It was the happiest day of your life when your HRT informed you that you have been selected as the ‘Best sportsman of the year’. You are thrilled as now you will receive the award at the Annual Day Celebrations. Make a diary entry recording your feelings in it. (100-120 words)
Answers
Starting with a Psychiatrist
It took me some time to get in to see a psychiatrist but I was finally able to get an appointment. We discussed what was happening with me and he immediately started me on an antidepressant and anti-anxiety medication. He also made an appointment for me to meet with a therapist. I went home and started my treatment, hoping things would improve. And they did, at least for a little while.
Therapy was helpful and my psychiatrist was determined to do everything he could to help me resolve my anxiety. I had periods of time, up to three or four months, when I felt okay but inevitably, those good times would come to an abrupt end. The triggers were always such little things, like talking about getting a new pet or simply moving some furniture around. But it would send me into a tailspin. The anxiety would come rushing back over me like a wave and I was drowning in it. I would rush back to my doctor, who would add a new medication or increase an old medication. I would see my therapist as soon as possible and try to talk things out. And again, it would get better for a while, then worse, then better…and so on and so on. This went on for several years and I tried to accept that this was going to be my life from now on.
As long as I can remember, I’ve always had a bit of anxiety. But my real journey with anxiety started about six years ago when we moved into a new house. This should have been a happy experience for my family, but instead, I had a complete emotional breakdown. The anxiety was overwhelming. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t eat, I lost over 15lbs in 2 weeks. I would just sit for hours, trying to keep it together only to end up falling apart. There was no joy, only fear and pain. And I wasn’t the only one suffering. My husband and my two young children watched my struggle. I knew I had to do something, and fast.