@mamacita
I have been living with generalized anxiety since I was a young child. I didn't know about it at the time. When I started therapy as an adult, the therapist identified it. I thought I was just a mama's girl. I was, but when I would have an anxiety attack and my heart would race and my body quiver uncontrollably, it was my mom that I wanted and who soothed me.
Sadly, I am guessing that doctors did not know about young children and anxiety. We were just 'acting like a baby.' My parents certainly didn't know and if they did, I think they would have been of the mind to 'shake it off.' Not because they didn't love me, but because you didn't talk about psychological illnesses.
In reality, my dad had both anxiety and depression. From what I remember and/or understood, it made itself known when my mother was diagnised with terminal lung cancer (non smoker for her, smoker for my dad). His psychological issues worsened after my mother passed. On top of that, he had the starts of dementia and he was addicted to sleeping pills.
So i come by my issues honestly, only I've had NO issues discussing meds, therapy or my symptoms. Two other people in my family also come honestly by it...my son and daughter.
My daughter has shown symptoms of depression. When she was 3, after her brother was born, it got worse. So much so, that when he started walking, she'd throw him down in order to hurt him. By 5 years old, I had her in therapy. She continued on and off throughout adulthood. BTW...her husband also suffers from anxiety. He had a severe attack while driving and had an accident. He had glass all over him and his car was totaled.
They have a beautiful child. Last week my daughter told me she is concerned that her daughter is not happy. This is how my daughter was, too. My daughter wants to take her for therapy, my granddaughter does not want to go. She is 7 now and was in therapy wgen shecwas 4. I am glad my daughter finally noticed because it was something I saw and told her about a while ago. So we shall see. My daughter and son in law are both on meds and doing very well.
Now for my son. He didn't start to show signs if anxiety about 4byesrscago, in his mid 30s. He did go to docs because his attacks made him feel like he was dying. He had every body part checked and they were all fine. He was disappointed with...you guessed it, anxiety. He s awww a therapist and a psychiatrist for meds. He had a HORRIBLE time with the meds. He gave them a goid shot but whatever was tried didn't help. Over the last several months he has weaned himself off the meds. He is doing oils, but I don't remember which ones. He does want a med to take when needed for an attack. The psychiatrist said she would not give him anything unless he wentbon full time, which he won't. She was holding him hostage. He finally got the name of another doc but he has to wsit until January. In the meantime, he only has a few pills left and is afraid to take them and be left with nothing. So what happens? Two weeks ago he and his family were together with friends. He got a VERY severe attack. He didn't want to take a pill. Eventually he did but it was really too late. The attack was one of his worst. We told him NEVER do that again. Take the meds when you need it and if he runs out, go to the ER.
It so sad and I feel so bad that my children and at least one grandchild inherited this much the same way as I did from my dad.
People often ask what happened? What were you doing or thinking to set this off? Too much stress at work? At home? Etc? It doesn't have to be anything, it just is and many people who don't have it or live with it understands. We can't just pull up our 'big girl panties.'
Sorry for such a long response, I am a wordy person.
Here's to peaceful mental health.
Ronnie (Grandmar)