genuinegirly

I know this thread is to help anleja, but dang - it has helped me too. You are so honest and comfortable sharing your struggles with anxiety. It's something that I never knew was so prevalent.

Last year I finally felt comfortable informing my mother about my anxiety and depression. It is something that I have kept to myself, never thinking that someone else could face the same concerns. That decision to share with my mom has been so rewarding, as she has felt alone with similar anxieties. With a more open dialogue in the home, we have worked out systems to help one another. Still, the road isn't easy and only my closest friends know I face anxiety. I tend to keep to myself, retreat to my bedroom when the anxiety hits. I have walked out of stores, failed to attend classes (therefore failing them entirely), and even was determined not to drive because the learning experience was so anxiety-ridden and disheartening. I have backed out of otherwise healthy relationships, walked out of jobs, and refuse to share my art (piano, voice, dance, watercolors) because of the anxiety associated with its presentation.

In my hesitation to tell people you can guess that I have never mentioned it to a doctor, never been medicated nor gone to therapy. I couldn't imagine bringing something as "minor" as anxiety to a doctor until I started reading of your experiences. Doctors have always been for broken limbs, illnesses sinus infections, and serious disorders like bi-polar and epilepsy. There's counseling out there for anxiety? And it helps people? WOW.

THANK YOU!!!!!!!! for your openness and honesty - for being willing to share such personal and difficult experiences. You're not just helping anleja. You're helping me, and the lurkers who have read this thread without response.

__________________
"Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq

"violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy