About Me
Hi there, I am Darlene. Thanks for checking out my site! I am a mother and a grandmother, also a home school mom and small business owner. Some of my favorite things are hanging out with my kids and grand kids, working in my gardens and going for walks on the beautiful back roads of the rural neighborhood where I live.
I have experienced depression off and on for years. At times it would get so severe that I could barely function. Even the most basic things like walking across the room seemed overwhelming. Activities I normally enjoyed held no interest for me at all. It was incredibly difficullt to take care of a family with all the responsibilities that come with being a mother, when getting out of bed in the morning seemed daunting! As I researched the causes of depression and I became aware of all the contributing factors, I realized that there is no one cause or one cure. I became aware of the importance of health and nutrition, that my physical health affects my mental health. I realized that my emotional needs are just as important as my physical needs. That in order to truly feel well I had to take care of myself as well as everyone else.
One of my first experiences with anxiety was a couple of weeks after having a baby. I started having panic attacks, and didn't even dare tell any one for fear they would think I was crazy! I remember wondering if I was going to get to raise my baby or if I might be hauled off in a straight jacket and locked up in an institution! I had never even heard of a panic attack, so I had no idea what I was dealing with. When I finally shared what I was experiencing with my husband, I found out that he had previously had some experiences of his own with panic attacks. With his help I was able to realize that I was going to be okay. Having someone who understood what I was going through helped me tremendously!
When dealing with an anxiety disorders or depression, often just knowing that you are not alone and that someone else understands what you are going through can be a tremendous relief. Sometimes it takes a friend or loved one to help point you in the right direction if you are feeling confused or overwhelmed.
The first time I went to a doctor for help I was given no information at all. The doctor asked me a lot of questions and ordered some tests, but never told me anything about what she thought was wrong with me. As I was leaving she simply handed me some information on depression and available anti-depressants without even mentioning what she thought the problem was. There was never a conversation about what I was dealing with, or any options for help. I felt lost and alone in my search for answers. I began reading a lot of books and talking to a lot of people, including doctors and health care professionals, trying to understand what anxiety disorders are, what causes them and what can be done to heal them. I certainly claim no ability to treat or diagnose medical conditions, but I have learned a lot that I think might be of help to others. The purpose of " I Can Create Joy" is to share what I have learned and put as much information as I can in one place, hopefully helping others to navigate through all the information faster and easier so that they can be informed and move forward in a positve direction on the road to feeling like themselves again!
* "Count your smiles instead of your tears, count your courage instead of your fears" *