GAD/Depression. Opinions

Lilee

Okay so i'm not happy. Within myself. My friends want me to go to a doctor to see if I can get some help - they say it's not normal and that I need to see somebody about it. I guess I just want a second opinion so i'm asking you guys.

I worry. I worry about stupid little things and work myself up into a stress about it. I was flying to Newcastle last weekend and was to meet my housemate over there for a gig. My flight didn't leave until midday on Sunday but by Saturday morning I was packed and was sat watching the Portsmouth vs. Cardiff City game on the telly almost in tears . I kept thinking i'd forgotten to pack something and would have to go through the case again to check. Even though I knew it wasn't important. I was only going over for the one night. It wasn't the end of the world if I forgot anything! I knew I was being stupid checking but I couldn't settle until I knew. I ended up putting the bag in a cupboard so I didn't have to keep seeing it. Then I convinced myself something was going to go wrong with the flights [nothing drastic - like - I didn't have thoughts of the plane breaking or something] but that i'd miss my flight and end up stranded. That the walk from the check-in desks is about 15 mins so i'd have to allow myself at least 20 to be on the safe side. And What if I was stopped at the metal detectors? That would hinder me too. I ended up phoning up the taxi company to change my booking to 8.30am just to make sure I made it on time. The thoughts process just spiralled out of control and by the end of the day I was a wreck! I couldn't sleep that night because I was too scared i'd sleep in and miss the taxi to the airport. I ended up sat in the airport for 3hrs waiting on the plane. Cursing myself for getting there so early.

It's not just stuff like that though. I worry about missing the dart to work every morning. Getting up mega early just so I know i'm on time. Even though it's only a 2min walk from my house. Or if my housemate decides to put her washing in and my stuff is already in the drum waiting to be taken out - I have to make sure there's space on the airer for my stuff before I can move it and it has to be done in the right order. Plans and order are my downfall. She says I think about things WAY too much and work myself up into a complete worry about something completely insignificant. She says she doesn't know how I manage to get through each day without having a heart attack!

I can't think of any more examples for you though...which I know could be a problem. Because from what i've written up there - it seems to be a public transport phobia! Haha but it's not - it relates to everything. I don't go out to clubs/pubs anymore with my friends because of it. Because i'm scared people are judging me, i'm scared i'll do something wrong, i'm scared people are looking at me. I can't enjoy it. I started making getout clauses before i'd even leave the house - saying i'll only stay until midnight and get the taxi back before it gets too expensive, that i've a headache etc. Even if i'm enjoying myself I still can't let myself go. I'm constantly worrying about being in somebody's way, about following the conversation, about where my friends are...it's just too tiring!

I've not slept properly for the past 4 months from it - waking up from either nightmares or just for no reason at all.

She says I have Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Depression. I don't know if I have or haven't - but I just want a bit of reassurance, I guess, that I a) Need to go to my GP about this and that b) He won't think i'm over-reacting or being stupid by seeing him.

And what do you say to the GP? "Hi. I worry a lot...am I depressed?".

RedXIV

First and foremost, whatever opinions you read here will not compare to your GP. They will not laugh at you, they are obligied to help and not judge so don't fear them.

It sounds a little like OCD, but on the same token, i'm not a GP, i'm not going to pretend to know. The nightclub thing sounds like a confidence issue instead of depression, and the over thinking stuff? i have a friend who does this, she rings alot because she works herself up into a panic about things she's DEF over analysised. She's on no medication, but she finds warm milk good for unwinding

I don't really have any great advice lass sorry, but i def say you shouldn't be nervous about visiting your GP

RubyXI

Lilee wrote: »

Okay so i'm not happy. Within myself. My friends want me to go to a doctor to see if I can get some help - they say it's not normal and that I need to see somebody about it. I guess I just want a second opinion so i'm asking you guys.

I worry. I worry about stupid little things and work myself up into a stress about it. I was flying to Newcastle last weekend and was to meet my housemate over there for a gig. My flight didn't leave until midday on Sunday but by Saturday morning I was packed and was sat watching the Portsmouth vs. Cardiff City game on the telly almost in tears . I kept thinking i'd forgotten to pack something and would have to go through the case again to check. Even though I knew it wasn't important. I was only going over for the one night. It wasn't the end of the world if I forgot anything! I knew I was being stupid checking but I couldn't settle until I knew. I ended up putting the bag in a cupboard so I didn't have to keep seeing it. Then I convinced myself something was going to go wrong with the flights [nothing drastic - like - I didn't have thoughts of the plane breaking or something] but that i'd miss my flight and end up stranded. That the walk from the check-in desks is about 15 mins so i'd have to allow myself at least 20 to be on the safe side. And What if I was stopped at the metal detectors? That would hinder me too. I ended up phoning up the taxi company to change my booking to 8.30am just to make sure I made it on time. The thoughts process just spiralled out of control and by the end of the day I was a wreck! I couldn't sleep that night because I was too scared i'd sleep in and miss the taxi to the airport. I ended up sat in the airport for 3hrs waiting on the plane. Cursing myself for getting there so early.

It's not just stuff like that though. I worry about missing the dart to work every morning. Getting up mega early just so I know i'm on time. Even though it's only a 2min walk from my house. Or if my housemate decides to put her washing in and my stuff is already in the drum waiting to be taken out - I have to make sure there's space on the airer for my stuff before I can move it and it has to be done in the right order. Plans and order are my downfall. She says I think about things WAY too much and work myself up into a complete worry about something completely insignificant. She says she doesn't know how I manage to get through each day without having a heart attack!

I can't think of any more examples for you though...which I know could be a problem. Because from what i've written up there - it seems to be a public transport phobia! Haha but it's not - it relates to everything. I don't go out to clubs/pubs anymore with my friends because of it. Because i'm scared people are judging me, i'm scared i'll do something wrong, i'm scared people are looking at me. I can't enjoy it. I started making getout clauses before i'd even leave the house - saying i'll only stay until midnight and get the taxi back before it gets too expensive, that i've a headache etc. Even if i'm enjoying myself I still can't let myself go. I'm constantly worrying about being in somebody's way, about following the conversation, about where my friends are...it's just too tiring!

I've not slept properly for the past 4 months from it - waking up from either nightmares or just for no reason at all.

She says I have Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Depression. I don't know if I have or haven't - but I just want a bit of reassurance, I guess, that I a) Need to go to my GP about this and that b) He won't think i'm over-reacting or being stupid by seeing him.

And what do you say to the GP? "Hi. I worry a lot...am I depressed?".

Sounds familiar. I dont really have answers coz im in a similar situation. I TOTALLY understand the not knowing what to say to a doctor. I still havent had the courage to go. Everyone on here will give you the same advise. Go to the doctor. And they're right. But i understand that thats a really difficult thing to do. For me it is anyway- i dont mean to make assumptions about you. Good Luck

ronbyrne2005

Don't think your depressed. CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) would help . Ask GP to refer you to local psychiatric clinic (don't worry this does'nt mean you are nuts or anything). See the psychiatrist and ask about psychotherapy. You have some form of Generalised anxiety which manifests as social anxiety ,obsessive thinking and panic. Most GPs are'nt well trained in mental health issues but know who to send you on to. If you have health insurance you can do intensive programmes in private clinics for these issues or else attend psychologist through public service or pay to go private(and get seen quicker probably).