Cannabidoil (CBD OIL); My Personal Discovery towards Wellness

***PLEASE READ TO THE END***

As many of you may already know, last year I decided to stop taking antidepressant medications after two (+) years of unsuccessful results.  In that two (+) years of trying at least 20 different combinations of drugs it further complicated matters as my immune system became weakened and in turn created so many additional problems.  When my husband and I approached my Psychiatrist at the time about our decision to stop my medications in order to give my body a much needed rest, he was not a willing participant however he agreed and began the difficult task of weaning me off all the drugs I was taking.

The process of weaning off many of these drugs can be a very slow and very painful one, but the damage they were causing my body was unfathomable in comparison.  Many of the physical symptoms that manifested over the two (+) years began to disappear as the detox took place.  What this meant for me was no more weekly or monthly visits to Rheumatologists, Dermatologists, Cardiologists, Gastroenterologists and a variety of other specialists.  What this also meant for me was the uncertainty of “now what”?   My Psychiatrist did urge me to try one more medication which ended in the same unfortunate result as all the prior attempts, including ECT and Ketamine during some of my hospital admissions.

Although I was no longer dealing with many of the physical issues anymore I was back to square one which led me to begin abusing my body in other ways to try and mask my depression and anxiety.  Over the past year (+) I have spent a great deal of time researching other methods of recovery by reading one self-help book after another, trying medical marijuana and several other non-traditional techniques which led me to the discovery of CBD oil.

CBD which stands for Cannabidioil is a cannabis compound that is said to have a significant amount of medical benefits, without leaving you feeling “stoned” or change your state of mind and is being used as an anti-inflammatory, antidepressant and antipsychotic remedy.  Researchers say that we are all born with cannabinoid receptors which are “located throughout the body and are part of the endocannabinoid system, which is involved in a variety of physiological and central nervous system processes including appetite, pain sensation, mood, immune function, sleep, bone development and memory.”

CBD is quickly becoming a household name.  It is a welcomed source of pain management for people trying to avoid taking harmful and sometimes deadly opiates; it has also been known to manage epileptic seizures; and is being used more and more as a therapeutic approach to Cancer, Lupus, Autism, Parkinson’s, Diabetes, Alzheimer’s, Arthritis, MS, along with Heart / Liver & Kidney Diseases.  Besides these amazing benefits CBD is also said to relieve inflammation in the body, digestive issues, fibromyalgia, nausea, migraines, skin conditions like psoriasis and acne, and many mental health conditions from OCD, ADD/ADHD, psychosis, bi-polar, depression & anxiety.

Recently I came upon a company in the States that was marketing CBD oil along with a number of other products, many of which contain CBD.  I reached out to several individuals in the company and began researching the products, their affects, its legality and then read probably hundreds of testimonies.  In the end, it was the testimonies that left me in tears and an even larger desire to try it for myself.  As I have mentioned recently, my resources have run thin and I have been told time and time again that I have treatment resistant depression, so I figured why not?

My husband also encouraged me to give it a try after he too spent a great deal of time researching the oil as well as the company itself.  It took about a week for the bottle of oil to arrive and that night I eagerly started taking it.  I was told to start with the 500 mg bottle (I ordered the peppermint flavor), taking 5 drops under my tongue in the morning and 5 drops before bed.  After a few days I began to increase it until I reached a therapeutic dose.  I have now been taking it for a month and decided that was more than enough time to give a fair assessment.  When I wake up in the morning feeling anxious, within minutes of taking my dose my heart palpitations subside and my nausea dissipates.  I have never had this happen to me before with any other medication I have tried, not even when I have abused a recommended dose given by doctors.  I am still taking it twice a day and take it more often when facing adversity or any type of social situation.  I ordered a second bottle last week and I am awaiting its arrival along with a spray to help with sleep.  I have increased it to the 750 mg bottle this time in hopes that it will begin to take control of my depression as well.

http://www.hempworx.com/jahara my own personal website

http://www.mydailychoice.com/jahara

The Law of Attraction

This time of the year often poses a heightened threat to my sense of purpose by getting caught up in a vicious web of distractions when the usual chaos of life is being forced out of sync.  It is a particularly challenging time of year, one where I compare myself to that of a hamster on his wheel, confined to a tiny cage, running around in circles, feeling unfulfilled, inadequate, empty, hopeless and uncertain.  This rush of emotions, much like the hamster on his wheel is always on autopilot, most of the time unaware of his efforts.

