When I think about my mental health journey and when it started it honestly started before I even knew it was an issue. I can remember back to very young elementary school and biting and picking at my nails. I had no idea why I did it and it wasn’t until my 30s I realized it was anxiety. I just didn’t know the word. At 38 I focus on my mental health a lot. But at 5 how do you even know?
My Mental Health Journey
The beginning:
As I mentioned I am pretty sure I have had anxiety since I was really little. Getting stomach aches about going to school, lots of fears, etc. I also had quite a bit happen in my childhood that I never properly dealt with. Things I did not think affected me much absolutely did. A lot of this I really didn’t realize until well into adulthood. I also had quite a bit of undiagnosed anxiety and depression throughout high school and college. Looking back I wish I had realized this or that someone else had.
The middle:
I would say when I was about 27 things were at their worst. My dad was diagnosed with cancer and I was going through a lot personally. It’s when I started consistently taking antidepressants and anxiety medication. I also started going to therapy. This is also when I realized a lot of my childhood trauma was still so much on the surface and I did not realize it.
The now:
When I met Andrew I was really doing well. Then we got married and had two kids and throughout all of this, I stayed on antidepressants. Other than when I was pregnant. But I did start taking them the day I had both kids. I did not want to deal with PPD. But I did deal with PPA (Postpartum Anxiety) with Liam. With Charlotte, I did not. Now I do really well. I take the lowest dose of my medication and feel great 90% of the time. I do still have down days and moments and that’s completely normal.
I don’t say any of this for anyone to feel bad for me. Honestly, most of us have gone through hard things and come out on the other side. I do share this so that others can hopefully find some comfort in knowing they are not alone. So many of my friends and I will talk about how many of us had undiagnosed issues in our teens and 20s because mental health just was not talked about much. I am so glad that my children will grow up in a world where it is.
If you have had your own mental health journey I see you.
Thank you so much for sharing your story. I think the biggest roadblock to furthering mental health is the conversations that people still don’t feel like they can have.
I love that you’re able to be on the lowest dose and still have great results. That’s always the goal.
May past in this area is interesting. My mom had really bad anxiety and, unintentionally, she passed it on to me. I say “unintentionally” because I behaved and acted in ways that a person with high anxiety acts, and it was all because of her constantly talking about it and convincing me, a young kid, that I was just like her side of the family. Only when I got older did I realize it was learned behavior.
Oh wow! I’m so sorry you’ve been dealing with this for so long. But I’m glad you’ve educated yourself and understand it better now. Kudos!
I am happy that you have passed the hard times, keep going! I do have my childhood traumas back then but gladly now i’m good. Keep on posting such inspirational journey!
It’s good that sharing. People need to know there are others who relate to what they are going through and that everything is going to be okay.
Thank you for sharing your mental health journey. I’m sure a lot including me can relate to this and learn a lot from it.
Thank you for being vulnerable and sharing your journey.
I think it’s so important to share personally health challenges, You realise when you open up how many people have also had their own battles, and we all know we are not alone, that makes everyone feel better. Thank you for sharing.
Your mental health journey seems so inspiring!
I’m sorry you had a little bit of difficult time in the middle. That’s awesome you taking less meds and feeling great.
Each of us has our own unique mental health journey, but I am glad that you were able to be on the right track for yourself.
Wow.. What a journey. You are a strong woman, mama. Keep it up.
It sounds like you have had wellness journey. We go through a lot in life and it is good that you have kind of found your way through it all.
Aaawww…thank you for sharing about your journey with mental health. It’s not an easy road but one we must travel on!
It’s always good seeing people’s improvement. Reading your story really brings a positive energy to everyone who is struggling on problems.