anxiety

[alisonbayne]

What are the symptoms of anxiety as a mental health condition which could be treated by a doctor? I don't know if I'm anxious enough! I don't want to waste my GP's time or for him to think I'm pathetic.

[andy hughes]

The condition known as 'anxiety' is quite hard to define in a medical sense, but it usually manifests itself with excess swearting, shortness of breath, feelings of panic and paranoia, claustrophobia, and a variety of other symptoms. If you do not have any of these, it deosn't mean you don't suffer from anxiety - the fact that you feel concerned enough to post this Question means that you have something on your mind. See your doctor, who will assess your situation, and prescribe or refer you as appropriate. Don't worry about not being "anxious enough" - if you are concerned, then your doctor will accept you with a legitimate condition, and he / she won't think you are pathetic. This condition is far more common than you might think, and your doctor will be able to put your mind at rest.

[snaykz]

I suffer from anxiety and all I will advise is for you to see your doctor, and hopefully he will refer you to a councillor. I still see my councillor regularly and there has been tremendous improvement. I also suffered from mild depression but this has gone completely. If the problem is bothering you enough to contemplate seeing the doctor about it, it is worth going. You are not being pathetic in any way, mental health is just as important as physical health, and your doctor will see it that way too. Certain drugs can be prescribed, but these generally just mask the problem and I believe councilling or therapy (don't worry about the terminology, they make it sound more dramatic than it actually is) is the best way to go to solve the problem long term.

[VicDib]

You should never be afraid to ask your doctor for advice and you are certainly not being pathetic. I have a whole family history of anxiety and being a sufferer of it I know how you feel. Things may seem bad now but soon you will realise that everything will be fine and to take each day as it comes. Hope this can be of some use to you and good luck for the future it will be alright.