I'm wondering if you had gone to a shrink, if he would not have diagnosed you with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Which was my diagnosis.... so
But I've had that more times than I care to count in my life. I wanted to understand it.
It is a term thrown around lightly. But... as my doc explained to me... when a person hits 'fight or flight,' and stay in it for long-periods of time... the cortisol hormones elevate (for good reason), but once the stress actually passes... it cannot DEREGULATE itself. The effects of that inability to deregulate are of a legitimate concern in the medical community... because several diseases, infections, etc., can crop up FROM that... those things will be treated as is... but may never be linked to the root cause...
I know of no doctor that is willing to come out in public and claim this. However, that does not dismiss doctors who live in areas where they see this frequently and consistently. And they will tend to probe a bit further.
I live in an extremely economically depressed part of the state, and the docs here may sometimes be accused of 'veterinary' medicine... but they also know their clients and the prevailing stresses of the area. They will typically go in testing directions you wouldn't necessarily find in other parts of the state.
When I gave my doc my history... ALL of it... all he could say was... "sheeeet. Okay. Okay." He and my shrink talked often, too.
Not knowing anything other than you going through a severe stress... and the timing of it all... and given all the years of research I've been doing into this myself, as an armchair diagnosis that is utterly and completely unqualified... I'd say... you had PTSD.
I'm sure you are STILL experiencing lingering effects. (Or is that 'affects?' Lil? Hairdog?)
I, personally, am very hesitant to enter into any kind of Hormonal Therapy. I have all kinds of things going on. I am interested, first, to see what I can do with diet, lifestyle, and relaxation changes. The SSRI got me... 'leveled,' though I think Cac might disagree. I am most interested in diet changes right now. I'd encourage you to explore it as well. They have made AMAZING advances in the understanding of food/effects.
I would never underestimate how herbal supplements can cure one thing... truly... but then cause a problem somewhere else... after all, every medicine we have ever had was once based on some kind of herb or plant. Most 'homeopathic' medicines and supplements can make outrageous claims and not be bound to explain potential side effects, other than saying... 'consult with your physician before taking.' In fine print. At the bottom of the bottle.
So... Due Diligence. I guess I didn't hammer on the due diligence part, here... because I would never expect anyone here NOT to do due diligence. That was probably irresponsible of me.
