How Do I Deal with Anxiety & Depression?

I’ve just recently come to terms that I do indeed have anxiety and depression. I was diagnosed a couple years ago, but have been in denial about it until this year. I was getting so confused about why I was so drained and down all the time and I noticed my heart would beat faster every time I was faced with a situation I wasn’t comfortable with. Then, it hit me, this is a real thing. I started reading online about other people who have this problem too and I realized I wasn’t the only one with these problems. The thing is, I don’t have money to see a therapist, I always hear weird things about taking medication, and I have no real friends to talk to anymore. If I told my family what was really going on, they would be heartbroken. They think I’m so normal, plus, they have four other kids to worry about and I don’t want to be a burden. I don’t know how to deal with this anymore. It keep getting worse and worse. Can anybody help? Thank you. x.

asked September 7, 2013

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Morgan

2 Answers

1 accepted

I think everybody's ways of coping with anxiety and depression are different. But I can advise you to not keep it locked up inside. Express it. This place can be a wonderful outlet for problems, a great place to vent. But I can also suggest creative outlets for your emotions, like art. They can be very empowering.It is very true that you're not alone :) Many people experience these problems, and through empathy and communication, you can both make others feel better, and help yourself out of this dark state. :)

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Alvana

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I suffered a similar problem when I was younger and it resurfaces from time to time. What I will say is just an opinion and don't take it as what you should think.I was really depressed and because I have 4 siblings and they looked to me to help them with their issues, I never let my problems surface... I remember just feeling like the world was a cold and dark place. I hated the night because it made me feel a loneliness that seems nightmarish to me now. I also used to (and sometimes still do) experience panic when I feel trapped, such as when I've made a bad irreparable situation. Feels like I'm having a heart attack.I was in a pretty bad place... but then I realized that... this life is an incredible thing. We aren't non-existant. We aren't an ant somewhere insignificant... we have some semblance of control over our lives... even if we don't control who we are, or what we look like... we control our decisions and over time we can control our outlook on life... it is precious and we only get one as far as we know. We should be making the most of it and not giving a thought to what stands in our way. So when I have an anxiety attack... I take deep breaths and think... I cannot change what has happened... but I can direct what is happening.I'm not saying everybody can do it. And of course sometimes your brain and body chemistry won't allow it. But if you decide that you want to make the most of life, and make actions to get what you want... similar positive thoughts will follow, and so too will positive results.

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Nathan