In no way did I take your posting as such. I agreed with what you said,i.e. it is an overused excuse, there are people who are anxious and exhibit it through somatic symptoms, etc. My concern was simply that the way the doctors use it, it becomes a catch all phrase, an excuse for them not to look any farther. If they would educate themselves they would better understand what they are looking for. You did, why can't they? No time...BS
I was impressed with your reasoning on how to separate the anxious from those who have symptoms, are anxious because of them, but are truly suffering. I have copied and pasted the part of your post I am speaking of:
The ones that I found most persuasive are 1) the complaints that are "global" and vague and constantly changing - hurting or numb all over without being able to pinpoint any differences (but, this can happen with people who are not very self-aware or who have poor skill in expressing themselves) 2) a patient's history that over years many complaints would come up and never be shown to have a cause, then would resolve only to be replaced by another, 3) the history that the symptoms dance around rapidly. Another big point here is that these people must never have suffered any kind of deterioration or disability related to their symptoms (but, of course this can be determined only in hindsight. This is not useful if you are looking at a disease which has a disappearing window for effective treatment.
My point in writing my post was to maybe? help someone determine if they are experiencing anxiety in the sense of an anxiety disorder, thereby, hopefully giving them the strength to get treatment and/or continue to fight for answers. there is no reason that the anxiety/depression or any other mental/physical disorder cannot co-exist with MS. Although listening to what doctors tell our forum family would lead you to believe otherwise.
One more thing I addressed the anxiety from the point of being a mental/ chemical imbalance disorder. I was pleased to find that sailorsong discussed it from the point of situational anxiety. For all tho I have a chemical imbalance, situational anxiety is as real as that caused by a chemical imbalance. The difference is usually as the situation resolves itself so does the anxiety. Mine walks with me 24/7...365 days a year. Also it is very true anxiety and depression are opposites sides of the same coin. We me the anxiety is more prevalent, I have had only had two episodes of what I would call clinical depression, lasting for more than two weeks.
So I want you to know I in know way think you were making light of the issue. My main point was that people like me who know they have anxiety tend to blame everything on the anxiety and that is as dangerous as letting a doctor send you away with a dx of it is all in your head.
Wishing well, terry
PS, I really worried about you when you fell. (Did I spell that right?)
Thank you so much for telling your story. I have never meant to make light of anxiety or of depression when I talk about symptoms. Anxiety disorders can literally suck your soul. I believe that people with anxiety disorders and depression can also have other problems and the dismissal of all things as being "just your nerves" is a lazy and shallow approach to practicing medicine.
You and Alisa show us that getting treatment for anxiety when it does exist can remake your life.
Quix
Terry -
Been there. Done that. I couldn't be happier since I begain treatment for anxiety. I am a different person. Living life with dread isn't life at all. Thanks for sharing your story.
- Alisa
Now, if only we could get doctors to understand this!
Blessings,
Sally
How kind of you to share something that is so personal in hopes that it may help others. I'm sure that was not easy for you and I wanted to thank you for doing that.
As Lulu said, and you have shown, anxiety/depression and other disorders can coexist.
Hugs
Moki
Thanks LuLu, That is all I wanted everyone to know. That and get treament if you have anxiety/depression, it won't change the MS symptoms. And if you don't have it or it is treated and you still have symptoms fight the good fight and make someone listen.
Hope you have a good day.
terry
Terry,
Thanks for sharing your own personal story. It is so important for others to understand that anxiety/depression and MS can dwell together in one body. Be well, Lulu
I left out the fact I agree with everything Quix said.