My Journey with Depression & Anxiety
In this week’s episode, I get the chance to talk with Hunter Horenstein about his long journey with depression and anxiety. Hunter is the current Director of Fan Engagement for the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, Adv., an affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. In his role, he oversees the Pelicans’ promotions and social media departments. Hunter is an eight year veteran of the sports industry, with experience at both the collegiate and professional levels. Originally from Long Beach, Ca., Hunter went nearly 22 years without addressing his mental health. Now 28, he works and lives in South Carolina with diagnosed social anxiety stress response syndrome and depression. Over the years, he’s become much more outspoken about his own struggles and journey, as well as an advocate for the normalization of mental health.
We talk about how therapy, medication, a strong support system, and just being open to the process and, especially, to the help, has gotten Hunter to where he is today.
“There's nothing wrong with taking your time on your journey. This wasn't an overnight thing. The journey has been long. It's sometimes gone backwards. Not every person's journey is the same, but that doesn't change the fact that you are absolutely not alone.”
To learn more about Hunter’s journey, you can follow @h_horenstein on Instagram & Twitter
Resources
In this episode, we talk about stress response syndrome, formally referred to as adjustment disorder. According to WebMD, Stress response syndrome is a short-term condition that happens when you have great difficulty managing with, or adjusting to, a particular source of stress, such as a major life change, loss, or event. Stress response syndrome changes the way you feel and think about the world and your place in it. In adjustment disorder/stress response syndrome, the reaction to the stressor is greater than what is typical or expected for the situation or event. The symptoms may cause problems with a person's ability to function; for example, the person may have trouble with sleep, work, or studying. It can have a wide variety of symptoms that are changes from someone's usual self, which may include:
Feeling of hopelessness
Sadness
Frequent crying
Anxiety (nervousness)
Worry
Headaches or stomachaches
Palpitations (an unpleasant sensation of irregular or forceful beating of the heart)
Withdrawal or isolation from people and social activities
A new pattern of absence from work or school
New and out-of-the-ordinary dangerous or destructive behavior, such as fighting, reckless driving, and vandalism
Changes in appetite; either loss of appetite or overeating
Problems sleeping
Feeling tired or without energy
Using alcohol or other drugs more
Symptoms in children and teens tend to be more behavioral in nature, such as skipping school, fighting, or acting out. Adults, on the other hand, tend to have more emotional symptoms, such as sadness and anxiety.
Adjustment disorder can sometimes turn into major depressive episodes in people who are at risk for mood disorders. If you turn to alcohol or drugs to manage your stress and anxiety, you may develop a substance abuse problem.
Treatment for AD/SRS may include:
Psychotherapy or talk therapy
Medications, including antidepressants or anti-anxiety drugs
Support groups