I am a mother that battles with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and agoraphobia. While there are definitely overlaps in these conditions, every single one of them makes my life difficult. I’ve written before about how my depression has caused suicidal thoughts, how my bipolar has made focusing nearly impossible, and how my panic disorder has made it nearly impossible to leave my house. Those are just small insights into what I really go through on a daily basis. Trying to juggle being a super mom, a loving fiance, a good daughter, an awesome sister, and a writer with these conditions is enough to make me feel like I’m losing my mind constantly.
Did you know that one in five American adults suffer from at least one mental health condition? The most common of these conditions are depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. If you don’t have a mental health disorder, there’s a really high chance that one of your loved ones does.
Despite how isolating these conditions are, it helps to know that I am not alone. Even more, I feel hopeful when I know that there are things that can help. Below are a few different options that may help you with your mental health disorders.
Having Support
One of the most important things a person with mental health disorders can have is support. Knowing that there is at least one person in your corner that you can talk to when things start to get rough makes a huge difference.
Most of the time, your support person is a loved one, but there are times when family and friends just do not understand what is going on inside your head. They may take offense to your mood swings or be condescending towards a panic attack. If you don’t have anyone for support in your everyday life, it is perfectly ok to reach beyond your normal network and find a therapist or counselor to support you in your quest to get better.
Some of my best supporters have been people that I have never met in real life. I spent my pre-kid years as a gamer and met many friends online who had some of the same issues as me. We connected and were able to talk about our problems without the fear of hurting anyone’s feelings. There are always people available to help you through your own troubles, you just have to reach out to find them.
Talk Therapy
Talk therapy is usually done in a clinical setting and is there to help you achieve your mental health goals. Therapy may be one-on-one with a counselor, social worker, psychiatrist, or psychologist. There is also the option of group therapy where you communicate with your peers who are struggling with the same or similar conditions.
One of the benefits of talk therapy is that you are able to learn how to better understand your emotions and your triggers. Talking through your personal problems helps to put them into perspective with your mental illness so you are better able to find solutions or coping mechanisms.
CBD Oil
One of the most discussed topics in the mental health community recently is CBD oil. CBD, or cannabidiol, is an extract from cannabis or hemp, with many benefits for mental health. One of CBD oil’s most important benefits is its power to help users effectively manage stress. Stress can worsen the effects of most mental illnesses and is often the underlying cause of many anxiety issues, causing aggravated symptoms, mania, or panic attacks.
CBD oil’s cannabinoids interact with the body’s endocannabinoid system – the system is responsible for regulating mood, sleep patterns, and more. By stimulating this system, endocannabinoids and other hormones are released, resulting in a calm feeling and lower stress levels. Some research has shown that cortisol may be inhibited when CBD is ingested, meaning that it may take the body out of that ‘fight-or-flight’ mode, helping the body relax.
People who have anxiety disorders may be able to prevent or get rid of their panic attacks with the help of CBD oil. CBD oil tinctures or even a CBD vape oil are great tools to have in your mental health box.
Medications
A 2013 study showed that one in six Americans takes some sort of psychiatric drugs, such as an antidepressant or a sedative. With the stigma around mental health medications, it’s hard to not feel like a failure if you have to take one of these. However, I’m here to tell you that managing your symptoms with a medication is no indicator of failing.
On a daily basis, I take seven pills. I take Lithium twice a day, Seroquel three times a day, and Buspar twice a day. This is to manage my anxiety, my depression, and my mania. I am still not exactly where I would like to be with my mental health, but because of these medications, I am able to grocery shop without having a panic attack. My mood is stable and I’m not slipping into a depression that has me stuck in bed for days.
Medications alone will not ‘fix’ your mental health disorder. Neither will therapy or taking a walk. All of the things mentioned are just tools to help you achieve your mental health goals.
