ADAC’s newsletter is full of so many great things. Here’s a sneak peak from the Executive Director

From the Executive Director
I think back to the first time I heard the word comorbidity and
smile. I was sitting in a quaint restaurant in Toronto being
interviewed for my present position of Executive Director and I was
trying to look in control and not let on that I had no clue what the
word meant. Throughout the conversation I finally figured out the
basic meaning. When trying to explain it to others, who have the
same “deer in headlights” look on their face that I probably had
years back when I first heard the word, I try to simplify it by
explaining that it is other symptoms or conditions, whether it be
pain, sick feeling, fatigue, depression, alcoholism or another
anxiety disorder that goes hand in hand with the anxiety disorder
that we have. This Newsletter issue will focus primarily on Anxiety
Disorders and Depression.
When I was in university I was misdiagnosed and made to feel
like a hypochondriac when I now know I was suffering from
anxiety. Now I can’t blame the doctor in question, there were
possibly less information and certainly less training available to
GPs regarding anxiety 25 years ago. I was also probably not
forthcoming with what I was feeling back then, because as I have
written in the past, I thought I was just dumb because I could not
memorize the information I was expected to know for exams. I
am a very competitive person and expect a lot of myself,
admitting to someone even a doctor that I was failing at
something I thought everyone else could do, was too much for
the then 20 year old girl to deal with. I am comforted in knowing
that the same doctor diagnosed a dear friend of mine with Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder a few years back after a very trying
time in her life. He was finally able to see beyond the physical
symptoms and ask the right questions.
There is a fine line in friendship when one must decide how much
they push or encourage a friend to get help for anxiety or any
mental illness. It is even more difficult when a friend’s child is in
need of help. Sadly so many kids today are suffering needlessly
and the schools don’t always have the resources to identify
problems or help the kids. I applaud those of you who have
taken your child or teenage for therapy, I know it is not an easy
thing to do…I’ve had to do it myself. It is particularly difficult if
the child’s other parent does not agree with you. There are times
in life when we have to choose our battles; this is one worth
fighting for. Talk openly with your doctor about your feelings and
about your life situation whether it be divorce, financial issues,
gender issues, your kids, or anything that concerns you. Find
help where you can, anxiety disorders are treatable and you have
the right to live happily ever after.
Wishing you a summer of laughter, warm weather and good times
with loved ones.
Genevieve Charette, Executive Director

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