Functioning again!

[Shazzba61]

I didn't think I could ever rejoin the workforce again. My panic attacks were out of control. It got so that I couldn't even leave the house or receive visitors.  I was so afraid of having a panic attack that the fear of having a panic attack would make me have a panic attack!!!  In the 1980's it seemed that GPs weren't very aware of symptoms of depression.  After many years of being prescribed sedatives I finally found a GP that recognised my symptoms as 'depression'! Only because his wife had suffered similar symptoms and he'd made it his business to understand it!   I thank God for this doctor even to this day because he set me on a course of treatment that made me feel normal again.  He prescribed some medication for depression.  I told this doctor that I am not depressed.!! . I don't feel sad at all!  He explained that there are multiple 'facets' of depression and that chronic anxiety, panic attacks, obsessiveness, unwelcome thoughts (intrusive thoughts) were all associated with       It and it comes from the brain lacking in certain chemicals  that can be replaced by medication. I asked the dr why I needed these chemical replacements for my brain and he explained that some times people are under  stress for such a long time ( either real or perceived ) that the glands that produce 'seratonin' . ...The stress relieving chemical... Is worn out and can't produce it anymore..it has to have some help to work again.   That's what anti depressants do.   So anyway I'm a 53 year old grandmother now and working and functioning normally only because of the anti depressants I take daily( 30 years now functional!!)

al e t 

[Neil_1]

Hi there Shazzba

Welcome to Beyond Blue and I’d really like to thank you so much for coming here and sharing your post.

30 years now functional is something you should be very proud of and yes, you explained the stress relieving chemical that is supposed to be produced, pretty much doesn’t for so many of us.  Hence the need for medication.

That is really great that you’ve been able to share your experience and if you feel so inclined it would be awesome if you are able to put some of your experience and advice to others who come here.  Just a thought.  🙂

Neil

[White_Rose]

Hello Shazzba

Thank you so much for your post and its positive message.  I have been taking ADs for a many years without any noticeable difference. This is mainly because I had such bad reactions to the medication. However, my GP prescribed an AD which I can tolerate and recently increased the dose.  It has been amazing. The lightness I feel, the ability to think more clearly, significantly reduced anxiety, and most of all the new joy of life. I do still have down times, but nothing like before. So yes, ADs can be immensely powerful. Add some decent counseling and I am back in the world.

I would like to echo Neil's comment about helping others who write in here. You never know when your words will touch someone at the critical moment.

Thank you for your post. I wish I had come across it earlier.

Mary