Yesterday my oldest son left for Iraq. It’s feels very sad and depressing. It also causes me a lot of anxiety knowing he is in harm’s way. I will have him on my mind and in my heart and can only hope I will continue to function in a normal manner while he is gone.
I have a lot of admiration for Sarah Palin who sent her son to Iraq during her Vice Presidential campaign recently. I wondered at the time how she could continue campaigning in the public eye when her heart had to be filled with pain. I guess we all go through difficult things and keep on going…….if we are strong enough.
I have three other children and two wonderful grandchildren. I am trying to focus my attention on giving them a good Christmas this year in spite of the dire economy. I’ve been staying very busy making preparations for the biggest holiday of the year at our house. The dreary days of January and February are when I’ll have the hardest time worrying about my oldest son. I don’t think he will be gone too long and will definitely look forward to his return.
Thank you for reading and please keep my son, and all other sons serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, in your prayers this Christmas.
Please visit:
Ozzie’s Place
Archive for the ‘Anxiety’ Category
Sending a Child to Iraq
Friday, December 12th, 2008De-Stress During the Hustle and Bustle
Sunday, December 7th, 2008by Susan
Amidst the holiday hustle and bustle, I hope you will take time to de-stress so you don’t wear yourself out completely. My husband and I are doing that on a regular basis this year. As we have gotten older we have realized that we need to take time for us to be alone together…….. enjoying some of our usual activities.
Yesterday we finished our Christmas shopping, I think. We always shop for our four children, their spouses and our two grandchildren as well as a few other family members. We don’t spend a lot of money but we do spend a lot of time out there among the crowds. We try to accomplish as much as possible on weekdays but yesterday, a Saturday, we were right out there in the midst of the hustle and bustle, along with all the other shoppers.
However, we also took the time to see a movie which is one of our favorite things to do. This time we saw Australia, starring Nicole Kidman and Hugh Jackman. I loved the movie….. it stirred so many feelings in me. I did a lot of sniffling and wiped my eyes repeatedly. Today we are going to a free Christmas concert to be performed by the music department at Missouri State University. We plan to dress up for the occasion and perhaps have dinner afterwards.
Oh dear! I just realized another item we need to get at a store! I’m also wondering if I purchased enough wrapping paper. All of these holiday preparations are so much fun and yet so stressful, especially for those of us with anxiety/depression. I think a nice long walk today would go a long way in de-stressing. Sometimes a nap helps too! Be sure to take time to de-stress in whatever way works best for you.
When Your Ducks Aren’t All In a Row
Friday, November 14th, 2008
by Susan
When your ducks aren’t all in a row you often feel a lot of stress, especially if you suffer from depression and/or anxiety. Most of us cherish having some sense of control in our lives and when things happen to upset our apple cart we often feel as if we no longer have any control.
This week I felt the stress of things going wrong and I felt helpless to keep them from happening. It all started when we realized we needed a new refrigerator. The compressor on the old one was making a terrible sound each time it stopped running. After several days of shopping around, we chose a new fridge which had to be ordered. We waited the specified five days and then moved our food to ice chests while the new fridge was being delivered. Well, the new fridge hums so loudly that it can easily be mistaken for the washing machine in the adjoining laundry room. It is making me even nuttier than usual!
Needless to say, we have complained to the store and they will be sending out another new refrigerator…….in another five days. We sure didn’t need this unexpected expense during this sluggish economy. I guess we could consider this our Christmas present even if it isn’t what we wanted. I will be thankful if we manage to get our ducks in a row by having a quiet and reliable refrigerator installed. I need to fill it with Thanksgiving food items…..before Thanksgiving. My family is coming and they will want some turkey and trimmings! 
President Elect Obama
Thursday, November 6th, 2008by Susan
Congratulations to President Elect Obama and his family on winning the Presidential Election Tuesday. I’m so glad the election is over! It was the longest, most grueling campaign in our history and I listened to way too much of it. I wanted to be informed but I think I went overboard reading, watching and listening and became somewhat obsessed with politics.
Obama said one thing in his acceptance speech that I thought was very unifying. He said he knew he didn’t have everyone’s support but he would be their president too. I’m hoping he will be an excellent president for all of us. I think it will be a long, long time before we see much progress with our economy or any of the other issues. I also think we will continue to hear politics on the media for quite a time and I’m tired of it. However, I will be looking forward to hearing some other world and U.S. news.
