I had depression a few years ago. How can I know if I have anxiety disorder now?

Question

Hi doctor,

I wondered if you could give me some help and advice towards anxiety, how to find out if I have it and what to do. I was diagnosed with depression a few years ago and put into counseling, and some of my symptoms did come under the anxiety conditions. In the last two years, more things have cropped up that are anxiety symptoms, but I want to know how you can tell if I am worrying as an average person would, or I have an anxiety disorder. Also, I am currently taking combination contraceptive pills.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

When you are getting affected in your routine life or social life, it is diagnosed as a mental illness. If you are not functional (functional impairment) due to any symptoms, it is an illness. For example, if you are going to attend an exam tomorrow, you will have nervousness and worries, but you will still be preparing for your exam, taking enough food, and getting regular sleep. It is a normal human reaction to the exam to get nervous. But when in the same situation, if you cannot prepare for your exam (functional impairment), do not take food, and have a problem in your sleep, then it is an anxiety disorder. I hope that you got your answer. Please let me know if you want some help.

Thank you.