Oh Sam,

It is a sad day when one reads a Post such as yours from one so young.

First of all, do not think for a minute you are without help. Be patient with your Therapy - I know that is difficult and an unusual concept for some these days - you have just started and it takes time to get to the root of the issues. The more complex, the longer it takes. The same will apply to meds, these things take time.

I can guarantee you are not the only young person going through issues such as this. Our Sister Site has many young Members with a whole range of issues. That does not reduce the seriousness of your condition, though. I went through my whole adolescence suffering with undiagnosed Depression and low level Anxiety which blew up into my first Panic Attack out of the blue when I was 21. Times have changed since then. Treatments, Therapy and meds, have come a long way and it is shown that early intervention brings the most positive results.

Please try to look on this as the start of a healing journey, one we are all supporting you on. It will be long, it may be difficult, but you will come out of it a stronger young man.

Dave.

Sam,

You are definitely not alone and there is help. I agree with Dave that you are at the beginning of the journey. The last year has been a cross to bear but I wouldn't lump that in with today. You are on the first steps of your road to healing and it will take time. It is natural to be frustrated and sick to death of how you're feeling. I know a year of your life must feel like forever, but I assure you this is not permanent. Expect improvement to be gradual. It may be that sometime soon you notice that you are feeling more connected than you do now and you won't even know exactly when or how it came about.

Don't let go of the future Sam. Come and vent when you need to. It is okay to give a voice to your feelings of frustration but let them move on through and start in a better place tomorrow.

Don't give up Sam. I know your current state must feel demoralizing, but you have resources at hand now. Things will begin to get easier in time. Continue to look forward to your therapy appointments. Stay motivated. Fight for a good, quality life for yourself.

Thinking of you

Dear Sam

I am a parent of four
Each grow on their own my seventeen year old
lives home with me and my granddaughter
Granddaughter because mom is still on a road she chooses to travel alone
As if her network of those who know exactly where she is and how she chooses to deal with life
Still hope that she will reach out and stick it out for however long it takes

Furthermore my seventeen year old I have had to withdraw her from school
After almost a year and a half she has been attending a program to help her in this very real world
She is due to be picked up today
Every Wednesday
It has taken this amount of time with continued help as she comes home
When she does she is energized
So powered up
Can't wait to share with me how it went
She has maintained sobriety
Now to the part that is real work
And she likes it
Not at first
But it's been so long that she is a participant
Persons seek her out for advice
There is so much she still needs the program
And I support you in your new found reason to go and the the
F***ing turd out of what has taken a hold on you
You and only you have the strength to kick the **** out of it ALL
once and for all
And like the others say
As I am a patient with a shrink for over five years now
It takes TIME to sort it all out
TIME something you still have
I have my money on you
Keep fighting the fight
You are not alone
No matter how much it feels like it
You family has your back
There aren't many who can say that
Love
Me

Hey guys,


I had my second appointment at therapy today and...


I've officially been diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and Depersonalization!


She said that the diagnoses can always change, and that if I overcome GAD with therapy then it could just be DP, and if I overcome DP it will just be nothing!


Sorry if I seem happy about this, I know I shouldn't be but to finally be able to say there IS something wrong with me and I'm not crazy is just so uplifting.


And the other great thing, is that they are both very treatable! I understand it will take time, but my therapist said that it is almost guaranteed I can become completely normal again.


Next appointment I will be starting to learn strategies and begin trying to heal with therapy. I've been logging my anxiety and DP to see when my highs and lows are if there is a pattern. I also have an appointment with a psychiatrist in the future for looking into medication.



Getting diagnosed with something makes me a little happier. But still, I feel awful and school is awful. I'm going to have to wait forever to feel better.

Hi Sam,

I understand what you mean about the diagnoses being happy news. It does sound kinda funny though.

Often getting a diagnosis is a relief. It can be so much more frustrating and worrisome not knowing. Having validation of what you've been going through is very powerful. And you're right, these are both treatable, which is great. It's so good you have an appointment with psychiatry too. That way you have them on board already if needed.

But hey, don't project a forever timeline onto getting better. Most people respond to therapy with some improvement in a few sessions.

Hey Sam,

Ditto to what Littlepaw said…

Just apply yourself and stay positive, but do be patient and work hard through all the Therapy steps. You are very low, you have a long journey, but you have started on that road now.

Dave.

It is extremely common for people searching for answers to be relieved when they get a diagnosis, even if it is an unpleasant one. It is validation that their symptoms, and suffering, is real…

In your case you have more to be happy about because you have been given hope. It's wonderful that your therapist is confident that your conditions will respond so well to treatment!

I'm so glad that you are going to be documenting your symptoms and looking for patterns. This will be a very helpful tool in the therapy process.

I know that life, and school in particular, is painful for you right now, but try to be patient and stay positive. While your life is not going to do a 180 in a few sessions, it may start to improve soon.

Good luck with your recovery little dude... :-)

You are a very brave young man
It will be interesting to know what wonderful progress can be made
Remember Sammy
It is good to know
However it does not make it any easier
You know what the fight is
And you have chosen to fight the fight
And you are certainly walking the walk
You stand tall
Push that chest out and be proud of who you are
And never letting anyone ever tell you anything other than what
you know to be true
You are a brave young man
A very brave young man
It is time for healing
And know you are working at getting some answers
It will take work
Something you are up for
I have such hope for you
Stay strong
You made this happen
Don't you ever forget that
A proactive brave young man
Be well Sam
Enjoy life
Make sure you pay attention to when you begin to smile
I can see it already
Many good wishes for you
Love
Me