Getting the Monkey off my back - Day 146: 5 Minute Freewrite: Wednesday - Prompt Monkey
Getting the monkey off my back
Depression and anxiety are things I have lived with in my life and had to work my way through. From a young age I had problems with anxiety and panic attacks. In my mid 20s I was presrcibed anti depressants. Dealing with mental health problems is tough but I find that one of the best medicines for me is to 'get the monkey off my back' and talk about it. It is tough to confront and have to deal with tough issues like depression. I have been to counselling for months and had to work on new ways of dealing with conflict - this was a big part of my depression and anxiety is that I couldnt deal with conflict well and would often shut down and panic.
There is a real stigma around mental health issues and it is something that we shy away from speaking about. However by not speaking about we are not adressing the issue and offering support and help for those who really need it. The rates of suicide in the world are astounding and I wonder how many people could have been saved if they had have gained help earlier and worked out their problems.
I have written about my problems in my blog before and I hope those reading can gain some insight from my past struggles.
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Did you catch my articles on natural ways to help depression from a couple of months ago? I think they might have been before we found each other. They may have something helpful for you in them.
https://steemit.com/health/@kiwideb/do-depression-and-anxiety-always-need-medical-treatment-i-say-no-part-1
https://steemit.com/health/@kiwideb/do-depression-and-anxiety-always-need-medical-treatment-i-say-no-part-2
Thanks for these links I havent seen them before I am having a look now!
You certainly are not alone and we do need to get rid of the stigma around mental health - it used to be there for cancer and we got rid of it - time to expand. thank you for sharing.
HUG! Depression has it's hold on many of my family and getting them to be open and sharing is a battle. It's hard to talk to someone about what society considers "dark thoughts". Too many with mental health issues are seen as being broken and then shyed away from. Being able to speak with someone about what is tearing our minds apart is therapeutic and so good for the soul. We are social creatures and holding our thoughts in can do more harm than good.
You're right that we need to speak out more about mental health and not avoid addressing them because they scare us and make us uncomfortable.
Your freewrite makes me think of the Christopher Titus line as he talked about his mother's suicide and his mental issues on stage, and how part of his comedy and speaking to a crowd is his therapy.
"This here, this is the difference between paycheck and medication and bedcheck."