I have heard many reasons why someone may not be interested in seeking therapy throughout my years of professional practice and in my personal life,. There are many myths, misconceptions and fears about mental health therapy, and many reasons why folks don’t think they need counseling.
I didn’t realize the intrusive thooughts I had about my baby dying were because of prenatal anxiety. I knew that something was really wrong, but advocating for myself and learning to speak up more loudly was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Maternal mental health isn’t just about post-partum depression. Some women struggle with antepartum/prenatal depression, prenatal anxiety, and other disorders. You are not alone.
You never know when anxiety will hit you. Today it hit me at preschool drop-off and it took everything in me to leave him there. My brain was telling me that he was in danger. And I had to actively disregard that information when my instinct was pulling me to do the exact opposite. But I realized these were thoughts due to anxiety. This is my daily battle.
Anxiety can often bring intrusive thoughts that become extremely upsetting. I talked about this in therapy and I left with a bunch of ideas to combat the negative spiral these intrusive thoughts bring. These ideas are based on how the brain works and are designed to take you out of the fight-or-flight mode.
The holidays are supposed to be the happiest time of the year. But what if they’re not? A heart-wrenching experience that I had a few years ago right before Christmas has forever changed what I think about during the holidays. If you’re struggling, you’re not alone.
Anxiety tries to tell me I must control everything. I can get so worked up by the smallest things and I am learning how to talk myself down. It’s a difficult process, but one that I’m learning is very important for my mental health. Here’s 10 ways that I speak truth to my anxiety.
The problem with getting help for depression and mental illness is there can be so many obstacles to overcome to get it. It can feel like a losing battle as you try over and over again to seek treatment, and are forced to jump through a bunch of hoops to receive basic care.
Depression sucks. It sucks because the way it affects you can change throughout time and circumstances. It’s a moving target. I recently felt my depression hit me harder than it has in a very long time and it taught me a valuable lesson about self-care.
Real moms share personal stories about their struggles with mental health in motherhood. Some women have struggled during pregnancy, post-partum, and during stressful times of motherhood. Other moms have long-term conditions that they have learned to manage and cope with. Find hope and validation in these stories.
During my third pregnancy I suddenly plunged into a level of darkness that I never knew. Getting through each day became harder and harder and I eventually hit my breaking point. The conflicting emotions of depression and loving your children makes this struggle all the more painful.
