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.
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.
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.
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.
NO EXCUSES: I absolutely hate this phrase. I exercised today for the first time in months. It was hard and felt great and I’m proud of myself. But during my workout I reflected on WHY I haven’t exercised much recently, and the difficulties I finally feel like I’m moving past, it reminded me of why……
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.
Read about why the advice of “thinking more positively” is based on a false premise. Depression requires professional help, just like any other health condition. Telling someone to “change their thoughts” is like telling a diabetic that their pancreas should just make more insulin.
Dear mama with depression, I see you struggling today. I feel it, too. You might feel like you are alone and no one understands, but that is not true. Depression lies. I want you to hear the truth.
