Having suffered from mild/ moderate depression due to my thyroid levels being off and stress piling up higher than my head, I can honestly say there were days when nothing made me happy. Not the sound of my children laughing, not my husband holding me tight, not writing or reading or any of the activities that I enjoy. Not only was I not happy, I was uninterested in anything other than crawling into bed and staring at the wall. It is not an experience I wish on anyone.
Unfortunately I can't tell you that I did anything for this problem. It took weeks of my husband, who was working on his own issues with bipolar disorder, to finally convince me it was time to see a doctor. He explained over and over again that I wasn't being myself. I kept using the reasoning that anyone would have this reaction when the world was collapsing around them.
Perhaps it is true that my reaction was a normal one. The fact is that we all need a little help sometimes. Thank goodness Daniel pushed me in the right direction, encouraging me and reassuring me that medical intervention is not a sign of weakness. I was absolutely sure, in my not-so-straight-thinking mind, that no one would hire a teacher who had mental problems. I could have sabotaged my entire career if I had continued down this path of refusal of assistance.
So, the answer to this question is that I got medical assistance. I saw a doctor who put me on an anti-depressant and an anti-anxiety medication. He also tested my thyroid levels that same day. A couple days later he called to tell me my thyroid was so far off he was bumping my medication up two doses. Within days of that I was able to go off the anti-anxiety medication as I was having NO anxiety symptoms. The anti-depressant was dropped shortly after that.
I'm sharing this with you today because I know there are MANY people out there who hesitate on getting the help they need because they feel embarrassed or that seeking professional help is a sign of weakness. I feel just the opposite, especially after my experiences in the past three months. Seeing a doctor when you can't do it on your own takes incredible strength and courage. If you are in the same boat, I urge you to ask a friend to hold your hand while you pick up the phone and make an appointment. You deserve to be healthy and happy.
So, the answer to this question is that I got medical assistance. I saw a doctor who put me on an anti-depressant and an anti-anxiety medication. He also tested my thyroid levels that same day. A couple days later he called to tell me my thyroid was so far off he was bumping my medication up two doses. Within days of that I was able to go off the anti-anxiety medication as I was having NO anxiety symptoms. The anti-depressant was dropped shortly after that.
I'm sharing this with you today because I know there are MANY people out there who hesitate on getting the help they need because they feel embarrassed or that seeking professional help is a sign of weakness. I feel just the opposite, especially after my experiences in the past three months. Seeing a doctor when you can't do it on your own takes incredible strength and courage. If you are in the same boat, I urge you to ask a friend to hold your hand while you pick up the phone and make an appointment. You deserve to be healthy and happy.
7 comments:
I totally agree with you; there is nothing to feel shame about if a person needs to be on an antidepressant or antianxiety medicine; I was on both for a bit and they helped me to function and get through a tough time we were going through. When things settled down, I didn't need them any more, tapered off and have been (relatively) okay since :)
glad you are feeling better too!
betty
One goal I have is to spread the word that mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of. I group anxiety and depression in this group as well. I'm glad you were able to taper off the medications and are doing well, Betty!
Amen!!!
Thanks for stopping by Pam. I hope you've had a great weekend!
Yay you (and your man for being there for you and pushing you) I love that you guys are such strong support for each other
Thank you Fi. We try. We each fall down sometimes, but for the most part I think we do a great job. It's nice to be recognized for that. Have a great week!
Hi Karen. A few years ago I started feeling sick and was suffering from extreme anxiety and panic attacks. Then I got a lump on the outside of my throat. I went to the dr. and within minutes, because of the goiter, he was able to diagnose that my thyroid was going hyper. I was put on medication and the symptoms stopped. It was a "sub acute" episode which meant not permanent, and within 3 months my thyroid balanced out again. It hasn't happened since but I will NEVER forget that awful feeling that I was having a nervous breakdown or something, just out of the blue. I have my thyroid checked every year now.
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