Hello everyone I (19M) just checked my emails to see a letter from physiatrist to me and my GP saying she’s diagnosed me with SAD but am currently overseas and am confused about what this means. I am admittedly really ignorant about mental health diagnoses and have have sort of had denial about it all until now so please excuse anything I say that might sound dumb or insensitive - this is not my intention at all.

Is this a real “anxiety” diagnosis as my perception of social anxiety has sort of been ruined by everyone now a days saying they have social anxiety for stuff that feels very much outside of what I experience with my own anxiety. Are medications often prescribed for SAD or is it treated lesser than GAD. My anxiety affects me a fair bit and am just a bit unsure and am overseas so unable to immediately consult my physiatrist about this. 

I will be seeing her as soon as I get back so obviously this will all be answered but I’m just looking for some immediate answers/comfort as I don’t know what to make of this. 

Thankyou