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Depression Is A Deep, Dark Hole
Climbing out is a real struggle
I have a medical condition. I have low serotonin levels in my brain. I was told by a neurologist that it is fairly common among “middle aged” people. My first thought was, “I’m going to live to be 112?” Then I realized he was being kind calling me “middle aged.” The low levels cause 24/7 migraine headaches, loss of appetite, difficulty sleeping, and an inability to focus — either my mind or my eyes.
I’d been sick with what I thought was a sinus infection for a year by the time I was finally referred to the neurologist. When he told me what it was and that there was an exit, I could have kissed the hem of his garment. Within a month of seeing him, I was back to my old self. I have had to have the dosage of the medication increased over the years (that was 14 years ago) but that’s okay. I’ll be on this treatment for the rest of my life, and that’s fine with me.
My GP did no tests, referred me to no one, and basically threw her hands up when the usual sinus infection treatment didn’t work. I went to the emergency room so many times, my husband at the time wouldn’t go with me anymore and told me they probably had a chair reserved for me, but I had to keep trying to get help. A second opinion from another GP suggested I was suffering from PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) from having…
