The Struggle of Mental Health

Historically, mental health issues were often misunderstood and were associated with one’s own personal failure. This caused judgement and mistreatment. We are surrounded by the stigma that mental illness is a sign of weakness and those who struggle with it, should be able to magically “get over it."  However, we know this is not true. 

I believe discussing mental health more openly will help individuals become more educated and reduce the misunderstandings that are associated with this stigma. I also believe it will allow others to become more open and will help reduce fear of judgement.

We’re starting off strong with this being my first official blog post. However, I think this topic is one that many of us can relate to in one way or another. I want to chop up this blog post into several different entries because it is such a broad area to cover. I also must clarify – I am not a therapist or a professional in any shape or form regarding this area. These are just my own personal experiences and thoughts.  

I will say I have struggled with anxiety and depression for several years now. This is not new to some people, and to others, it may be. Although I had anxious thoughts here and there throughout my teenage years (as we all do when we are younger), it wasn’t prevalent in my life until my sophomore year of college. This was a time in my life when I began questioning everything.  

I started to become more curious about the world and why things were the way they were - and why I was the way I was. I personally believe the more aware you are, the more likely you are to develop some form of anxiety. You see the world and people for how they truly are. It's like you open new eyes and you have an entirely new perspective. You also start putting the puzzle pieces together that you didn’t quite understand when you were younger. You begin to see others’ true intentions. You start to question your purpose in this life. 

I would start to question the littlest things to a point where I would completely spiral and breakdown because my brain felt like a big ball of confusion with constant questions. I was sad about nothing. I was anxious over everything. At the time, I couldn’t even pinpoint exactly what I was confused about. My friends would ask, “What are you anxious about?" or "What are you sad about?” I never had an answer. I always would reply, “I don’t know! I just...am!” Of course, there were some valid reasons as to why I felt the way I felt. I just didn’t realize it at the time.  

One reason for my struggles was due to a difficult relational break-up that basically altered my entire brain chemistry. Granted, it was a high school relationship and when those end, you feel like your entire life is over. It feels dramatic when you look back on it. You think, “If only I knew the things I know now, I wouldn’t have made it such a big deal.” I say this now, and perhaps years from now, I may say the same exact thing about a completely different situation. 

Although that played a role, I still had thoughts racing every second of every day – that is, until I discovered therapy and Prozac. 

These two things personally saved me (along with other factors, of course). I’m not saying that medications are going to solve all your mental health issues. I still personally continue to struggle, but nowhere near as much as I did in the past. I'm convinced one should always seek alternative options before consulting a doctor about medications. I personally had dealt with my mental health struggles for so long that by the time I started seeing my therapist, she said, “I honestly don’t know how you’ve done it this long without talking to someone.” 

And I am here to tell you - SEE A THERAPIST. I don’t care if you feel like you have completely figured life out (because you haven’t) and know the answers to all life’s questions (again, you don’t). I will always encourage others to see a therapist. I have benefited so much from this resource. Many people are quick to brush off therapy, saying they don’t need to vent to a random person about their problems. 

Honestly – that is what makes it so great. They know absolutely nothing about you. I am going to say though, you must find one that you connect with. I have known people who just simply do not connect with their therapist – and that is okay. You have to find one that suits you, and this may take several different people. And again, you may think therapy is not for you and that is okay. However, I will always recommend trying it first before assuming it will not work for you.

Mental health is just as important as our physical health. Everything is connected – our mental health affects everything. When we neglect our mental health, this can ripple into our physical well-being. I wanted to create this blog with a focus on mental health because I believe it is so important to talk about. I do not want to get too in-depth discussing medications and therapy just yet because there is so much to cover.  

For now, I just wanted to give you guys a little introduction into my thoughts regarding this topic.

If you read this far, thank you. 

I appreciate you!

Caroline Grace

xx