More often than not patients who specifically require mental health diagnoses will either be misdiagnosed or not diagnosed in any way what so ever. The repercussions of the several possibilities of either of these end results when seeking proper assessment never end up in a positive solution. To name a few possible very life affecting paths of an individual seeking mental health help is relatively simple as it is one of the World’s main issues of the last decade. If one was unable to properly express themselves in a very forced, limited and challenging environments such as a family M.D one could be diagnosed with a severe form of anxiety disorder when perhaps a specialist or mental health practitioner would have been the ideal route of action. To ensure proper diagnoses general M.Ds of the modern age should be required to take a refresher course on the specific symptoms and whether or not they are able to make the proper diagnoses or if a third party Mental Health assessment is required. The next paragraphs will compare address the differences of two individuals which both believe to have anxiety disorder but in fact only one is truly afflicted.
Just to give how a simple, quick diagnosis of anxiety disorder based on patients described symptoms never ends up positively but always severely life impacting as stated earlier I will now show a quick, accurate chain reaction situation. The patient of whom is now confident of her symptoms begins a treatment of Anxiety Disorder entailing low doses of benzodiazepines such as Valium or Xanax and finds relief despite the fact the doctor forgot to mention that these are perhaps the hardest narcotics both illegal and legal to come off of and that they should only be used for three weeks maximum. The patient then switches doctors due to any possible reason and two years later is found taking four times the original amount, constantly having issues with depression and with some research realizes just how difficult it will be to endure a 6 month taper regiment to come off of, not to mention the fact that after proper reassessment just a month ago realized that she was misdiagnosed.
The key differences between two individuals whom are seeking help regarding anxiety will now be identified proving how this delicate process of mental health diagnoses should begin. One of the two in fact is experiencing nothing other than normal to moderate levels of normal anxiety levels while the other requires help with their disorder and after the M.D address’ the actual anxiety disorder being apparent in the individual they should take responsible measures such as the next step being booking an assessment with a Psychologist. Patient One will now be referred to as P.1 just as patient two will be P.2 in the concluding paragraph. P.1 is simply experiencing normal anxiety levels while P.2 requires much additional help.
After a thorough description of P.1’s symptoms & behaviours are noted. The M.D notices and quickly pulls out the described issues of the patient which do not fit with regular anxiety disorder, quite notably the top are as follows. P.1 describes a very apparent increase in anxiety but right away was described as a serious issue that has been apparent for over 6 months, when questioned about p.1’s lifestyle a second job, relationship and currently approaching finals is indicative of normal anxiety. The 6 month period most notably suggests the fact of these issues appearing within the time frame which co-existed with the increase on responsibilities and day to day routines in P/1\s life. These two facts confidently allows the doctor to explains due to taking on much more activities and approaching final examinations in school has caused her normal anxiety levels to double in severity which can be combatted with proper rest, exercise, yoga, meditation or simply prioritizing her life and leaving time for self-relaxation.
After a thorough description of P.2’s symptoms & behaviours the differences from normal anxiety are noted. P.2 states the following facts which require some questions from the M.D but are indicative of anxiety disorder. P.2 right away states off the bat that due to frequently moving as a teenager he was never with the same doctor for more than 6 months maximum. Proceeding on he states how he has brought up the issue so many times and without given a chance was ignored in a way. P.2 then describes how from grade school till now he has had severe issues in social environments, compulsively worrying about small issues along with once a month experiencing such overwhelming stress that he is sent into a form of an attack which we generally is known as a panic attack and without proper medication can be very frightening. The Doctor immediately informs P.2 of what he believes to be two forms of anxiety disorder apparent which are Generalized Anxiety Disorder along with Socialized Anxiety Disorder. After explaining the two to P.2 he then makes arrangements for P.2 to see a Psychologist and books the appointment along with a follow up appointment with himself. He then prescribes a small prescription of valium to only take when experiencing an attack and before parting ways he explains to P.2 of just how addicting these substances are and only should be taken when needed.
