Wow I feel for you guys, I never realized what so many of you are going through, kuddos to you all for working so hard at it.
I am lucky since I have never had anything close to what I would say was a panic attack or a bout of depression, but it surrounds me as both my sister's and my DH's family have severe problems. I admit that I have a hard time understanding why they just can't get a grip and I am sure you all have people in your life that feel that way, but I am now realizing that people just can't always get a grip and much of this is hereditary and seems to get worse with age. My BIL is bipolar and tried to kill himself twice, his brother was BP as well as delusional and had to live in a group home later in his life, their mom and some of their other siblings have varying degrees of mental issues as well. My DH's family is the same. My husband is extremely high functioning but went through bouts of anxiety and panic attacks and now takes some meds that I wish he could get off. I say that because I know his lifestyle contributes to the anxiety problems but he is unwilling to do ANY behavior modifications. His father also had panic attacks in his younger years. My SIL is now on disability for severe anxiety, she has a degree from Purdue but can not keep the most basic of retail jobs, and almost went off the deep end when her long term therapist moved out of town. I saw first hand how hard it was for her to do basic tasks, I asked her to slice a small brick of cheddar, it took her an hour and she agonized over if she was doing it correctly the whole time. The most heartbreaking case is my MIL she is SEVERLY depressed, and has spent much of the last ten years in bed crying in spite of numerous medications, shock therapies and counseling. I tried for many years by sending cards, little gifts offering to do things for her but I finally gave up and we saw very little of her in the last 15 years. She has two westies and I believe that might be the only thing that keeps are going. My husband's family has never been close and his dad is a really bad nasty, controlling tyrant so it was not like my family where I could just show up if my mom was ill. Between the mom being so uninterested in seeing her family and the dad being so awful we wound up having a falling out with him about 2 years ago and have not spoken with them since. I am not sure if times have changed or if people are able to talk about it more or what but I feel like half of the people I know are on some type of medication for depression or anxiety.
I wish you all luck as you deal with your struggles. |