Anxiety vs. Depression...Which is it?

[dadinTN]

Just thought I'd pass along some comments from my first meeting with a therapist...

A little background...I went to my MD after feeling anxious and fatigued for about a week period.  My heartrate was up, BP was higher than normal, tightness in chest, etc.  It turns out I was healthy and he released me, thinking I did have some mild anxiety.  A panic attack later, he put me on celexa and thought it was a good idea to talk to a psychologist (I had just had my 3rd child over the holidays and was under a lot of stress he thought i should talk through).

After 1 visit with a therapist, I do see the benefits.  If nothing else, you quickly learn that you are NOT ALONE and it is very normal for people to have ups and downs.  Some of us just handle things differently than others.  I was a little surprised that my symptons were teetering on the fence of anxiety and depression as I would have bet the house I had anxiety only.  I now understand the 2 or bascially intertwined and don't feel ashamed to think I have 1 or the other.

I don't know if it makes a difference, but many here might be in the same boat as me...not wanting to admit their anxiety is possibly a little more depression or vice versa.  Regardless, we are not alone and can get help to live normal lives again.

Good luck and God Bless

[Beewoman]

Thanks to you both for some excellent advice.  I am at long last ready to take the step to get "professional" help and start living my life again.  I have 3 wonderful children and a caring husband and great friends and I owe it to them and myself to start feeling rather than pretending to be positive again.

I am going to call my ob/gyn who is a lovely person whom I completely trust and find out who she recommends, chances are she has come across this situation before (I have endocrinological problems) and that probably does not help my anxiety.

Thanks again, you guys are the best!

[cj29]

I would have to agree.  For me, finding the right therapist is a matter of trial and error sometimes.  Some people prefer psychiatrists while others prefer psychologists and still others like therapists; it all really depends on who you are comfortable with and who you can make progress with.  I would just stress paitence while going through this process...you WILL get through it..keep us posted!

[dadinTN]

Beewoman:

I started to think and wondered if I answered your questions....

I would recommend a couple of places.  Your MD is a definite starting place for psychologist recommendations...they can probably recommend ones that take similar insurance if that is an issue.

I would also recommend talking with anyone you know has had any similar problems.  They might not have seen a therapist, but they may have known someone who did.  A think a therapist (or restaurant or movie) a friend recommends automatically gives you a little comfort and hope.

Finally, if you are (or aren't) a church goer, I'd find someone I could talk to there.  Churches deal with down and out folks every second of every day.  If they don't have some type of person that specifically helps the situation, there will be someone in the congregation or community they can lead you to

[dadinTN]

Beewoman:

I relied on my MD immediately to help get me under control but did ask for a list of recommended psychologists.  I'm new to this and my be speaking out of ignorance, but me and my MD felt a psychologist could help me with talk therapy and finding the root of my problem.  A psychiatrist only on the other hand would be more interested in treating me with meds.....With that said, there may be some psychiatriasts who are psychologists and vice versa.

Bottom line, you need to find someone that deals with people who have depression/anxiety issues because they will KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH.  You'll know you've found the right person when they can describe the feelings you are having, and give you promise that it will get better.

I was extremely lucky in that I remember a good friend who confided in me years ago that they were depressed.  Of course, at the time, I probably just said..."i'm sorry" but thought in my mind that he just needed to get over it.  I actually ran into him during this period, felt kind of ashamed, but got up the courage to ask him about it.  I felt IMMEDIATE relief as he knew exactly what I felt like.  He had gone through therapist after therapist until he found one he was comfortable with.  I saw the same person yesterday, and didn't have to do all the leg work.

As odd as it sounds, letting people I know and love has been the best thing for me as I've discovered I am surrounded by people who have had similar rough patches in their lives.  Heck, I found out my sister has been on meds for 4 years.  As a male, I hated the thought of letting the people I work with know I was having issues....once I confided with a few people, I learned that 3 of them are on meds for similar things.  I'm not necessarily suggesting you blab to everyone, but you'll be amazed at the support you can get from those around you.

Not there yet, but on my way!  

[Beewoman]

Thanks to both of you for your comments.  I have been a member of this forum for over a year now and I thought I was suffering from Anxiety but had not made the connection that depression could also be involved.  Just reading your threads made me realize that they can go together and that is probably why I am now feeling depressed more than anxious and really do not know what to do about it.

I do not take medication and have seen no-one about how I feel.  In fact MD has been my lifeline since the summer and I am starting to think that I should DO something instead of just putting up with the yo-yo on a daily basis.

Where do I start?  Do I go to my doctor?  Do I go and find a physchologist or is it a psychiatrist?  or is it a therapist/coach?

[cj29]

I agree with you wholeheartedly that these two are very intertwined.  With me, the anxiety came first and through losing my self identity depression did follow.  However, as you said, none of of us alone in this and this is VERY 'treateable' if learned and confronted over time.  Shame can also come with it as well, but there is no shame in confronting a problem; in fact is the EXACT opposite and I am so glad that you are already feeling better!  Please keep involved in this forum and welcome to the community!