It’s finally getting better

[OneOfMany]

Hello everyone. I’m brand new to the group, and this is my very first post.

After almost a year of battling depression, anxiety, and crippling panic attacks, I finally sought professional help in an attempt to get my life back. The good news is that the therapy and medication have me feeling better than I have felt in months, even though it took about six weeks to get there.

I’m also somewhat grateful for this experience, as crazy as that sounds, so that I can genuinely empathize with others.

I watched my mother and brother battle with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder for most of my life, so I knew that it was very much real, but I simply couldn’t comprehend what they were actually going through or how strong they truly were until I experienced it for myself. Ironically, it’s easy to view people with mental illness as “weaker” if you’ve never experienced it. You may even think that we are all experiencing the same things in life, but that those with depression and anxiety are simply choosing not to will themselves through it like the rest of us do. I was sadly one of those people. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.

I’m a successful business professional in the corporate world, a college graduate, a father, a leader, an optimist, an insanely hard worker, and, yet, depression and anxiety still found me. It’s the single hardest battle I have ever faced, but at the same time, I genuinely feel that it has made me a stronger and a better person.

I have also developed an internal passion to want to help others who are struggling. Share with them the things I’ve learned. Help them to realize that the doom and gloom doesn’t last forever, that they aren’t going crazy, that they aren’t going to die, that they will get better at managing these symptoms that feel like the heaviest weight in the world some days. It gets better. You’ve got this. Just keep pushing!

[Hidden]

Hello and welcome aboard! You are so right! Those who don't have depression and/or anxiety have no idea what it's like. It's unbearable times infinity to go through, but you are right that it makes us feel stronger!

[Agora1]

Welcome "OneOfMany" how true a statement. Makes no differencewho we are or what we do in life, anxiety/depression can find us.

The old saying, "it takes one to know one" couldn't be truer when we

experience anxiety ourselves. It is impossible in trying to explain what

we feel mentally and physically.

As with everything in life, this has been an experience that can help us

grow stronger and more caring. I'm happy that you've reached out to

the many of us looking for understanding and caring support. xx

[Lancs7]

I have recently gone through a breakdown mentally severe Anxiety and can not focus on anything. I have had to have 5 weeks off of work. Iv never had. A day off sick in 20 years. I am a father and the main bread winner so this has been a struggle. I am back at work but not full time as im finding things hard.

Just interested to see what tips you say you have learnt going through this. Any tips will massively appreciated.

[Existing]

Excellent and uplifting! I copied a couple of things from your post and pasted here for you to remember next time depression has its grips on you (because you will forget, and even disbelieve under the spell of your depression):1. I’m also somewhat grateful for this experience, as crazy as that sounds, so that I can genuinely empathize with others.

2. You may even think that we are all experiencing the same things in life, but that those with depression and anxiety are simply choosing not to will themselves through it like the rest of us do. I was sadly one of those people. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG.

I suggest you have these written down somewhere so you can remember them when depression convinces you otherwise. 😊 Been there, done that, lol.