Like I tell my pdoc, I can deal with the depression but the anxiety is extremely hard to deal with...and he looks at me like he doesn't get it at all (and he is a good pdoc). I mean, I get my depression, I know why and what it feels like; it doesn't pop up and frighten me and turn my stomach into knots...whereas anxiety has haunted me since being a child and effects everything I do and sometimes I don't know how or when or why it will pop up or how awful it might feel.
Does any one else see their issues like this, characterizing one, although still bad as managable, while the other is really not, etc...when speaking with their T or pdoc? He seems more concerned about my depression and I'm not. Just wondering if anyone thinks about it like this or talks about it like this or sees it this way for themselves. I just keep seeing the look on his face like, "no comprende."

[elliemay]

Oh yes, compared to anxiety, depression, for me, feels as comfortable as an old shoe.

Anxiety is intolerable for me. My old psychiatrist/therapist understood that straight away.

As horrible as he is, I think my new pdoc gets it too.

I see a clear distinction between really not caring if you live or die (depression) versus feeling as though you are going to be killed at any moment (anxiety).

The physical symptoms and emotional response to anxiety are identical to the response in a life threatening situation.

Imagine living in that feeling.

Some people understand, others do not.

Frankly, I think there is a reason why treatments for anxiety existed even in ancient times whereas treatments for depression are new.

It is a wholly unnatural state for a human to exist in.

If he just doesn't get it, I say bring a mountain lion or something to your next session and ask him how he feels with it in the room.

THAT'S anxiety.

["Tilly may"]

Ellie may you are so right.

I can handle the depression too but the anxiety is extremely painful and difficult to function with. Maybe my depression isnt as deep or as bad as what some others experience.

[feralkittymom]

I wonder if what confused him was the idea of separating anxiety from depression? There is something referred to as atypical depression that includes anxiety; perhaps that is how he characterizes your depression? Still seems odd that he couldn't fathom preferring one set of symptoms over another though.

[unaluna]

First, his face MIGHT not be saying what you think. As Stopdog says, they are wily. Or as I tell my T, he's a terrible liar! So I would ask directly. Second, I think there are 2 kinds of people in the world - those who would take a drug to feel calmer, vs to feel "faster"? Us anxious types want to be calmer. Maybe he is the other type, that's all.

[Nightlight]

I remember my therapist asking me early in therapy which of those I thought was the bigger issue. As long as I'm not doing anything that threatens my safety, then I think I'm the best judge of what I need the most help with.

I agree with depression being familiar and anxiety getting in the way of every day life. Anxiety never feels familiar! I was in a very bad way with depression and anxiety when I started therapy, as in barely holding on and also too shared to try anything new or take any risks. Once I was holding on a little better because I had someone on my side who I instantly liked and trusted, I think it was the anxiety that I needed to work on. I had to have that under control enough so I could take risks and try new things and do the things that would then make the depression a little bit more manageable too.

Originally Posted by elliemay

Oh yes, compared to anxiety, depression, for me, feels as comfortable as an old shoe.

Anxiety is intolerable for me.

BINGO..... yup this is it!

[photostotake]

For me, it's just the opposite. I can handle the anxiety, just not the depression. I know my anxiety won't hurt me, but the depression just won't lift. He understands this. I'm now suffering from nocturnal panic attacks and I've been explain to him that I'm able to wake up and tell myself that I'm okay and calm myself back down. He's an expert on anxiety, so he's been able to really help me on this. He's also told me this makes sense to him- my feelings on my depression vs. anxiety. But now that panic attacks are invading my sleep, it's a problem, but I feel I can keep it under control.

[Victoria'smom]

T understands I don't care about my other issue. It's the Anxiety "killing" me.

[CantExplain]

Originally Posted by elliemay

Oh yes, compared to anxiety, depression, for me, feels as comfortable as an old shoe.

For me, it was anger that was comfortable. Even today, it is easier than grief or fear.