My Mental Health Status

I traveled quite a bit during my career and I would get severe anxiety a couple of days before I was going to leave for a trip. But it was part of my job so I sucked it up. I knew I would always be fine when I got to the airport so I just kept telling myself that. I told that to my therapist and she just said "you have separation anxiety" and didn't discuss it any further. :( I find that my anxiety is much less now that I'm retired and we only travel for vacation.
 

I've dealt with anxiety and depression my entire life, on and off (mostly on). I've been on meds on and off since I was a teen (I'm 72). Lately I was prescribed Lyrica (pregablin) for nerve pain and it has been more useful for my anxiety and depression, at this stage of my life, than most pysch meds (I'm no longer on any). I know it's being used for anxiety in Europe, but not so much here in the States, although I understand that some docs are using it off label for anxiety and depression. It's been kind of amazing for me. I take a relatively low dose (50 mgs 3 times a day). Might be worth a try.
Cognitive Behavior Therapy can be useful as well, but I've never had any kind of talk therapy work particularly well for me. I honestly think my mood and anxiety issues are beyond my control- they seem to run in my family- I'm pretty sure it's genetic in nature and are caused by some sort of biochemical quirk. I worked in mental health as a case manager/ social worker for years, and am pretty sure that it's out of most folks' control. I know what a struggle it is. Hope you find something that's helpful. The mental health system in this country is a joke and I say that as someone who has been on both sides of it. At least some of the stigma around talking about it is fading.
 

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