I read that it was tradition to do an introduction post here on Steemit, so here goes.
My name is Lindsay. I was born in 1995 making me a member of the Millennial generation. Recently I received my BA in Psychology. I also suffer from GAD (Generalized Anxiety Disorder) and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), which have made it really hard for me to integrate into society.
Generalized Anxiety Disorder is a severe anxiety disorder that interferes with day to day life function causing unnecessary feelings of fear or rapid thoughts. It can cause irritability, lack of sleep, lack of concentration, and makes it almost impossible to do anything in society the way society is designed.
PTSD is a disorder people often associate with Veterans. They are the reason we have learned a lot more about the disorder, but it can be found in anyone who has experienced a traumatic event. This can include being abused, being in war, or being in an accident. The best definition can be found on the Mayo Clinic website as “a disorder in which a person has difficulty recovering after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.” It can last from months to years. The symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, unwanted memories, and often heightens pre-existing anxiety and depression.
I was diagnosed with both of these disorders about five years ago. This past year I was also diagnosed with Depression, which I had never been diagnosed with before. You may be wondering why I am sharing this information as a part of my introduction? As I have gone through therapy in this last year my therapist recommended I begin writing about the reality of living with mental illness. I plan to use Steemit for sharing some of my thoughts and experiences living with these disorders, and the struggles that are found in trying to integrate into society, in hopes that writing will help with the healing process.
I am not a medical professional, but I do have a lot of personal insight regarding anxiety disorders from living with them daily. I also learned much about them while obtaining my Bachelor's in Psychology from the University of Maine, Presque Isle. Someday, as a counselor or in a professional capacity, I hope to help others who struggle with these disorders. For now I am hoping that my posts will allow others living with mental illness to know that they are not alone, and maybe my posts will help break some of the stigma surrounding mental illness.
Thank you for taking the time to read this introduction. I look forward to your feedback and writing more in the future.
Links are provided below to give more information on the disorders listed above:
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Generalized anxiety disorder
Clinical depression: What does that mean?
Welcome to Steemit, Lindsay! We have a lot in common from what I've read! I was diagnosed with the same disorders (GAD and PTSD.) a few years back and have worked hard to overcome a many of the difficulties that go along with living with PTSD.
I'm also studying to acquire a Bachelor's degree in Psychology so that's another thing in common. I'm in my first year and sometimes I wonder why I'm still doing it but then I am reminded I wanted to help others who have experienced some of the same life experiences as myself, such as domestic violence and sexual assault.
I think it's great to share your thoughts with others and am glad you're here on Steemit.
The reason I got into Psychology for similar reasons and questioned the direction for a long time. It helped me learn a lot about myself and allowed me to be more self aware but also I learned a lot about others. I plan on going back to school and concentrating on counseling but I am taking a year or two to resettle in my skin and continue working through my anxiety.
I think it's great that you want to help others and if you felt the need to take a break from your studies, then by all means you should. Whatever works best for you! I have been at my university since this past July and am really just getting started, we haven't gone into too much details on the disorders yet, mainly introductory courses.
Nice profile photo, by the way! =)
The intro courses are always really fun but it shows you how broad of a subject psychology is and the different ways to use it and different fields to go into.
I have zero clue which direction I super want to go. I want to help people I know that.
Also thank you!
Welcome to Steemit, Lindsay! Looking forward to your future posts. This is the first time I've heard about GAD. Great post!.
Felicitaciones, sigue con tus sueños.
Welcome to Steemit! Looking forward to your next post.
Welcome to Steemit! Hope you feel at home here. Followed, upvoted, and resteemed. Look forward to sharing your journey. Congrats on your recent graduation! May blessings of fulfillment and success abound!
Thank you very much!