If your candidate won, I know you’re very happy. If your candidate lost, maybe you will give our new president a chance to win your support. Opening up our hearts and minds to change can be a big risk and cause us anxiety, but it can also be rewarding if the change goes in a good direction for all of us.
You Don’t Know What You’ve Got
Saturday, October 25th, 2008
by Susan
Taking people for granted is one of the easiest things to do and one of the hardest things to undo. The same can be said for taking things for granted, whether it be material things or even our own physical or mental health. The bottom line is that we don’t know what we’ve got until we lose it.
We don’t fully appreciate the good things in our lives until we no longer have them. Loss of a loved one or a broken relationship can cause us a great deal of pain. Dealing with severe depression or other mental health problems can totally upset our world as we once knew it. Suffering through difficult physical problems can also be extremely stressful. When faced with all of these dilemmas we often wonder what happened to the good times. We often miss them terribly.
We can learn to cherish our good relationships and other things, knowing we will dearly miss them when they are gone. Reach out to those you love now rather than later. You never know when it might be too late. We’ll also miss our ‘feelin good’ days, so let’s be sure to take full advantage of all the ones we get.
I loved the music of the 60’s and there was a song of the 60’s that came to mind the other day after I visited with a dear friend. The song is called “You Don’t Know What You’ve Got (Until You Lose It)” I’ve posted the lyrics below in case some of you might remember it too. I really liked this song when it was popular and I guess I still do. Thanks for reading this blog.
YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT YOU’VE GOT (UNTIL YOU LOSE IT)
(George Burton / Paul Hampton)
Ral Donner – 1961
Big Jim Sullivan – 1961
You don’t know what you’ve got until you lose it
You gave me you-your love but I abused it
And now I’m sorry for the things I didn’t say
`cause I know now I acted in a foolish way
(oh yeah) uh-huh-huh (oh yeah) oh-oh-yeah
You don’t know what you’ve got until you lose it
You gave me you-your love but I misused it
I never knew how lonely loneliness could be
And now I need you, dear, as you once needed me
(oh yeah) uh-huh-huh (oh yeah) oh-oh-yeah
So now if you’d come to this lonely heart you own
I’d give you all my lovin’ like you’ve never known
(bung, bung, bung, bung)
You don’t know what you’ve got until you lose it
You gave me you-your love but I misused it
And now I’m sorry for the things I didn’t say
`cause I know now I acted in a foolish way
(oh yeah) uh-huh-huh (oh yeah) oh-oh-yeah
(oh yeah) uh-huh-huh (oh yeah) oh-oh-yeah
FADE
(oh yeah) uh-huh-huh (oh yeah)
Is Apprehension the Same as Anxiety?
Sunday, October 19th, 2008
by Susan
Is apprehension the same thing as anxiety? According to one definition of apprehension in the Encarta Dictionary, apprehension is dread…… a feeling of anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen. That sounds pretty much like what most of us feel when we suffer from anxiety. Frequently we feel this sense of dread when faced with decisions both small and large.
There is another definition in the Encarta Dictionary which says apprehension can also mean the power or ability to grasp the importance, significance, or meaning of something. I’m paying special attention to the words “ability to grasp”. I believe our ability to grasp a things importance, whether it be an event, an object, a person, or an idea, is vital to our happiness and peace of mind. Sometimes we must research or study certain subjects at length in order to inform ourselves, so that we have the “ability to grasp”.
So often when we are not informed or have not yet grasped a situation, we are unsure of ourselves and others. We find it difficult to make decisions and we suffer from anxiety(apprehension) for fear we will make the wrong decision. At times we may spend all our time trying to convince family members and others that we know what is correct. Are we really trying to convince ourselves when we engage in this behavior?
There is a huge weight lifted from our shoulders when we finally do grasp and understand what we are dealing with….and when we finally do make our decision. I believe apprehension, the ability to grasp a situation, is the best way to relieve our apprehension(anxiety) when it comes to making decisions, whether that decision involves where to make a major purchase, who to vote for, what church to attend, or decisions about daily events in our lives. The “ability to grasp” is something most of us can achieve with a little time and effort, thus engaging in a bit of self help. The time and effort spent might just go a long way in relieving our anxiety.
Undecided Voter
Friday, September 5th, 2008
by Susan
If my dad were alive he would vote for John McCain. If my grandchildren were old enough to vote they would vote for Barack Obama. I’m an undecided voter and as a senior citizen it puzzles me to be undecided at this time in my life. I usually make up my mind early. Somehow, this seems like a very important election to me……more so than all the other presidential elections I’ve voted in over the years.
