very wary of them as I had a bad experience with Paxil and side effects before. Also, I have my anxiety/panic under pretty good control. It is pretty situational. Although the situations seem to come up monthly (or so).
It was an interesting visit. I got lots out of it in some ways. He really pointed me in the right direction as far as things I need to work on in my head. He really showed me how I am doing a lot of this to myself by dwelling on certain things. I had no idea I was doing it. My stress levels have dropped dramatically since the appointment.
As far as my diagnosis, he has me down as major depression with anxiety and panic. Major depression?? I don't think so... I was diagnosed with clinical depression years ago, and that is definitely not what is going on with me. I was diagnosed with panic disorder before, that is what I was seeing him about. So, I am not sure what to do about him and the major depression diagnosis. I read up on it and I have absolutely none of the symptoms. He wants me to take Lexapro, but that has not been approved for panic disorder. It was actually denied twice by the FDA for panic disorder.
Does anybody have any idea why he would diagnose me this way? Could he be covering himself for giving me the Lexapro?
Thanks everyone!
Laura

Glad to hear that you were able to get the stress levels down. Many of us have found that seeing a professional helps us identify our behavior that sets us up for a/p.
I would not *dwell* on this diagnosis thing. It's only words. Most illnesses cross over into other illnesses, so it's never an exact thing. Also, doctors have different criteria for a diagnosis from what they have learned from years of practice. Try to let this go.
As for lexapro, we have a bunch of folks taking it. Sheri Ann our co-cl swears by it for her panic with agoraphobia. Once again, in spite of the fact it has not been approved for panic, doctors can see in their practice if a med is successful or not. It remains an antidepressant & antidepressants are a first line drug in treating anxiety disorders. GL&GBU, Laura:) (((hugs))) jan
I was diagosed with depression, generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder last fall. I started taking Lexapro in Nov. I was having daily panic attacks. I have not had a full blown panic attack since Thanksgiving. I had terrible insomnia and now my sleep is back to normal. I still have some anxiety but it's nothing compared to what I was dealing with.
The Lexapro did make my anxiety worse for a week or so, but then all the side effects went away after 2-3 weeks.
Hi Laura,
I agree with the other posts, I just wanted add that the Dr that started me on my meds for GAD told me there is a such thing as anxiety-induced depression where you are so frustrated and upset because of the anxiety and wanting to feel normal again. It isn't the same as what you would call "regular" depression, like you want to go hide in a hole and sleep forever. As I understood it, it was more of being angry, upset and frustrated and feeling like you have no control over yourself. That is what I get pretty bad. I don't feel like I want to go sleep forever or get away, I actually don't like to have idle moments, because then I think about all my anxiety and the cycle starts all over. Does this make any sense to you? LOL!! Sorry!!! Anyway, I also agree with Jan that different Drs are going to have different ways of defining what they think of as depression. I see where you are coming from though, nobody wants to be "labeled" as depressed, anxious, panicky, or sensitive. It just adds to the anxiety that something is wrong with you. I am glad you seem to feel he is pointing you in the right direction as far as your thinking though. Try to focus on what you really liked and felt you got out of the session and not what he is diagnosing you with. Or even better, ask him why he diagnosed you with the depression and what things you may have said or did that led him to that conclusion. Wishing you all the luck in the world for your next visit!! Hugs, Erin