Allison Dunning, Toronto and Province-Wide Peer Support Coordinator for Mood Disorders Association of Ontario tells her story.
“I started experiencing symptoms of depression when I was about fifteen years old, I was a competitive athlete at the time and that usually brought me a lot of happiness and joy. But it started to become very draining and just my overall sense of happiness was really starting to decline.”
When things you once love become a burden on your life it is a terrible thing. It can be a sign of more than losing interest.
Anxiety and Depression are huge concepts that most people can relate to. But Fanshawe Councilor Nicole Ross explains why.
“Sometimes when we are feeling a certain way and we associate it with anxiety and depression and it is okay to feel this way but we tend to go straight to this.”
A common misconception is the feeling of excitement or nervousness is a form of anxiety and while this can be true typically it is the first explanation that comes to mind.
Another stereotype is depression is worse than anxiety, Ross explains why this statement is incorrect.
“There are all kinds of Depression and Anxiety and not one is harder to deal with than the other.”
Not one person experiences Anxiety and Depression the same as another person. Nicole Ross said that everyone has their own ways of living with it.
To help someone in your life Nicole Ross recommends that you be there them, you listen and understand what they are going through is real.
Some signs that there could be something going on include:
-persistent sad or anxious mood
-feelings of hopelessness, guilt, worthlessness
-loss of interest in things such as activities or hobbies
-insomnia
-loss of appetite
London has endless support including a Crisis a Center through CMHA Middlesex.
The center is available for anyone who is struggling and needs help. They are there to aid and listen to anyone who may need a shoulder to lean on.
Mood Disorders Association of Ontario is also a great place to get in contact with, though it is stationed in Toronto it is available for all. The employees are real people who have are all living with Anxiety and/or Depression. They all understand what you may be going through and are open to help in any way. You do not need to be diagnosed to get help through the association if you are feeling a certain way and need to speak to someone who understands they are available.
Anxiety and Depression are not things to be afraid of, start the conversation.
