On Monday, February 12, 2018, “When Is It My Turn?” on newclevelandradio.net will proceed in a new direction.  Although we will still discuss from time to time the raising and supporting a special needs family member our focus will be on the individuals as we address the anxieties and depressions in our lives.

Everyone suffers from these conditions, but we all approach anxiety and depression in our manner.  Some of us are taught to ignore it (very difficult and for most of us impossible.)  Others are trained to let it grab you and take you down a dark, lonely tunnel.  Others express it and claw their way out of it.  But too often most of us don’t even know what IT is!

I have suffered from these conditions most of my life. However, my mother would not allow it, and she refused to acknowledge that what I was experiencing wasn’t much more than a temporary mood swing or her child being a “drama queen.”  I am not blaming my mother for not understanding because mental illness (anxiety and depression fall into that category,) was not something that was discussed, specifically among ‘good families.’

It wasn’t until the last couple of years (within the last 7) that I even realized what I have been suffering from my whole life.  I’ve been told I wear my heart on my sleeve and I am too sensitive.  I have been blamed for feeling moody at times when I could not even explain why I was feeling the way I was.  For most of my life, I have felt like the square peg that needed to fit into the round hole, and I thought I was alone.

Surprise!  40 Million adult Americans suffer from these disorders.  Statistically, only 36.9% are receiving treatment.  “Anxiety disorders develop from a complex set of risk factors, including genetics, brain chemistry, personality, and life events.”  So how can you or I be blamed for what we are feeling?

I am starting a series on this internet platform (newclevelandradio.net) to discuss anxiety and depression.  I recently fell back into those confused feelings that have been trying to draw me in.  I am back in therapy and taking medication.  Not only is there a genetic component in my history but brain chemistry as well.  I will also admit life events hit me hard and losing my mother a little over a year ago is still affecting me.  My life changed drastically, and I will share more in our series.

Please contact me at [email protected] if you would like to be part of this healing series.