Your story

[Willow2022]

I am curious if this has happened to anyone.

I had major depression, took meds, went to therapy for some time and everyone seemed me stable enough to not take meds or therapy anymore. I was thriving!

Then life threw a curveball and although it was stressful waiting for an answer to something, I kept my chin up and a positive outlook. For months I was stressed, yes, but didn’t feel depressed. Then, the answer and although I thought I prepared for the worst, the worst happened and it has turned our lives upside down. I spiraled so quickly that within one day I was a crying panic attack on two legs. I am back in therapy, had my meds doubled from last time and am slowly crawling out of that dark hole.

My question is this: when did/do you know you are headed down that path? Looking back, I should have contacted my therapist when I was stressed so it didn’t lead to this but I felt that I need to handle life’s stressors myself. When does life stress warrant heading back to therapy and when do you just push through? This has made me wonder how I will ever be able to handle major life events without a downward spiral.

[RemySue]

I was blindsided. I went through a terrible divorce and was thriving after several years with a great therapist. 6 years later, I pretty much had a nervous breakdown. Started therapy again with same therapist and a year later I'm semi thriving again :). I had triggers-my middle son moved, my youngest was moving, a medical scare, unhappy with job. Then there's the whole COVID distancing that was harder on me than I thought (being extremely extroverted then isolated). I just did not expect the severe anxiety that showed up last summer. And depression. But I think a lot of people find that dark hole again and dig ourselves out again. At least that's what my therapist says Just needed a brain tune-up.

Long story short- I hear you!

[Willow2022 in reply to RemySue]

Thanks RemySue. I keep wondering if this is my tuneup or if this is life (meds, therapy). I suppose as long as I feel healthy that it doesn’t matter either way, right?

[RemySue in reply to Willow2022]

I never went off my meds. I think I'll need them for the rest of my life, and there's no shame in that.

[AnxiousSilver]

"My question is this: when did/do you know you are headed down that path? Looking back, I should have contacted my therapist when I was stressed so it didn’t lead to this but I felt that I need to handle life’s stressors myself."

IMO.. This one is too hard to answer, because everybody is different.

.

Since the pandemic started, I've seen lots of complaints of, "Why are there hardly any anxiety or depression support groups, but there's all these substance abuse groups?"

Well.. That's easy to answer.

Anxiety, stress, and depression don't have a structured 12-step program that works for the majority of people.

People have different things on their plate. People have different coping skills. People have different stressors, triggers, ETC.

People also have different family tree backgrounds. Some people can take one pill, and that's all they need to get back on track. Some people can try EVERYTHING (and I mean EVERYTHING) and still struggle.

.

But whatever..

Nobody knows your body better than you, and reaching out for help is more of "your call".

^ Although.. With that said, if you have people in your life "that you trust" that suggest help, you may want to at least listen to what they have to say, and then ask yourself if "it's time".

[Willow2022 in reply to AnxiousSilver]

True Silver. I think I was pretty good at hiding how it was affecting me in order to be strong for my husband. In doing so, I sacrificed my mental health.

[AnxiousSilver in reply to Willow2022]

Oh my goodness, yes!

We all wear our masks.

Especially if you deal with anxiety and/or depression, we all wear our masks.

.

When I start (hopefully soon) sharing a little bit more about me around here, you'll see how much I sacrificed for my mental health, but (like you) I'm doing it for my close family members.

Sometimes I'm loyal to a fault, but I'm also blessed that while my family (and I) are struggling, I can at least trust them.

If I feel that I can trust somebody with my life, then I am usually (especially as I get older) willing to make such sacrifices.

.

But.. I'm also "trying" to find more time lately (whenever I can) to take care of my me as well.

& I'm grateful to have this place, and the supportive community members here. (to help get me through what I am currently going through)

[Willow2022 in reply to AnxiousSilver]

It’s brave to put yourself out there. We are lucky to have you in this community. 💜

[AnxiousSilver in reply to Willow2022]

Listen, you guys/gals are, "The community".

.

Each and every one of you that had the courage to sign up, stay here, and be a part of "this", is why people "like me" can have a place that I badly need in my life right now.

There's a lot of people that are hurtin ATM.

For me.. This place and the people here are my daily reminder that there are still good people out there in the world.

[Willow2022 in reply to AnxiousSilver]

Me too Silver. Didn’t know I need this until I signed up. Hugs to everyone

[Blueruth]

I think of therapy as a life long thing... not that you go constantly but that you may need it for that next evolution in your life long growth. What helps me is accepting that so that it becomes part of my resilience toolkit. Last year I didn't just need therapy to talk through it. I also needed meds. I don't see anything wrong with asking for outside help even if you practice some of the things you already know. So maybe the new lesson is to be able to recognize when to ask. That is okay too.