Depression and anxiety. Those two words can spark many different emotions for one person. For me, it is simply fear.

When I was 18 years old, I knew that something wasn't quite right. I was always so sad and unhappy. I never wanted to do anything with my friends and spent most of my days in bed. I found it hard to make myself get out of bed in the morning. Mentally, I was not okay. I had lost my smile. So my mom decided it was time to see the doctor.

I was told that I was suffering from depression. I think that the hardest part about hearing that was feeling like I was crazy. To try and help me deal with it, I was put on medication. It helped. I noticed a significant change in myself as did the people around me. However, a few years later, while at a check up with my doctor, I was telling her how I had been and where I was mentally. This is when I discovered that my issue was a little deeper than depression. Along with it came anxiety.

I was always worried about everything I went through. What were people thinking? Am I really crazy? Every time I was sick, I thought it was something serious or life threatening. The worst part was that I would have anxiety attacks in extremely crowded places. My chest would begin to tighten and I was feel like I couldn't breathe. The room would start spinning and I had to immediately walk away and get some space. So my medication was changed and it is helping.

Despite all of this, I still mildly suffer from my anxiety. Being that it runs in my family, I have had a lot of help from my mom. She helps me to get through things that I never thought I could, including times when my anxiety gets the best of me. She recently found an article that offers some helpful tips for managing anxiety symptoms. Some have helped me so I thought I would share with you.

  • Explain and Exaggerate your fear to a close friend
  • Stay away from any kind of self-diagnosing websites
  • Put your body to work by working out of running
  • 4-7-8 breathing (breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 7 and out for 8)
  • Distract yourself for 15 minutes
  • Take time to simply close your eyes and relax
  • Reward yourself after doing something that scares you

Most importantly, always remind yourself that your are beautiful, unique, strong and worth it. These things may not seem like much, but they have proven to be successful in some cases.

For those of you who suffer from depression/anxiety, I salute you. Please know that, no matter how it may seem, you are never alone in your struggle.

Much love,

Terryn

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