I have spent the past few weeks on autopilot, unaware of my surroundings and unaware of my efforts.  I have been struggling to write, struggling to spend time on my social media pages and struggling to focus on my purpose.  The magnification of these struggles has however led me to become aware as to how a person like me can begin to ‘live life on purpose’ by seeking some guidance towards self-empowerment.  Self-empowerment is made up of several components, and I know somewhere deep down, it resides within me.  It is first and foremost understanding your self-worth, which has been by far my biggest struggle to date.  It is a willingness to see yourself for who you are and know that you have the right to control your life and well-being on a spiritual, physical, emotional and mental level.  Self-empowerment is also finding the insight and inspiration to envision and generate a life worth living and in turn walking away from one that is not.

In order to live my life on purpose or give some clarity to it, I first need to find the strength, be able to express my true strength and finally take action through self-empowerment by developing a plan as to how I can gain that strength.  I have learned so much throughout my journey thus far, most of which not too many people could ever begin to understand or even relate to which is one of the reasons I began to share my story.  What this journey has taught me is that there is no quick fix, just like pixie dust or magic beans, there is no such thing as a magical pill to make everything better; no matter how much willpower someone has, it will not cure you; it is a myth that time heals all wounds, it may teach us how to live with the scars or cover up the pain, but it will forever be a part of you.  Simply put the direction I want to go all begins and ends with me.

With all that in mind and knowing I still have so many obstacles standing in my way, I am continually trying to evolve into a person who can live a life on purpose.  Just recently I returned to the gym where I have started swimming again and with the help of my husband, ensuring that this becomes a priority.  I am trying to figure out a way to have balance in my life and in doing so I am learning how to slowly let go of many toxicities in my life.  There is the belief that to be able to truly live your life on purpose one needs to be impacted by the “Law of Attraction” which uses the power of our mind to transcend our thoughts into reality when focusing on the positive.

Unfortunately one of the biggest obstacles standing in my way of gaining self-empowerment or finding the ability to live a life on purpose is the incapability to control the way I feel or the truthfulness of my thoughts.  Each day is filled with doubt, indecision and hesitation as I continue to explore my destination.  Experts say that we have over 50,000 thoughts per day and that 70 percent of depressed or anxious brains are negative ones.  So is it true that the theory and physics behind the “Law of Attraction” is real, a theory that has been practiced for centuries, a theory that is telling me that all I need to do to survive, or become self-empowered and begin to live my life on purpose is to ask for what I want and be prepared (as prepared as a friggen boy scout!) to be handed it.

New Year’s Resolutions When Suffering With Depression

Every year on January 1st millions of people around the globe make a solemn promise to themselves that they are going to ‘turn over a new leaf’.  We promise ourselves that we are ready to leave behind an undesirable bad habit or behaviour, and for some, we believe we are ready to accomplish a new personal goal in order to change our lives for the better.  We have heard them all before; I’m going to start to eat healthy, lose weight and exercise more; I’m going to quit smoking or drink less; I’m going to improve my finances, start a new career, volunteer at my favourite charity or go back to school; I’m going to read more, relax more, take a vacation, study more or pursue a new hobby; I’m going to spend more quality time with my family and friends, less time on social media and improve upon my mental well-being.

We enter into each new year with great intent to follow through on our resolutions, however, statistics show that even with our great intentions, close to 90 percent of people fail to meet their goal, and quickly.  Maybe it was because we made too many promises to ourselves, or maybe we just got busy again with life and forgot that we even made these promises to begin with, or maybe we were just too drunk when we came up with the idea in the first place! (LOL)

At one time or another in my life when New Year’s Day rolls around, I have set out to accomplish many of these resolutions and for the most part I quickly become one of the many statistics who could not succeed in their efforts.  Nowadays, the thought of making any kind of New Year’s Resolution is met with very crippling emotions.  It is a simple reminder that another year has passed and I am still battling to overcome adversity.  It is a simple reminder that I am unable to feel triumphant and it is by far a simple reminder that I am still left feeling defeated in my efforts.

