Counseling

[Guest guest]

There are certain things I find myself crusading a bit for. One is

oximeters. Another is getting to an ILD center and the best doctor you

can. Another is insisting on what you need from your oxygen provider.

But one that I want to remind everyone of today is mental health

counseling.

I owe my life and the quality of it to my counselor. I went through far

worse than PF when dealing with depression, anxiety, and more. Life

wasn't worth living to me. But by the time I was diagnosed I was in a

better state. So, to me, I can honestly say about the PF that I've been

through worse.

We have a terminal illness, whatever you take that to mean. But its a

harsh thing to hear. I would expect it to be depressing and cause

anxiety on nearly everyone. As you progress, as you take meds that play

with your mood, it can get worse. Ultimately depending on the form of

our ILD we may not be able to beat the physical disease, certainly not

reverse the damage, and often not stop the progression. I personally

know my life expectation is short although I can hear Peggy now

reminding that we don't have expiration dates stamped on our behinds. I

haven't checked with a mirror so maybe she's right. But what can be

helped is our dealing with the disease. The forums I belong to have been

invaluable. I've learned how to live with it and make the most of it.

But, I still and always will see my counselor and I know she'll be there

when things are worse and on those days and times I need her most and

she already knows me so well. We talk about doctors and who is most

important. Well, a good mental health counselor may be the most

important one we could have on this path.

Now its not right for everyone. Some can make it with family support. I

couldn't. Most can't. Most need more. If you feel your depression taking

over your life or your anxiety. If you ever have suicidal thoughts (and

yes, wishing you were dead even if you'd do nothing to cause it is

clinically still a suicidal thought). Get help. It can do wonders.

Please don't feel that you should be able to handle it without or its

some character weakness to reach out and seek assistance. We're

sometimes a form of group therapy here but private individual can still

do wonders. You may also need medications, whether anti-depressants or

anti-anxiety. I personally feel everyone told they have such a disease

should be given a referral right then to a counselor. Certainly I

believe it also as something to accompany a prednisone prescription.

There is nothing wrong with being depressed or angry or feeling hopeless

about this disease. But, you can take action to feel better. It's

possible. Take it from someone who in 2005-2006 had no will to live but

who now with a terminal disease, with oxygen, with something like 19

conditions or issues, with 17 doctors last year and 14 or 15 this year

enjoys life and wants to make the most of it as long as it continues. It

changed my life. These are the best years of my life.

End of sermon. lol.