I am starting a Q & A section on my blog. These posts will cover interviews about mental health as well as how to practice self-care as a business owner, parent, and partner.
For this month’s blog post I interviewed someone that has experienced their own battles with mental health. We talked about topics such as “what are some phrases that you wish people wouldn’t use surrounding mental health” and “if they experienced push back for being on medication for their mental health.”
Their answers to these questions are packed with knowledge and empathy. I highly recommend reading through until the end.
These posts are meant to be informative and to help start conversations with the people around you about mental health. Each person is unique and there is no one size fits all approach to mental health and how to deal with it
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What is something that you wish people knew about mental health/mental health struggles?
A lot of people in an attempt to understand mental health associate it with having a “bad day” and struggling with mental health is a lot more serious than a “bad day”. It’s totally okay to admit that you have no idea how someone else is feeling or what they are dealing with. I think people wanna relate and think by saying “oh yeah, I’ve had some bad days too” it’ll help that person but in reality, it’s just too light a phrase for how hefty mental illness feels.
2. How can people best support you when you are walking through a tough season in regards to mental health?
Honestly, this answer will differ for everyone. Personally, though, it means the world to me when friends and family reach out. Something as simple as a text can really uplift my day, knowing that someone cares about me and validates what I’m experiencing is huge.
3. Throughout my mental health journey, I have had people say things that were meant to be supportive, but came out in a hurtful way. What are some phrases that you wish people wouldn’t use surrounding mental health?
“At least it’s not cancer”, “Choose Happy”, “Change your mindset!”
4. How does anxiety/depression affect your daily life?
Each day varies. Sometimes, things are a-okay! Typically though I experience a lot of mental fatigue that turns to physical fatigue which can be hard to push through. Some days there are tears, and laying in bed. Sometimes, there’s anger and irritability. But luckily, my medication helps to keep those days to a minimum.
5. Taking time for yourself is important. What do you do to take time for you?
I love my morning routine. It’s truly my favorite part of my day. I get up, take the dog out, make my bed, workout, drink some water, get my morning coffee and then shower. It really helps my overall mentality moving forward in my day.
6. What advice/words of encouragement do you have for someone that is walking through a tough season right now?
REACH OUT! Asking for any help can be the absolute hardest thing when you are in a dark space but it’s truly the only way to pull yourself out. If you can, try therapy first & foremost. Chat with your doctor about medication if therapy isn’t enough. Get a support group of friends, family, people you trust. And as much as I hated hearing it, “It gets better.” The dark place doesn’t last.
7. How can other partners support their loved ones with anxiety? What tips would you give them?
LISTEN. It took my wife and I a long time to understand what we each needed from each other when we were struggling with our mental health. It’s hard not to be able “to fix” your partner. You most likely want to be able to physically support them somehow, but the best thing you can honestly do is listen, stand by them, and walk with them through it. I don’t need someone to solve my mental health problems because realistically they can’t but what I do need is someone to hold my hand and remind me I’m not alone and this won’t last.
8. Are you on medication to support your mental health? If so, have you personally experienced pushback for that?
Yes, I do take medicine to support my mental health. I’m a huge advocate for trying therapy prior to turning to meds. Your therapist and doctor will know when therapy alone won’t cut it and suggest medication. When I initially started my medicine I was my biggest obstacle. I think it’s an ego thing to not wanna be dependent on a pill. After that, I did feel society’s view on mental health & medicine but I knew I needed the help more than I could afford to care about what others thought. At the end of the day, your overall health has to come before anyone or anything else.