There is a great deal of pressure surrounding New Year’s and especially when it comes to resolutions.  A new year signifies a fresh start, reflecting on the year that we are leaving behind, a time for a rebirth if you may.  It is a time for tradition and rituals like sipping champagne or kissing your loved ones at midnight.  It is a time for us to celebrate, a time for reflection, a time to take control and it is a time for great promise.  Clearly it is a time for transformation.

Living with depression and anxiety looming over you 365 days in a row, threatening your will to live, your motivation and your purpose can impede greatly on your ability to make that transformation at the start of a New Year.  Trust me I have tried.  Instead I feel like I am a flying trapeze artist, with no safety net below, no safety harness attached to me, trying to hang on for dear life.  Each day I find myself trying to climb up that ladder to the trapeze, stepping on a very narrow platform, grabbing hold of the very cold bar dangling in the air and begin swinging, hoping something will finally catch me before I fall.  Each day as I swing from the flying trapeze I aim to soar across to the other side, embracing my future and devoid of the darkness in my past, clearly trying to find my transformation.

As 2018 quickly approaches I will not be making any New Year’s Resolutions this year as it is best to not overwhelm myself with more feelings of failure or disappointment.  I will not pressure myself into thinking that the start of a New Year will translate into a new me.  I have already lost three New Years to date and I have yet to find that transformation I so desperately need to survive this disease, not without lack of trying.  So for now as I enter the New Year, I will try to hang on to that bar, I will try to keep swinging and I will try to learn how to soar.

“Why Me?”, Finding Acceptance Within

At some point in your life you have probably looked at yourself in the mirror, fixated on the unrecognizable image staring back at you, preoccupied and possibly dazed, you whisper to the world, “why me?”  “Why me” is most often expressed at a time when you are left trying to understand why you have been put into a difficult situation, or why something bad has happened to you.  “Why me” limits your sense of hope and control and leaves you with more questions than answers causing extra unnecessary exhaustion while trying to balance your thoughts.

Throughout my journey I have subconsciously found myself in front of that mirror too many times to count, fixated on the unrecognizable image staring back at me, preoccupied and dazed, whispering to the world, “why me?”  When looking in that mirror the most overwhelming emotion that comes to mind is how much I miss the person I used to be.  It is met with significant and intense pain, sadness and heartache as I have had to learn how to accept my fate for what it is because resistance and denial only deepen the wounds.

Acceptance of any kind can often be unfair, sometimes difficult and many times extremely challenging or downright impossible.  Learning to accept that I have a Mental Illness has been met with a great deal of opposition and a lot of trial and error.  It has taken on so many different faces as I have had to confront it head on and figure out how to acclimatize to it.  As I have been working toward my mental wellness, I have discovered many stumbling blocks along the way, and of late, finding myself moving two steps forward only to be quickly taken back three more.

Even though I have been able to accept the path in which I have been ushered down, I truly have given up on the hope that one day I will have some extraordinary metamorphosis or peace of mind.  It is difficult to accept something that is so taboo and stigmatized, but it’s a part of me, a part of who I am now.  Like it or not, this is my battle to win or lose, and with or without acceptance of it, I am the only person in charge of my own fate.  I know I cannot change the past or what has happened to me, I just need to play the cards in which I have been dealt.  So for now this is my acceptance.

In order to completely accept the journey I am on, I have begun to examine deep down inside myself.  I am trying to picture a reinvented future self and having to find the patience to do so knowing that it will be a slow, painful insight.  I have had to see things for what they really are, as inconceivable as they may seem.  I have also had to figure out and understand what works and what doesn’t work as my resources have become more and more of a challenge.  I know that a huge part of finding acceptance within is by surrounding myself with supportive, genuine people who can and do embrace all of me.  I need to be honest with myself and recognize that I cannot change the past, but most of all I need to learn how to stop punishing my present self.

