It seems like forever since I have written anything; writers block is a real thing. All is well on my end, and I hope this blog finds you well on this beautiful day God has blessed us with. As most of you probably know, my wife Crystal is the Pastor at my church. This morning she talked about anxiety and how many, many Americans are suffering from it. I have to say I can relate, as I am on medication for anxiety, depression and panic attacks.

I remember a long time ago when my doctor at UNC started me on meds for my depression and panic attacks. I had to go through tests at my primary care to rule out other breathing issues. Once other issues were ruled out they knew I was having panic attacks. The meds did help me, but after a while I requested to stop taking the meds because I felt I had overcome the depression and panic attacks.

So, I was no longer going to UNC Hospital because Crystal and I had moved to Maryland; we found a Psychiatrist close by and I started seeing him once a month. Upon seeing him more, I noticed he let me have a say in my meds which was weird since I was not a psychiatrist and a paranoid schizophrenic. Anyway, I got him to take me off the anti-depressant because it made me feel groggy.

I went several years without taking a anti-depressant and I had no problem with depression or panic attacks. It was only until recently that I had to go back on an anti-depressant as I was getting depressed and having panic attacks again, but is it any wonder with the world we live in? I mean it is chaotic; okay, perhaps the cancer treatment I went through had something to do with my psyche. The depression and anxiety came out of nowhere it seemed; I felt fine overall until I would have an online meeting with my doctors at UNC, which is where I went back to a few years ago, and I would get upset and have that unmistakable feeling of a panic attack.

I am not sure how all this came about; like I said, I felt I was doing fine. I felt I handled 2020 and the COVID-19 Pandemic very well, so I think my doctor hit the nail on the head when he said I had been through a lot dealing with my cancer diagnosis and then dealing with treatment. My doctor even suggested talking to a therapist online; however, I did not feel like I wanted to talk to a stranger about my feelings and issues. I would rather work things out on my own with my wife’s support and my faith in Jesus to be there for me.

Things seem to be going well now; there is nothing more than the stress of day to day living. I thank God for my faith, and I thank my doctors at UNC, and of course I thank my wife for her support.

If you or someone you know is dealing with depression or anxiety, please let your primary care doctor know and encourage those you know who are struggling to get help. Life can be short, so there is no use to struggle with sadness and fear.

I pray for all of you: I pray you have the courage to take care of your mental health. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Take care and God bless!