While Walking Duncan - A Guest Post, Sort Of

Note:  This post is long overdue.  My host site had problems for over a week, and then we went on vacation.  I'm so excited to share this with you!


I'd like to introduce you to my blogger friend, Curt.  Curt and I met through the power of the Internet.  His Dad, a man I worked with years ago, sometimes posts links to Curt's blog, www.whilewalkingduncan.com. on Facebook.  As soon as I discovered Curt, I knew we were kindred spirits.

Curt and I  both blog, and we both love Golden Retrievers.  Curt writes about his adventures with Duncan, his Golden Retriever, his partner, Ken , and all about life in general.  Curt, like me, suffers from General Anxiety Disorder.  Curt is is honest, he's pragmatic, and he has a heart of gold.  And,  the man can WRITE!  This is a snippet of Curt's thoughts on GAD:

Anyone who suffers from anxiety knows that it's a truly horrific experience that changes your entire perception of the world. Nothing is safe and even when there doesn't appear to be any anxiety the fear of it returning becomes even worse than the anxiety itself. The world becomes your enemy. Tasks that most people take for granted, things I'd done daily, like drive to work, or watch television, go to movies, visit friends, walk Duncan, become impossible. I spent three miserable months holed up, hardly venturing outside, watching as Ken struggled to be brave and patient and comprehend what was happening. - Curt Rogers - www.whilewalkingduncan.com

Isn't he amazing?  When I first read this, I felt as though he had written the words directly out of my head.  This is what I've been trying to put on paper for a very long time, but I just couldn't find the words.

This is not an "I'm feeling sorry for myself post", because self-pity is not something I feel when I go through these phases.  What I do feel is terrified, anxious (obviously), helpless and guilty.  Depression and anxiety go hand in hand for me.  Trust me, I don't want my worst enemy to struggle with this, and it makes me sad that my loved ones have to suffer because of my issues. 

Curt has found a tactic that helps him, and it's pretty neat.  Read more here:  http://whilewalkingduncan.blogspot.com/2012/05/feathers-for-flight.html

Myself, I'm working with essential oils, medication, a gluten-free diet, self-affirmation, and therapy.

My point is, if you suffer from GAD, depression, or any other condition, speak out!  We need to communicate. We can only help one another by talking and sharing ideas.  We're all human.

Special thanks to Curt for letting me share his thoughts.

God Speed.

-MM