So next time I find myself standing in front of that mirror, fixated on the unrecognizable image staring back at me, preoccupied and dazed, whispering to the world, “why me?”, I will try to see the more favourable part of my journey.  I will think about the acceptance I have given to others as well, by sharing my story over the past year, showing the real me, educating others who may be struggling themselves or have a loved one who is struggling to find their acceptance.  I will know that by learning to accept my mental illness, I am helping to end the stigma and in doing so I may even begin to recognize my purpose in this life.  They say that things happen for a reason, so maybe next time I stare at myself in that mirror instead of whispering to the world, “why me?”, maybe the best way to find acceptance within me is to instead shout out to the world, “WHY NOT ME?”

Make Your Bed

Recently I watched a commencement speech given by Admiral William H. McRaven, a retired U.S Navy Seal, in 2014 to the graduating class at the University of Texas.  I was so intrigued listening to his speech which recounted 10 lessons he learned from his 6 months of grueling, demanding, tiring and debilitating Navy Seal training.  These 10 lessons not only apply to life as a Navy Seal, but it equally applies to the challenges that each and every one of us endure as human beings living in an uncertain world.

After giving his speech in 2014, which went viral, Admiral William H. McRaven decided that he still had so much more to share with the world from his 37 year career as a U.S Navy Seal (which included the capturing of Saddam Hussein).  He felt a responsibility to expand on how those 10 simple lessons helped shape his life and did so by publishing a book a few months ago titled “Make Your Bed”.  It is a small but extremely powerful, compassionate and optimistic book that I was able to read with ease.  It is subtitled “Little Things That Can Change Your Life…And Maybe The World”.  That for me was what caught my eye as I am always looking for inspirational and relevant words that pertain to my life.

Each of the 10 chapters recounts stories of perseverance, suffering, determination, courage and humbleness.  Even through all of the hardships he endured, he still finds a way to motivate and captivate his readers with his knowledge and experience.  He reminds us that life is not meant to be attempted alone, that we all need a strong team behind us, cheering us on and picking up the slack when times get tough.  He teaches us the importance of respect and to never ever caste judgement on others.  He conveys to us that life is not always fair and that sometimes bad things do happen to good people.  He proves to us that failure IS an option and it will only help build character and strength.  He shows us that we all must take risks in order to get through the toughest obstacles that may be standing in our way.  He tells us to never back down from our fears, that it is better to face them straight on in order to find the courage to move forward.  He emphasizes that no matter what darkness may be thrown our way at some point in our lives, and it will, make sure to find the hopefulness and power within us to never ever give up.

The title “Make Your Bed” which is in turn, the first chapter of the book is also the foundation for which all the other chapters are built on.  How many times as a child did your parents tell you to make your bed, and how many times as a parent yourself have you mimicked those words to your own children.  My kids can attest to this as I am constantly bugging them to complete this task, but I am continually let down in my efforts.

The Admiral drills into his reader’s heads how important it is to accomplish this task, no matter how small or senseless it may seem to many it can actually change the way you approach your day.  He believes that if you want to change your life or conquer the world, it starts by completing this task first thing every morning, igniting a positive tone for what challenges may be thrown your way that day.  It helps lay to rest the struggles you may have encountered the day before, giving you fresh opportunities to face another day productively and ensure you complete many more tasks throughout your day.  As silly as it may seem, developing this good habit can also help reduce your stress level and de-clutter your mind, as when you walk into your room with a well made bed the aura of cleanliness will always make you smile and not to mention the satisfaction you feel when you get back into your tidy bed at the end of the day.  Lastly, by completing this simple task at the start of every day can help to reinforce the importance that its the little things in life that truly matter and who in this world doesn’t need a healthy dose of that.  I for one do, and from now on, the start of every day (whatever time that may be), I will be completing this task, maybe with hospital corners and all…and maybe just maybe, it will inspire my kids to follow…ya right, who am I kidding?

*I encourage everyone to watch Admiral William H. McRaven’s commencement speech on YouTube…or read his book!*

Is There A Light At the End Of My Tunnel?

*WARNING*  TRIGGERING TO SOME

Suicide is complex. Suicide is taboo.  Suicide is irrational thinking.  Suicide is stigmatized.  Suicide is distorted.  Suicide is hopelessness.  Suicide is guilt.  Suicide is permanent.

