Mental and physical health - anxiety, depression

[PamelaR]

Hi everyone!
Would love to hear from anyone who has a story to tell about managing their lives.

Some important learnings for me about my anxiety and depression. Over the past year I have had significant episodes of heightened anxiety and the following depression. There have been a number of things that have been happening which I put these down to:

• getting a medical procedure done
• learning to be a retiree
• worrying about where money was going to come from and how to live with very little

However, there was one thing that I really didn't consider, even though it happened last year too. I have a low functioning thyroid and early last year, after I went to the doctor with severe anxiety and depression, and had my annual blood tests done it was found my thyroid medication needed adjusting. After a month or more, my mental health returned to normal.
Then, recently the same thing started happening. So I learnt my lesson and went to the doctors and had my test down. I've now had a recall, so I wait for the results. My thoughts are I have to reduce my thyroid medication even further. Have to wait till Monday to find out.
What I think is important (especially for me), is not to second guess or try to diagnose myself. For instance, my anxiety is up because I'm having severe palpitations, my nerves are so bad I can't settle down or I'm perspiring significantly. These can also be symptoms of too much thyroid medication when my system doesn't need it.
The strategy is to - get it checked out by a doctor, no matter how much one thinks it could be due to anxiety or depression or PTSD.
I see many posts in the forums where people give us their symptoms and ask us what our thoughts are, or what our advice is. Please get it checked out by your doctor! There could be any number of reasons for the symptoms I've talked about above.

Does anyone else have a story to tell about staying well?

Kind regards

PamelaR

[Soberlicious96]

Hi Pamela,

In order for me to stay well, I need to be mindful of what's going on for the whole of me - as in, my mind, my body and my emotions. Usually for me, unwellness begins in my mind, with what I call 'stinking thinking'. If I'm thinking 'stinky' kind of thoughts such as angry, judgemental, intolerant or egotistical ones (and I'm sure there are plenty more to add) then that tends to lead the way to 'stinky' behavior; as in becoming lazy and not doing any exercise, and eating all the wrong foods.

Recently I went to the doctor to ask to go on a lower dose of my puffers, and she said I could stop taking them altogether, but also to keep an eye on how I go. ..... well, I got all excited and didn't have any for about 6 days or so, but then found myself feeling wheezy and tight-chested. so now, I am back on my preventative puffer. But still at a nice low dose.

So yeah, for me being well means paying attention to ALL of myself - my mind, body and soul.

And just for today, I'm doing very well! I walked just over 7.5 kilometres yesterday, have done my food shopping for today, which consists of salads and fruit and meat. And tonight, I'll be heading out to catch up with some of my spiritual fellowship friends.

I am so grateful for the live I have today. 🙂