HAPPY ENDING TO A SAD CASE OF DEPRESSION
by Autumn Drouin, ND
This play on word is the truth. It is sad that, for a long time, this patient remained undiagnosed and suffering.
Depression and its many symptoms are common. Patients may be undiagnosed because they function adequately and don’t know they are depressed.
Mila is the perfect example, she was unaware her low energy and low mood were symptoms of clinical depression. She had a long history of fatigue. As she had held two jobs for many years and had recently sold her own business which was a lengthy and tiring process, her fatigue was understandable.
She had consulted many alternative and conventional practitioners. Unfortunately, the word “depression” was not in her vocabulary when referring to herself. After taking her history, listening to her symptoms, and doing a Neurotransmitter Test, she received treatment.
As you read Mila’s story, ask yourself if you are as happy and joyful as you once were or could be. Professional help can help rule-out depression and appropriate treatment prescribed if necessary.
In Mila’s own words, seven weeks after starting treatment, here are the symptoms which have improved:
- Sadness, anxiety, confusion, frustration.
- Fatigue and absolute need for afternoon nap.
- The sense “there is something wrong with me”.
- Dislike of speaking on the phone and socializing. I just thought I was a loner.
- Lack of self confidence. Social awkwardness.
- Poor memory: forgetting words, names, where I left things or parked my car.
- Unfounded fears.
- People reacting negatively to me.
- I’ve recovered my sense of humor, I make people laugh.
- Shyness. Now comfortable speaking to people, even strangers.
- Absentmindedness.
- Obsessive compulsive behavior.
- Lack of OR excess of empathy.
- Loneliness.
- Waking up with anxiety EVERY morning.
- Poor sleep, bad dreams..
- Excessively self-conscious.
- Disorganized.
- Difficulty planning.
- Difficulty making decisions.
- Poor physical balance and coordination. Clumsiness.
- I now feel more secure, more open to new ideas and new people.
- I now recognize negative thoughts as just that, and give them less significance.
- I no longer push the panic button as readily and if I do I recover much faster.
- My performance in sports has improvement.
- I am more creative and playful. I make people laugh.
- My list of “to do” has become a list of “done”.
Like a noise I got used to and didn’t notice until it stopped, I was unaware of some of the above symptoms until they improved.The cloud of depression I had been living under gradually lifted and now I feel happy, joyful and balanced.