How did you come by your diagnosis?

[binjyb]

First post in this forum:

*scatters hugs and squares of chocolate*

Depression snuck up on me ..bit by bit- year by year , until it had me covered in a thick cloak which weighed me down , physically and mentally .

Finally a doctor's appointment was made when I had trouble literally putting one foot in front of the other ! The diagnosis was a complete shock .. OTHERS had depression .. I knew family/friends with it .. this wasn't it, was it? Surely this was MS or a virus , or something...

Nope ..just  depression & anxiety ... and so began the search for professional people and medication to aid in managing this .'Tis an interesting journey ...it hurts,it is debilitating,it is confusing,and it is the thing which has led me to think more and do things differently.

[Girl_Anachronism]

Hi BinjyB

First of all welcome to the forums, I hope you find them as supportive as I have.

In answer to your question, my diagnosis was made when without me realising it ,depression started eating at me over a year and a bit. It was when I, always the good student and nerd, doing assignment sin advance started notonly missing assignements but not even caring that I didn't submit anything to them that I should have seen the warning flags. I couldn't make myself study for the exams, but drove down to uni anyway, so my husband didn't know that something was so terribly wrong.

I stood there, outside  the exam room, unable to make myself go in. I couldn't take a single step. I stared at my feet, unable to make myself move. That was when I realised not only that something was very wrong with me, but also that I needed help.

So I turned around, ran to the university counsellors office and gave up fighting back the tears.

Interesting is certainly one word for this journey.

GA

[Mbuna]

Hey BinjyB

I agree. It is definitely an interesting journey. I know I have learned a lot about myself once I realized what my problem was. Its a tough journey but I honestly think it has made me a better person.  Diagnosis is also very interesting. I know many people who have had many different diagnosis's for their illness over their lifetime. I think there is a very large grey line separating anxiety and depression. I have been diagnosed with GAD. I have no problem with the diagnosis because I do get very anxious at time. There are also times when the anxiety gets to me and I get depressed. Even the treatment for both conditions are so similar. I think a lot of people suffering anxiety get depressed and a lot of people suffering depression get anxious. You are right when you say that its not an easy journey. Its like being in a big hole trying to drag yourself out. Some days it seems like the walls are smooth and there is no way out. Other days you seem to find a step or two to lift you up a bit. If you have not found the right professional or medication yet, please don't give up. Once you do find the right combination, it will be like someone has put a ladder in the hole for you.

Kind Regards

Mbuna