Maybe my indecision has to do with increased depression…….I’m not sure. I do know that I feel a certain amount of anxiety associated with this election. This has been one of the most interesting races to date and I’ve probably spent too much time sitting around watching television and the Internet in an effort to learn as much as possible about the candidates and the issues.
I feel a bit of anger when some of my loved ones tell me who they are voting for and they haven’t listened to the speeches of all the candidates. They obviously base their decision on something else…..but what? Have they done some other kind of homework so they are informed? Maybe I’m taking my one vote too seriously.
I found an interesting article about undecided voters at WebMD and learned that I may not be undecided at all. I just don’t know it yet.
Triggers of Depression
Thursday, August 28th, 2008
by Susan
My husband and I spent four days at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital with his mother who is 94 years of age. She is out of the hospital now and will be returning to the hospital soon for a procedure on her back. The many hours we spent in the ICU and adjoining waiting room were very similar to times when I was there for my own mother and for one of my sisters.
Needless to say, I believe the events of the past week have triggered some depressive feelings for me. My mother passed away in 1999. She was in the hospital for 10 days as a result of a fall due to the unsteadiness she suffered with Alzheimer’s Disease. All of my sisters, as well as my brother visited and spent time together. We all rallied together again a few years later when one of my sisters spent 10 days in the ICU on life support.
I believe significant events such as loss of a loved one and life threatening illness of a loved one can trigger depression. I also believe similar events can re-trigger those same feelings of depression, fear and anxiety.
There are so many events in our lives that are possible triggers of depression. Job loss, financial problems, arguments with loved ones, death, illness and many many more. Some of us may be depressed due to genetics and chemical imbalance but these triggering events increase our levels of depression, sometimes to the point of immobilizing us for a short period of time. If you find yourself unable to function somewhat normally for you, get professional help as well as help from family members.
Here is an interesting site that lists many of the triggers of depression “Causes of Depression: Possible Triggers of Depression?”
Perfectionism: Do Your Worst!
Monday, August 4th, 2008
I spent 16 hours in a row to get an animated graphic to work properly on a website. That’s very sad. I’m a perfectionist, and on that occasion I was out of control.
Perfectionism is tricky. A little bit can make you strive hard; too much and you’re susceptible to stress, anxiety and even depression. Where is the line between the two?
Here is a comparison from the University of Texas Counseling and Mental Health Center.
A perfectionist:
- sets standards beyond reach and reason
- is never satisfied by less than perfection
- becomes dysfunctionally depressed when experiences failure
- is preoccupied with fear of failure and disapproval
- sees mistakes as evidence of unworthiness
- becomes overly defensive when criticized
A healthy striver:
- sets high standards, just beyond reach
- enjoys the process as well as the outcome
- bounces back from failure and disappointment quickly and with energy
- keeps normal anxiety and fear of failure and disapproval within normal bounds
- sees mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning
- reacts positively to helpful criticism.
Perfectionism is destructive and people seek and receive treatment for it. CBT is the norm. To me the hardest thing is seeing when aiming high is getting out of hand and becoming destructive.
Writing this post is a good case in point. I should have a stopwatch on.
There are questionnaires at the BBC and Discovery Health that can give you an indication of where you lie on the scale. If you do just one then I think the shorter Discovery Health is better.
I’m Having Anxiety Disorder Symptoms……..by Susan
Tuesday, June 17th, 2008I’m having some anxiety disorder symptoms this week and I know why. This coming Saturday, June 21st, my youngest of three sons is getting married. He will be moving out of our house and I dread the initial empty nest feeling I know I will experience. My oldest son will be coming home for the wedding and I feel a lot of anxiety about that as well. I have no explanation for this other than I am so happy and excited to see him that maybe my feelings are getting all confused inside.
My middle son and my daughter will be coming for the wedding too and this will be the first time all of us have been together for over four years. My husband and I are busy scurrying about getting things ready for the family gathering at our home. Today my husband and I bought, hauled and put away what seemed like tons of groceries. Tomorrow we’ll clean house and mow the yard. Not bad for senior citizens.
The anxiety disorder symptoms I’m experiencing are headache, nervousness, sleeplessness and worrying. I’ll do much better after the festivities begin……it’s the anticipation and preparation that get me all flustered. I just hope I won’t be shaking when I have two of my sons walk me down the aisle for the third one’s wedding.
Visit Ozzie Reviews Avon