When Anxiety Persists Too Long- Depression Follows: People Feel So Alone and Shamed
It's not fun when you suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, it's with you 24/7. Left untreated it can lead to Clinical Depression. I will share some facts and what feels like a dismal story, looking for that happy ending! Many times the person suffering thinks they can overcome the symptoms on their own or they think, "Hey I rode this out before, it will pass again." Don't risk giving into those thoughts if you have suffered longer than 4 weeks.
The symptoms associated with GAD- Generalized Anxiety Disorder are numerous and not only take a toll on the brain but your physical body as well. The symptoms can be numerous or few but they are life altering when not treated. A person can wake up and feel shaky from the inside out as soon as their feet hit the floor. Your heart feels like it's beating over time most of the day, hot flushes come and go, dizziness, feeling faint, sleepy when you should feel awake, not being able to sleep (insomnia), fear of going places or leaving your home period, intrusive thoughts like a Merry go round in your head or a bad song playing over and over, legs feel like jelly (very weak), and mood changes. Not a great mix, sort of makes it hard to function.
After my mom passed my Anxiety level rose. I kept relating it fully to grief. It wasn't until the past few months I realized her loss opened up a can of worms. Yes, my GAD became worse but it didn't give me a reprieve. I went to Counseling and my Dr. but I honestly thought most of this was fairly normal considering how deep the pain was after she passed. I found myself staying up later and sleeping in later as well. I honestly don't feel like getting out of bed most days because I don't want to feel all these symptoms. I do however, make myself get up and function. I can't tell you how hard it is just to shower, I know right... such a simple task! I can't begin to share the immense amount of guilt I've placed on myself because I don't feel worthy. It's hard to concentrate which means it's been harder for me to read or write. I've become angry but my anger is really directed at my illness even though it may come out in different manners right now.
I've lost my zest for life but not my zest for living.
I know there is still such a freaking stigma attached to Anxiety Disorder and Depression because a few people who used to say, "I'm here if you need me, or I understand," well some of those same people have turned their backs on me. Who can blame them? It's not like I have cancer or I suffer from Heart disease- I LOOK perfectly healthy.
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Comments
Lisa Gallagher
6 years ago #31
I'm sorry Steve Brady, please feel free to PM me anytime :)
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #30
Thanks, I'm doing fairly good right now :)) I agree, what waits on the other side makes life feel that much better!
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #29
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #28
Thanks Steve Brady, I think in many circumstances there are always bits and pieces others can relate to, agree! :)
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #27
\ud83d\udc1d Fatima Williams, I believe that you did grieve differently. I have 4 siblings and each one of us has grieved differently too. I feel bad for my step dad because he still lives in the big home that he and my mom built together, much of it done by them! I'm glad you were able to start sleeping normally again. Your brain must have held onto that time (1:30) and because of grief, it would wake you up. Laughter is so good for the soul and I can tell you, that's one thing I haven't done enough of in a long time. Maybe I need to make a few new friends that aren't so serious... I have some great friends who are wonderful people but also have a fantastic sense of humor but we don't live close enough to get together often. I think there is a lot to be said about laughter, not taking life too serious, people who don't take themselves too serious along with some (not speaking of anyone on here) who just need to lighten up, period. Thanks Fatima, your such a kind person and I appreciate your sincere thoughts and sharing your story too!
🐝 Fatima G. Williams
7 years ago #26
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #25
Hi Preston Vander Ven, I can't imagine the depths of depression you experienced after the loss of your brother and to have your seizures increase too, wow! I would imagine a major event/stress can cause epileptic seizures to increase? You made such a great point Preston, 'surrounding yourself with others who had dreams and hope, which you lacked at the time." Maybe that's what gave me the courage to post such a personal buzz on beBee because I do feel safe, it is a positive environment and it's helpful to release certain emotions via writing and by talking to others who are such positive forces like you and others who posted on here! Thank you so much and I'm sorry you endured such a difficult loss.
