While I was diagnosed with depression for 12 years ago (and certainly had it for much longer than that), only recently was I told that it was "atypical" depression. The way it was simply explained to me, Atypical Depression is Depression mixed with boughts of anxiety. I get anxious and the fight or flight feeling simply doesn't turn off the way it would in others (and I can make a BIG mountain out of a small hill...and it feels just as bad cause perception is reality).
You know that feeling that you have when you can't find your car in the parking lot and you think it has been stolen? You know that feeling of releaf when you see the car and how that anxiety starts to melt away? Imagine that feeling not turning off...almost like a car stuck in gear. Now mix that with depression. Special isn't it?
For me the answer is medication and counseling as my depression is both chemical and emotional. I have chemical depression with situational triggers, like being without a job. You need to work with a counselor to learn what is triggering your atypical depressive episodes. There is no shame in it. If you were lacking in iron, you wouldn't be embarrassed to take iron pills. If you need a drug in order to augment a chemical that is not present in your body or if you are in need of emotional support, there is no shame at all. I don't mind telling friends what I have or what I'm dealing with. I am proud that I am strong enough to do what I need to do. Everyone has their own challenges in life. Some are just harder to see than others. We are fortunate that we can work to overcome Atypical Depression. Stand Strong!!!
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While I was diagnosed with depression for 12 years ago (and certainly had it for much longer than that), only recently was I told that it was "atypical" depression. The way it was simply explained to me, Atypical Depression is Depression mixed with boughts of anxiety. I get anxious and the fight or flight feeling simply doesn't turn off the way it would in others (and I can make a BIG mountain out of a small hill...and it feels just as bad cause perception is reality).
You know that feeling that you have when you can't find your car in the parking lot and you think it has been stolen? You know that feeling of releaf when you see the car and how that anxiety starts to melt away? Imagine that feeling not turning off...almost like a car stuck in gear. Now mix that with depression. Special isn't it?
For me the answer is medication and counseling as my depression is both chemical and emotional. I have chemical depression with situational triggers, like being without a job. You need to work with a counselor to learn what is triggering your atypical depressive episodes. There is no shame in it. If you were lacking in iron, you wouldn't be embarrassed to take iron pills. If you need a drug in order to augment a chemical that is not present in your body or if you are in need of emotional support, there is no shame at all. I don't mind telling friends what I have or what I'm dealing with. I am proud that I am strong enough to do what I need to do. Everyone has their own challenges in life. Some are just harder to see than others. We are fortunate that we can work to overcome Atypical Depression. Stand Strong!!!
August 19, 2008 - 4:19pmThis Comment
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