Normalizing Mental Health Talk

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October is National Depression Education and Awareness Month. I’ve been wanting to write and talk about depression and anxiety for a while now. I tried help books, yoga, talking to friends, many things. It finally occurred to me this year that it was just part of my chemistry in my body, and I needed some help. Both anxiety and depression which have been controlling my life for over 10 years. It’s been over two months since I got the courage to walk into a psychiatrist’s office. Here’s what ACTUALLY happened when I started taking anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications.
Normalizing Mental Health Talk | East Valley Moms Blog
 
First of all, I realized happiness is attainable. Not the occasional something good happened, but I’m generally happy these days. With the start of anti-depressants, my psychiatric warned me that if I saw a spike and was EXTREMELY happy, then EXTREMELY sad, that would mean I would actually be Bipolar. Luckily, the serotonin was just the right amount. Now that I’m happier, it’s so much easier to get out of bed right away in the morning!
 
I tend to be more social these days. I’m not one to go out of my way to have a conversation with anyone, and I definitely still do have some social anxiety, but it has diminished so much. I feel much more confident when I’m talking with people, and that’s definitely a win to me!
 
Another thing I noticed almost immediately, was that I started to play with my children. That sounds awful, but now I’m up chasing them around the house, and taking the time to sit down and interact with them. I also used to be one of those parents who sat on the sidelines or on my phone when we go to indoor fun parks, but now I’m the parent going down the slides, jumping all around. To be honest, I’m enjoying it just as much as they are.
Normalizing Mental Health Talk | East Valley Moms Blog
Until I started posting about depression and anxiety, I never let any one in my circle know how I was feeling. People always tell others to reach out if they feel depressed, but as that person, it’s nearly impossible in that moment to reach out. Or if they do, they have a fear that their feelings won’t be taken seriously. With being open talking about mental health, we start a conversation, we try to normalize it.
 
Depression doesn’t really care how rich, or poor you are, or what color your skin is. Anxiety is the same way. Literally the entire world makes me anxious, but my medication has helped regular the chemicals in my brain to help with my Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Getting on medication has made me a better mother hands down, and I overall feel so much better and functional.
 
If you or someone you know is feeling suicidal, call the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255
 

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