A good long walk

[Luthor82]

@mybrainmythoughts instagram

[McK456]

Hi Luthor82,

I’m trying to learn as I’m new on this site. Do you mind if I ask who Fred is? Is that a name who you call your anxiety? If so, do you find it helpful? Where did you get that idea?

[Luthor82 in reply to McK456]

Fred is my anxiety and my depression all rolled into one. I gave him a name because he has been with me my whole life and it felt appropriate, especially when I started thinking more about it. He was a coping mechanism to start with, kept me hyper vigilant as a child so that i could always be on my guard and nothing was unexpected. He helped me through times of crisis by taking over and making me more logical.

Because I’m no longer in that environment Fred feels redundant and left out, so the functions he served before are now a negative impact on me. Almost as if he is trying to make me feel unsafe again so that he will be needed.

It’s not all bad though. In times of crisis he takes over again, and he’s invaluable. He helps me stay calm, focused, logical and practical.

[Luthor82 in reply to McK456]

I find it helpful naming him as it’s easier to talk about a person than it is depression and GAD. The team that work for me know about Fred. You know how people will ask you if you’re ok, and you say yes I’m fine. Then 10 minutes later, they ask again and again and again. If I’m having a shocker of a day and some one asks, I tell them “I’m fine but Fred’s being a dick”. And they understand.

[McK456 in reply to Luthor82]

You’re writing is beautiful & thoughtful. I have never thought of naming my bipolar/depression/ anxiety. I have been diagnosed with GAD, but when I’m in an episode of depression/anxiety gets ramped up.

Thank you for sharing. I am seriously going to consider naming this monster that is holding me back.

[Iammesues]

Your writing is lovely

[Luthor82 in reply to Iammesues]

Thank you ☺️