Back in 2008, I hit rock bottom mentally. I was totally exhausted after my kids got diagnosed, and all of a sudden became "special needy" children, like as if they had changed from one day to another. There were actually family members that said that this changed happened, not me, because I had experienced their needs every day since they were born.
I had a job, three kids, no network to rely on, and one day my body collapsed.
And suddenly I had the biggest anxiety attack I've ever experienced, and my fellow colleagues were afraid it was a heart attack, so they called for an ambulance. I never went back to that job.
Not because they misdiagnosed me, but because that became the most profound turning point in history -- for me anyway.
I knew I needed to become more self-caring, acknowledge that fact that I wasn't a superwoman, just an ordinary mom trying to make ends meet, and maintain a normal life despite the diagnoses that all of a sudden ran around in our home. The problems had always been there, but now they had names.
We had Asperger syndrome, cerebral palsy and for me -- anxiety.
The only problem is that anxiety is not a disease, it's a symptom. It's your body telling you that something is totally off.
Image courtesy of David Castillo Dominici/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net
It was very easy for me to embrace my childrens diagnosis, and I read everything I came across about them, to more easily understand my kids and their needs, but for my anxiety the story was somewhat different. I tried to dulm the fact that my body was trying to help me. It was saying I needed to make some changes. And I wouldn't listen.
In fact it took a couple of years before I started listen. In the meantime I had seen counselors, and tried medication, but none of those actually help, unless you're willing to face the problems right on. The medication in my case, turned me into an existing zombie, not a living human being.
But one day, I said enough was enough. No more feeling sorry for myself. No more blaming others for my problems. Time to bite the dust. And I did.
And when I began to see anxiety as an asset instead of a chain, things automatically changed for the better, in all aspects of my life.
I conquered all my issues from the past, chewed them, spit them out, and placed the blame where it belong -- in the past.
Everytime I feel my anxiety level starts rising, and I feel the need of disappearing, maybe start on medication again, or starting blaming other, I pause.
I take a deep breath, actually several, and take a timeout for myself. Asking myself what it is about that situation that I react on, ask myself how I usually react in similar situations, and really evaluate them all.
This way I show my body that I appreciate it telling me that something is wrong, by giving me anxiety attacks. When I'm not able to see it myself, I have my body to help me see it.
And for the last year I've not used medication, I've created my own job, I have three happy kids, and I'm happy to be alive. I live the life I've dreamt about living.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.