Suicide is in no way a character flaw, nor does it make you weak, instead it is an overwhelming pain that you wish could go away right now.  Over the past few years thoughts of suicide have entered my mind…daily.  I’m not going to lie when I tell you that I think about dying more than I think about living.  It crosses my unconscious mind probably 10 to 15 times per day, and it can happen anytime or anywhere.  I can be waking up in the morning, I can be watching TV, I can be spending time with you, it really has no boundaries.  

The act of trying to end my own life has entered my mind, and has been attempted with an unconscious plan.  Suicide can be broken down into two ideations, the first being passive and the latter being active.  Having active thoughts of suicide means that someone has a strong desire to die and it is accompanied by a concise plan on how to carry out that plan.  Being passively suicidal also involves a strong desire to die however there is no concise or active plan in place to attempt or complete their plan.  

I have been asked by many Mental Health professionals if I have “a plan” and if so what is it.  I have never admitted to an active plan, only to my passive ideations.  I have also been asked by many Mental Health professionals what stops me from actively carrying out my passive ideations.  The answer is always the same…my kids and the repercussions it would have on their future.  They would forever be left with the burden, the guilt, the anger and the grief associated with the stigma surrounding my death.  

Unfortunately there have been many times over the past few years when I look at it from a much different perspective.  A perspective where I feel so alone, one where I feel like the struggle isn’t worth it, one where I feel defeated by this disease, one where the pain seems like it has exceeded my resources and one where my passive ideations become more active.  

Having thoughts of suicide feels like nothing matters and that you are more of a burden to everyone by being alive, and that they would be much better off without you…maybe even happier.  I no longer recognize the once happy, outgoing, creative, and caring individual that I once was.  Instead I have become an empty, alienated, angry and tired shell of my former self.   Feeling suicidal is as though you are stuck inside a tunnel with no way out.  It’s dark, it’s scary, it’s lonely and you can’t see the light at the other end so it’s much easier to just give up.   

I am trying to refocus my healing process because I am running out of options.  Giving up I am told is not an option, so maybe as I refocus my healing process I will be able to one day reach that light at the end of my tunnel.

This To Me Is Unacceptable

Over the past several years I have spent countless hours in therapy, both one on one and in a group setting.  I have spent countless hours with Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social Workers, Crisis Workers and Psychotherapists.  Many are covered by our Health-Care System and many more are not.  No matter what their title is or what the purpose for my visit is, one thing is always for certain, I become paralyzed with anxiety and panic leading up to my appointment.  It doesn’t matter if it is someone I have never seen before or someone I have seen numerous times, or even someone I see on a weekly basis, the results are always the same.  I go to bed the night before with heart palpitations, nausea and very negative self-talk, only to awake the next morning to continue the same cycle.  I stare at my phone desperately wanting to call and cancel my appointment feeling too sick and unable to drive.

This past week was no different.  My appointment was with someone I have being seeing quite regularly, but still I had a terrible night sleep as usual and the thought of getting out of bed was too much.  My husband drove me to my appointment which was at a hospital not so close to home.  I arrived at the therapist’s office which is in the out -patient mental health department of the hospital, so you can probably imagine how busy it is.  I check in with the receptionist as I do every time I go there, handing my health card to her to verify my information.  She thanks me and kindly tells me to have a seat while she lets the therapist know that I am there.  As I wait to be called in the feelings of anxiety and panic are only escalating.  What feels like an eternity, the receptionist calls me back over to her desk which was unusual.  She then informs me that she just found out upon contacting the therapist that he had called in sick that morning.  My feelings of anxiety and panic soon turned to rage.

It wasn’t as though my appointment was first thing in the morning and the day had just begun, yet no one seemed to have been informed of his absence.  I’m pretty sure that this would not have occurred if my appointment was in a private facility.  When dealing with an environment such as a mental health department where patients are already quite vulnerable this to me is unacceptable.

I get that as Canadians we are lucky that a visit to the hospital doesn’t involve paying out of pocket, but our healthcare system is failing us in so many other ways.  Have you visited an emergency room recently?  I have, and it’s a nothing short of a nightmare.  It’s overflowing with sick and elderly people.  People are lined up everywhere on stretchers sometimes waiting several days to be admitted to a room.  When making a visit to a hospital it’s usually no less than 4 to 6 hours of wait time. This to me is unacceptable.

