Mental Health has been brought to a place where we are able to have an open and honest dialogue. When I was a kid in the ’70s, you didn’t have depression, you were moody. ADHD or ADD was not a thing, you had too much sugar. Today we are able to recognize that there be something more than just being down, or going from an extreme high to the lowest of lows. The problem is we don’t have all of the facts.
People are quick to “self-diagnose” or label someone based on a small amount of information. There was a girl where I work and people loved to say that she was bi-polar. “Oh, watch out! I think she’s off her meds”. These labels, while on the surface, are not viewed as hurtful but they can be. How many times have you called someone crazy? Think about it. It’s a lot, isn’t it. Everyone does it. We need to take a step back from using mental illness as a blanket label.
The most important thing, when getting help for mental illness is trust. You must have complete trust in your doctor, your therapist, or any medical professional you go to see. You need to be comfortable with being honest about your feelings. Don’t hold back. Don’t be afraid. Trust has to be present or it will make things worse for you.
Here’s an example. For years, I have had depression, anxiety, and migraines. What a lovely bunch of coconuts! I had doctors who I trusted and got the help I needed. Time has passed, doctors have moved on and now I have one that I do not trust. He doesn’t listen to me. He has been my doctor for years and still doesn’t believe that I have migraines. I have a headache every day of my life, and when I have a migraine, it can last for weeks. I get all types, overall throbbing, sharp “ice-pick” headaches, left side, right side, both sides. I am sensitive to lights, smells, heat accompanied by nausea and occasional vomiting. Fun, right? To this day, he doesn’t get it. I ask for pain medication and he tells me to go to the ER for a shot of Demerol. I go to work, I live my life and I am in pain. Sadly I have come to accept the fact that he will never help me. So why don’t I find a new doctor? I have no answer. What if the new one is worse, but what if they aren’t? I avoid going to the doctor. I don’t get better because I don’t get the help I need.
Learn from my mistakes! If you are afraid to mention something you don’t understand or a new feeling that you are unsure about, seek help. You cannot diagnose yourself, you can’t treat yourself and most importantly, you are not weak for getting help.
I have a degree in Psychology and am working toward my Master’s Degree, but I am NOT a therapist. I want to help, but I cannot treat you. Call a Doctor, meet a therapist. And if you don’t like them, find another. If you need help, I will do my best to support you.
One more thing, if you or anyone you know talks of harming themselves please call the National Suicide Hotline, 800-273-8255. Trust yourself enough to get help.
This is a safe space.
Talk to you soon!
The Black Sheep
The Life of a Black Sheep 