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #24
Thank you @Max Carter and best wishes to you :))
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #23
Hi Don \ud83d\udc1d Kerr, I love that quote and it's the first time I've heard it. I will have to remember that. I'm glad it works for you too or you would have never finished that book which, btw... I'm half way through. I'd be done already but I put books on the side burner until my concentration level returns. I wish I could just go catch it lol. Thanks Don and hope your doing well1
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #22
So nicely put Ali Anani, yes my heart will smile again! :))
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #21
I hope you do yourself a favor and just stay clear of her, your too kind of a person to be treated in that manner. Self care, remember how important that is Cyndi wilkins
don kerr
7 years ago #20
Ali Anani
7 years ago #19
Cyndi wilkins
7 years ago #18
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #17
Hi Cyndi wilkins, after reading that I feel cured (just joking to make light of the seriousness of your friends condition). Wow, I've never heard of an illness like that, I wonder what the term is? It sounds like she's sucking the energy out of you and you don't need that right now... or ever. One thing that did enlighten me through counseling, I have allowed others for way too long to take advantage of me and drain me because I didn't want to hurt their feelings. I have been letting go of toxic relationships. My anger spilled out this year and I'm sure grief played a large role. In some ways I have to thank grief for it because it opened my eyes to others and myself a bit more. Maybe your friend is more than you need to deal with and she needs to get extreme help from professionals? It almost sounds like she has a personality disorder too which can't be fixed. I'm sorry that happened to you. You need positive people around you that are going to care about YOUR feelings!! Hugs Cyndi, so many ups/downs after the loss of a loved one, don't allow her to intrude on your own healing.
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #16
Thanks Rod Loader! Ditto, my friend :)
Cyndi wilkins
7 years ago #15
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #14
Hi Terri Barr, I like that Acronym! I will have to remember that. Welcome to beBee and thank you for your comment!
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #13
Thanks for the link David! I will check it out. Good points made about Chinese Medicine.
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #12
I didn't know it was classified as such , I just learned something new today! I know employers aren't supposed to discriminate but I'd be very fearful of sharing this during an interview (well it's all public knowledge now) since I have been sharing it online ;-) But, I would fear if I did share it they would just find another reason and never admit that my illness is the reason I didn't get the job. It's very true, looks can be very deceiving- I've met others with this affliction and they are high functioning. A person can never tell by looking at a person but some are quick to judge after they know. Thank you for your well wishes, appreciated!
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #11
If China doesn't recognize any mental illness (gah, I hate that term) as legitimate then the stigma is worse. At least we have Dr's who understand, care and do search for the newest of treatments available. Counselors too. Sometimes it's a crap shoot depending on your insurance and the area one lives in. I have been lucky because I have a very progressive Dr who is constantly going to conferences to learn about the newest research and a Therapist who has more Certs than the average (again, considering my area too). Acupuncture, I've read that people do use it but it doesn't last, it's not a cure. However, I guess if someone could afford it Dean Owen it wouldn't hurt to get that along with other therapies. Thanks for suggesting!
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #10
Hi Steve Brady, I'm sorry you've suffered too from it. Very creative, "How bloody awful GAD it is." Wow, that could be used as part of a campaign to end the stigma! You also wrote, I'm discovering more of who I really am, and how for years I had conformed but stifled my own soul." I heard through EMDR I may just begin to discover much more about myself and I look forward to that too. Thank you very much for sharing and feel free to PM me anytime as well!
David B. Grinberg
7 years ago #9
Dean Owen, while I'm not sure acupuncture is a cure all for GAD and depression, you nonetheless strike an important chord about medicine. That is, Chinese medicine has been around for THOUSANDS of years -- whereas American medicine has been around for about only 241 years. That's a major disparity that should speak volumes. The saying "ancient Chinese secret" exists for a reason. I recommend reading, "Between Heaven and Earth" for those who want to learn more about Chinese medicine https://www.amazon.com/Between-Heaven-Earth-Chinese-Medicine/dp/0345379748
David B. Grinberg
7 years ago #8
Dean Owen
7 years ago #7
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #6
Thank you for your wise words @Jim Cody! I never felt so nervous before hitting the publish button! I almost deleted this post today but thought hey, if it helps to be honest and keep spreading the word(s), then I will leave it up. It makes a person feel very vulnerable when posting something this deep. As you stated the stigma will continue as long as they classify 'brain illnesses' as Mental instead of reclassifying them as a Medical Condition and it's very true, unless a person has experienced any Mental Condition, they can't phantom how terminal this can feel when one is at their lowest, which includes what it does to the physical body. I won't even mention where the brain tends to go when people hit their lowest but it's real. Thanks again!
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #5
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #4
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #3
Pascal Derrien
7 years ago #2
Lisa Gallagher
7 years ago #1
Thank you for reading it Emily\ud83d\udc1d Bee and I'm sorry you can relate... I think that made sense?