Do you have a history of...

[VaBreeze]

...anxiety/depression or other mental health disorder prior to having FMS/CFS?  Since this is a question of a personal nature, no response is necessary unless you would like to leave a comment.   I would like to compare the onset of anyone with anxiety/depression that began prior to becoming ill, to that which began after becoming ill.

[PlateletGal]

I actually believe that physicians should not be allowed to prescribe anti-depressants (for depression) until they've referred their patient to see a counselor first. Of course there would be some exclusions... people who have on-going depression and/or major depression issues.

As far as my anxiety, I rarely have issues with it now. But when my body is weakened and I have some stressful issue that comes up (as we all do), I tend to get anxiety symptoms. Its from my illness and usually because I'm pushing myself to do something I have to do, when I feel like I can't. And we need to remember that many of these "mental illnesses" are actually physical illnesses with the symptoms being called "mental". Autism, like fibro and CFS, is a neuro-immune illness and yet the symptoms of autism could be classified as "mental" symptoms.

[VaBreeze]

I was always the happy go lucky type too.  Sadly, I was convinced by physicians that my medical issues were due to depression.  Well yeah...I spent the better part of my life going from doc. to doc. not knowing what was wrong or why I continued to be sick.  That's enough to make anyone depressed.  

I do remember having the anxiety though, as I began having migraine headaches at an early age...they were brought on by tension (good and bad).  When I was in my 20's the headaches stopped, but I was highly stressed due to my son being chronically ill and my mother suffering from cancer for so long.  I kinda ran on 'red alert' 24/7 and that's not healthy for anyone.  

Thanks so much to everyone for participating.  Hope you all have a low-pain day.

Breeze

[PlateletGal]

I've had no psych problems prior to my CFS diagnosis. I still don't have psych issues, except anxiety... which I feel is due to my illness.  When I had mono at the age of 18, I was a happy go lucky teenager.... working part-time and attending college classes in the evenings. I'm still a happy go lucky person.

As far as the lack of understanding from the medical community and many years being undiagnosed.... I didn't let the physicians win. ; ^ )    I do have some anxiety that started years after having undiagnosed CFS. Without a doubt.... in my case, most of the anxiety was a physical symptom... caused by my illness. I'm actually reading more and more people on the MP site who have sarcoidosis, lupus and other illnesses who say that since their bodies are worn down (and their hormones as well), they have anxiety issues. I remember being at work and having heart palpitations, although I wasn't anxious ! Of course now I realize that the heart palpitations are commonly seen in CFS patients. One symptom that is common in CFS is restlessness.... I hate that symptom the most. Sometimes I'll wake up in the morning and feel restless and I have no clue why. Of course these illnesses wear down our bodies, our adrenals, thyroid and all of our defensives. They also involve our immune system... and little stresser that we have may affect us more than a healthy person. We just need to be conscious of this and do everything we can to make sure that the people in our lives are supportive.  

I cannot control other people, obviously. But if I run into a nurse or physician who questions the validity of "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome", I immediately start listing the FACTS.... one by one and research studies. That always seems to shut them up and/or make them say, "Wow... I had no idea !".

[supermomma531]

I remember being depressed or sad all of the time as a child. As I grew, I think that I became depressed. I always grew up feeling unwanted and watched the other 3 kids get all the attention while I was in the back ground. The only time it seemed like I would get attention was when there was something needed such as babysitting the others or cleaning the house. After I had my car accident 6 years ago, the pain really set in. At that time, I had two kids and was depressed and stressed out from having kids with no help from anybody. I still go through boughts' of depression at times now but I think that I am much better. I have had to be on any meds for a few years but sometimes I wonder or think about my past. Then I sometimes get depressed from remembering the past. Now I am stressed out and depressed about the fact that I cannot seem to get anywhere with the doctors. I'm not on any meds for pain right now. I hope to be soon. It really makes me angry when we feel like we're not believed about our issues.

[ladygeegee]

The depression came on from having less energy than everyone else , headaches all the time and pain. I was taking meds and still everyone else was better than me. I saw something on tv about depression and pain and said ok "this is why I have aches and pains etc. But after being on the cymbalta I still had pain and still no energy !!! Then last June "all" the syms of the fibro came on and then some......Who wouldn't be depressed!!!
After every test under the sun my rheumy says...It's just fibromyalgia and OA and some auto-immune, maybe....You gotta laugh to keep from crying all the time...lol
Sweet Hugs
Gee

[kiddthekatt]

My kids tell me that I am 1 fork shy of a full set at times............:) But I have never been or felt depression ever until after the onset of this disease. Dealing with pain 24/7 has been a nightmare.

gentle hugs
Angel

[VaBreeze]

Thank you for participating ladies.  

Hahaha Ruthy66...i've always been a Type A too.  No offense taken at all.  :-)  Sometimes our sense of humor is all we do have control over (oh boy...woohooo) lol. I find it helps me get through rough days.

[Ruthy66]

Depression runs in my family and I've always been high strung so I've been a mental case for quite awhile...hahahaha   (just poking fun at myself please don't take offense)

[tootiredinca]

My anxiety and depression are a direct result of living in constant pain.

[VaBreeze]

My anxiety/depression began when I became ill, but the lack of care and denial of the illness has certainly not helped these disorders.  After being told for so long that 'everything seems to look ok' I did begin questioning myself more.  Now I know better.