Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Anxiety is Disabling
I'm a huge St Louis Cardinals fan and their star shortstop is currently having problems with anxiety. The St.Louis Post Dispatch has been following this story closely and the Cardinal manager is considering putting the player on the disabled list. I applaud this as anxiety can be just as disabling as any other illness a person may encounter. If he had chronic headaches or stomach pain everyone would be okay with that right? Now bloggers are telling the player to "grow a pair", "get over it' , and make references to his salary (which is over 6 million dollars). It amazes me that some people continue to minimize the disabling effects of mental illness. Fear and anxiety can make a person avoid going to work, care for their family, or getting their needs met. Further it is worse by the sufferer constantly beating himself or herself up with their own thoughts that he or she " should get over it," or "grow a pair." When the person cannot get over it, despair and depression can be the result. The good news? 90% of people with anxiety and depression get better with medication and therapy. Maybe this is what our shortstop needs. Above all, a little support and compassion is due here.
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I know this one well I have anxiety problems myself. I can be in a crowd or just with one person and it comes on. I love to see people and visit but sometimes the anxiety gets the best of me. But I make myself try to get over it by going to events. I socialize with others even though I prefer just the one on one contact. I use it as therapy for myself. I seem to get a little more comfortable when in crowds now days but I don't get up to go out unless I have to. I always say would you please go get that for me if you don't mind. But sometimes when I get that closing in feeling even when I am with just one person I tend to talk a lot. My heart rate rises and I start paying attention to the person I am with and every little thing they are doing. I tend to hear what they say but might not right off respond to what they said. I sound like I am rambling on and on at times because the anxiety level gets so high. I have never been a person that could just go chill with a group. I prefer being outdoors because of the wide open space when with others. But believe me it takes more than growing a pair to get over it. I have had this all my life. And can simpathize with him.
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