Depression

You’ve not been feeling yourself for a while. Not sure what’s going on you schedule an appointment with your doctor. You’ve been having headaches, blurry or spotted vision, tired and a weird pounding sensation in your chest. Everyone in your life is calling wanting to know what the Dr said. “It’s high blood pressure. I’ll be on blood pressure medicine,change up my diet and should be good”. Now how does this conversation with friends and family change if it turns out you have depression and/or anxiety? Why is it harder and less socially acceptable to have a mental health problem than high blood pressure?

I have depression and anxiety. It’s hard and almost everyday I have to make a decision to be stronger than this disease. But somedays I don’t get a choice. Somedays I am at the mercy of all those thoughts that tell me I’m not enough. A person can only channel her inner Rachel Hollis so many times a day, week or month. Most days a good kick in the butt works. Those other days, I know who really loves me because they are still around when “it” passes. That’s what makes mental health such an incredibly difficult disease to fight. Medication helps most of the time but there are days for no given reason I’m unable to get out of bed, I cry more, eat more and generally hate who I am.

Getting the care you need for your mental health is almost impossible for some people. I have Tricare and do you know how many counselors actually take Tricare? Not many and those that do are booked. Wonder why? Oh yeah this country has a mental health crisis. Many hospitals are not even staffed and/or equipped to handle a mental health patient. They need special attention and sometimes 1/1 care. A topic that my brief rant will not help. Moving on…

What does someone with depression, anxiety or any other mental health illness look like? Everyone and anyone. Literally. I have a pretty awesome life. A husband that loves me, 2 amazing kids, both me and my husband have good jobs, a nice house, nice vehicles and 2 dogs!! We’ve had our share of ups and downs but for the most part it’s a charmed life. None of that changes the inevitable. I will always need medication and support from those closest to me. Without my amazing family and those medications I could possibly be on the streets homeless.

My plan…I want to tell everyone I have depression and anxiety. Why? I’m tired of it being a secret, a taboo topic that should be discussed behind closed doors laying on a couch. If resources are so limited for mental health let’s help each other. Listen to your friend that’s struggling and call to check on them. They don’t have to be your responsibility but the few minutes it takes to listen or text “how’s it going” may be what gets them out of the bed tomorrow. Help them with coping mechanisms. Make suggestions with love and concern.

I would love to hear I am not alone. Comment or message me.