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I'm wanting to start the process of getting diagnosed officially (for my anxiety and my OSDD) but I'm really afraid. I know it'll be nice to be able to say for sure that I have something and ease some of worries, and it'll be helpful in terms of pursuing better treatment, but I'm really afraid of the stigma that comes with a diagnosis, you know? Like right now I can mask and kind of pretend that I'm "normal" (whatever that means) but if I get officially diagnosed I feel like I'll lose the ability to do that in certain situations. I know I should go through and get diagnosed anyways but I'm just afraid.
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Depersonalization
Social Anxiety
Other Specified Dissociative Disorder (OSDD)
Anxiety (Including GAD)
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Anything new is scary and I hear you šYou can still mask!! Honestly getting diagnosed has helped me manage masking- when is appropriate and when to not. If it helps think about it like leveling up your masking skillsā¦ masking 2.0. You get to share your diagnosis with whoever you think is safe enough to. It may also help others better understand and support you. Iāve always taken my diagnosises with a grain of salt like yes they help explain certain things and give me clarity but I am me and they donāt rule my identify. And yes it will hopefully get you better treatment and you can gain clarity on what youāre really managing and/or fighting. When Iām scared about doing something what helps me is I tell myself in 24 hrs Iāll know more or something similar to that. It helps me calm down to realize Iām not being thrown into the fire all at once and the further down the road the more info I have to handle situations. You may be afraid now but after that first appointment you may be able to handle more. And if not thatās where the backup plan comes in. Best of luck on the journey and you got this!!! Do it for yourself, make life easier for your future self, and for past self that hasnāt had as much help, knowledge, or experience.
609d
@KitKat1450 Thank you so much for this response. I really like the idea of "masking 2.0", I'm gonna keep that one in mind lol. But yeah it's really reassuring to hear the perspective from someone who has gone through the process!!! Im sure a lot of this overthinking is (ironically) just anxiety but it still really helps. Thank you so much for the kind words, it means a lot!!
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@Ghost_Cat lol so true with overthinking but the anxiety is realš and you arenāt alone in that. Youāll find your way to manageššš» Iām here if you do need to talk. Also what helps me tremendously with my anxiety is go to the worst case scenario and play it out in my head. It helps me realize what my anxiety is freaking out about isnāt that big of a deal sometimes or if it is I create a backup plan and feel safer since Iāve already thought about how it could all go wrong and realize Iām a fighter and be ok even if the situation isnāt. Then I can actually have some brain space to be like ok so whatās the best outcome and letās hope and work towards that.
ā This content is generated by our users and it is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision
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