Posted by Greg on October 29, 2001, at 18:47:51
In reply to Is anxiety worse than depression FOR YOU, posted by PaulB on October 28, 2001, at 10:12:15
Paul,
Anxiety and depression are very different animals for me, both are very destructive, but in very different ways.
Anxiety debilitates me at it's worst. It leaves me incapable of functioning on any level. I sit and shake, I can't think or speak a rational sentence, I live in fear of contact with another human being. My heart pounds and I usually get a raging headache. Xanax fortunately will get these attacks under control and they don't happen as often as they used to. But, because I know I can take a pill and regain control, somehow I don't feel totally lost. I guess I know for me there's a rope dangling there to grab onto.
Depression washes over me slowly and I usually don't see it coming. It's just that sense of dread, that hopeless, helpless feeling I get that I can't explain to anyone. I feel like nothing I've ever done in my life has mattered or made a difference. Sometimes I get suicidal when I feel that way. I've thought of so many ways to end it. When I get like that, no med is going to help and I just have to ride it out and so far I have. There may come a day when I don't, who knows? My meds have helped a lot and I'm lucky that I don't get depressed very often. One thing I do know, I not afraid of death, and when the time comes. I'm ready.
So I guess the answer to your question for me is they're both bad, but I can control the anxiety, the depression I can't. So I guess that makes it worse. Bottom line for me is that I play the hand I've been dealt, what other choice do I have?
This was an good question, thanks for making me thing about it.
Greg
poster:Greg
thread:13064
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20011025/msgs/13130.html