I get that we as Canadians don’t have to pay to see most specialists, but at what cost?  I have been on wait lists for months.  I just realized recently that one such referral made by my GP close to a year ago to a specialized therapist has still not even scheduled my appointment.  When I had called in the past to find out when I should expect to hear from them, the answer is always the same and so I just stopped calling and put it out of head.  This to me is unacceptable.

What about when you do finally get a much anticipated appointment with a specialist.  I have had to go through the process several times with different types of doctors and although the wait times may have been unacceptable none have been more discouraging than the process of finding a new psychiatrist due to mine moving away last spring.  There is a lack of psychiatrists in Ontario, and I get that they are very busy, but from my knowledge, a psychiatrist is a medical doctor who focuses on mental health and in many circumstances prescribes medication to their patients.  So why then have I been introduced to not one, but two psychiatrists who have met with me and made suggestions on medications and other things only to put the onus on my GP to look after my follow up care and prescriptions?  My doctor is not a psychiatrist nor has she ever claimed to be one, nor is she comfortable prescribing medication for mental illnesses. This to me is unacceptable.

There is really no right or wrong answer or the perfect System and it can be debated for days or months or even years, but from someone who has been living through the nightmares of our Health-Care environment I can tell you firsthand that this to me is beyond unacceptable.

Turning My Dreams Into Goals

From the time we are very small we begin to dream.  We dream of becoming a princess or a superhero.  We dream of becoming rich and famous.  We dream of becoming successful.  We dream of finding love and happiness.  We dream of building a family which may mean something different for everyone.  We dream of living in a world filled with peace.  We dream with purpose and desire.  Some of our dreams can be scary, some can be frustrating and some will come true, but first they need a plan, a vision and a focus.  First they need to be written down, discussed out loud and turned into a goal.

When suffering with depression and anxiety setting goals is probably one of my biggest obstacles.  It is both overwhelming and extremely discouraging to say the least.  Goals that were once easy to accomplish, simple and realistic are now filled with regret, guilt and negativity.  I write my goals down almost daily, even the ones that are straightforward, effortless and uncomplicated for most people like running an errand, getting my nails done or booking an appointment over the telephone will in turn cause me severe anxiety and panic.  For many of these simplistic and attainable goals I find myself staring at them on my calendar and moving them over to another day, sometimes taking me the better part of a week to accomplish it.

I have stated before that suffering from depression and anxiety is like playing a game of tug of war.  You are constantly  being pulled into your past and fearing your future.  This continuously vicious cycle has lead me into a very dark place recently as I try and reach some of my goals.  Not the small, simple and realistic goals, but the ones that have begun pulling me WAY, WAY back into my past, and CAPSIZING my future.

Even through my darkness I know what motivates me, I know what I would do if I could do more, I know what I want to be able to do, I know what I care most about, I know where I wish my life could be and I know what brings me happiness.  With all this in mind I know I need to be realistic, I know I need to focus on what’s important, I know I need to readjust this haze, I know I need to be proud of my accomplishments, I know I need to do this without feeling societal pressure and I know I need to do it for myself and no one else.

Feeling like my life has no meaning or purpose is what is obstructing me from acquiring my goals.  I have been taught recently that in order to be successful in achieving my goals I need to start by setting S.M.A.R.T goals. This acronym stands for

S: Specific

M: Measurable

A: Attainable

R: Realistic &

T: Time Specific

For now I will continue to write down my goals, even the most simple ones.  For now I will continue to review my goals, even the most simple ones.  For now I will continue to amend my goals, even the most simple ones.  For now I will continue to visualize my goals, even the most simple ones.  For now I will look for inspiration in attaining my goals, even the most simple ones.  For now these are my S.M.A.R.T goals.

Loving Someone with Depression

Suffering from depression is more than just a feeling of sadness.  It affects how you think, feel and function on a daily basis.  It can prevent you from working, going to school or participating in many social settings.  It can hinder your ability to concentrate, or enjoy activities that once gave you great pleasure.  It can interfere in your sleep and appetite, either eating or sleeping too much or too little, deeply affecting your energy level, and it can impede greatly on your relationships with your loved ones.

