Dealing with the reality of separation

[PeteWyo]

I also used to think of it as a weakness and was reluctant to take meds. Then my doctor put it to me in a way that I'll never forget. He said "some people have asthma, some have allergies, you have anxiety/panic disorder". People have to take meds for those other things right?

I never looked at it that way before. I never recognized it as a physical illness. That is why I always thought that I could get it under control all by myself. I know now that isn't the case. The saddest part is that I know my wife doesn't believe that it is a real thing and that I was using that as an excuse as to why I didn't want to do certain things. I remember, she told her mom once that she didn't need to be on anxiety meds either and that it was all in her head.

If it's effecting your daily life for an extended period of time (which it sounds obvious it does) you should be taking something for it. You may only have to take it for a year or two. Zoloft or something similar (SSRI or SNRI)is what you need. Keep in mind these drugs work differently for different people so you may have to try a couple.

It could be one less thing on your plate moving forward, and if you can get it under control I'm sure it will help to keep your focus on your DBing efforts.

Well I am going to my GP on Tuesday and my IC tomorrow. I am going to see what they have to say about it. Hopefully I can get on something that will help me live a normal life. Cor, I know you mentioned that you had similar anxiety. Did you find an SSRI that helped you? Were you able to function normally after that if you did? I just wish I could get to the place where I was comfortable with who I am and right now I don't know who that person is. I am figuring it out though