Trying to help a loved one suffering from depression can be extremely frustrating, stressful, challenging and exhausting to say the least, in turn causing some of the strongest bonds to become strained and/or terminated. Just like the individual who is suffering from depression, a loved one may feel helpless and discouraged in their attempts to support them.   For the individual suffering from depression it can and does transpire into feelings of being a burden to their loved ones and can and does create a great deal of guilt, no matter how old or how young you are.

I have felt first hand the affects my depression has caused for my loved ones, their frustration, their sadness and their inability to “fix” me.  Please know first and foremost that it is not up to you to “fix” me, you are not to blame and you are most certainly not responsible for what I am going through.  I know that my depression is hurtful to you and I know how difficult it is for you to understand, let alone know how to help.

Please know that I don’t “choose” to feel this way, please know that I can’t just “snap out of it”, please know that I don’t always have a reason, please know that it is never my intent for you to take it personally, please know that it overpowers me and please know that it is a constant battle.

Please know as well that I am very much aware that “others have it worse”, please know that I am grateful for my amazingly supportive husband and that I have been blessed with 3 beautiful, healthy children and please know that I appreciate you and all your sentiments, I really, really do.

If the Stigma surrounding Mental Illness is ever going to end, it needs to start with kindness and education.  When someone you love is suffering from depression or any other Mental Illness the first and most important thing someone can do is to start by educating themselves and learning how to talk about it in a thoughtful, compassionate and sensitive way.  It’s not advice we may be looking for, but instead it’s wanting and needing someone to listen and offer words of encouragement and hope.

It’s okay to ask questions, in fact it’s imperative to ask questions.  It’s important to be non-judgmental and patient.  Show you care with words and gestures, check-in as often as you can, give hugs when needed, stop by for a visit, let them know you are there for them.  Just please don’t ever devalue our feelings or desert us no matter how hard it may be.  You wouldn’t desert a loved one suffering from any other debilitating and sometimes deadly illness, would you?

You Are Enough

This week I once again faced a difficult challenge.  I was asked to look inside myself and make a conscious effort to find one personal strength of mine.  Once upon a time I could have answered you without batting an eyelash.  Now, instead what it did to me was trigger emotions and feelings of self-doubt, worthlessness and vulnerability creating darkness beyond repair.

Depression and Anxiety have taken away my ability to feel any type of pride or confidence in myself.  They have taken away my ability to believe in my own capabilities and successes.  They have taken away my ability to be satisfied, feel valued and accept both my strengths and weaknesses, and lastly, they have taken away my ability to feel love for myself.  In a nutshell, they have taken away my “self-esteem”.

Self-esteem is a subjective view based on one’s own personal and favorable impression of their worth and abilities.  Most people with a high or healthy level of self-esteem are very self-aware and confident in their own character, feelings and desires, but when someone like myself struggles with depression and anxiety they lose those feelings and desires.

Having an unhealthy or very low self-esteem has caused me to view myself and the world around me in a very unrealistic way.  It exaggerates my limitations, mistakes and imperfections, putting significant strain on many important relationships in my life.  Over the past few years it has undoubtedly kept me from setting achievable and attainable goals for fear of more failure or the improbability of success.  It also has and continues to rob me of the ability to appreciate or value my external being as well, no matter how hard I try.

Trying to boost your self-esteem back to a healthy level takes a great deal of strength.  “Of all the judgements I pass in life none are as important as the ones I pass on myself”.  This quote is from Nathaniel Branden, a Psychotherapist and author of several books on the topic of Self Esteem.  One such book he wrote titled Six Pillars of Self Esteem focuses on the importance of creating healthy, attainable achievements and healthy, successful relationships with oneself and others, providing the foundation for happiness and worthiness.

I know deep down I am solely responsible for my own actions and choices, I know deep down I am solely responsible for fulfilling my wants and needs, I know deep down I am solely responsible for achieving my goals I so desperately want, I know deep down I am solely responsible for my beliefs and how I conduct myself and I know deep down I am solely responsible for finding my purpose in this world through compassion, understanding, and acceptance.  I know deep down I need to learn to forgive myself…

 

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