Practical Ways to Support a Friend Struggling with Mental Health Over the years, I’ve faced some tough spots with my mental health. There have been times when I felt overwhelmed, drained, and stuck in a fog of anxiety. One afternoon, a friend reached out to me, and we had a long conversation. Instead of offering advice or trying to fix things, they simply listened, letting me express everything I was feeling without judgment. The way they stayed calm and supportive made me feel like I wasn’t alone in what I was going through. Their encouraging words helped shift my perspective, and I felt a little more hopeful. It reminded me just how powerful it can be to have someone willing to listen and offer support, no matter how simple it seems. Supporting a friend with mental health challenges can feel overwhelming, especially if you’ve never been in their shoes. But even though you might not have all the answers, your care and understanding can make a big difference. Whether your friend ...

  The Cycle of Depression: Understanding the Loop and How to Cope.                                            Why Do I Feel Worse? Understanding the Vicious Cycle of Depression Depression can often feel like an overwhelming cloud that won’t lift, leaving you wondering, "Why do I feel worse?" It’s common for those struggling with depression to experience fluctuating moods, and sometimes, things seem to get harder despite efforts to improve. This can feel confusing and discouraging, but understanding the vicious cycle of depression can offer insight into why this happens. At its core, depression often creates a loop that reinforces itself, making it difficult to break free. This cycle begins with negative thoughts—thoughts about oneself, the world, and the future. A person may feel hopeless, worthless, or inadequate, leading to a sense of being stuck in an unending slump. T...

How I Am Navigating Routines and Social Interactions with Mental Health Challenges. "Living with depression and anxiety as an adult feels like constantly navigating through a storm in my mind, each day bringing a mix of calm and chaos." Some days, the symptoms are a subtle presence, lingering quietly in the background, while other days, it’s a heavy weight that makes even the simplest tasks feel overwhelming.  Mental illness affects millions around the world. In fact, one in five adults experiences mental illness at some point in their lives. This statistic highlights a reality that often remains hidden behind closed doors. By understanding the day-to-day experiences of those living with mental illness we can create spaces of compassion and support.  Not everything is black and white and it is important to remember that each person's experience varies widely. That is why it is my goal to start shedding light on these struggles to help others understand and have more em...

  Family Should Support You and Not Hurt You Toxic family dynamics can be incredibly damaging, often going unnoticed until the effects become too overwhelming to ignore. These relationships are characterized by patterns of unhealthy behavior, where love and support are replaced with negativity, manipulation, or emotional harm. As the holiday season approaches, we're often reminded of the joy that comes with spending time with family. It’s meant to be a time of celebration, connection, and warmth. But for some, the reality is far different. Instead of festive cheer, the holidays bring feelings of tension, resentment, and emotional strain, as toxic family dynamics take center stage.  Effects of Toxic Family on Mental Health Growing up in a toxic family environment can have profound and long-lasting mental effects on an individual. The individual may struggle with trust issues, often finding it difficult to form healthy relationships in adulthood.  This environment can als...

F acing Your Fears: Why It’s Okay to Talk About Mental Health Overcoming Fear to Have an Open Dialogue About Mental Health "Every time you avoid talking about mental health, you lose a piece of yourself." In this post, we will explore the reasons behind this fear, share effective strategies to foster honest conversations, and highlight the positive impacts of openly discussing mental health. By addressing our fears together, we can create a supportive environment for everyone. Fears That Arise With Mental Health Discussions: Fear often keeps us from discussing mental health openly, but breaking this silence is crucial. Overcoming the fear of having an open dialogue about mental health can lead to: Understanding  Support Healing Some common fears include: Stigma and judgment :  This includes judgments and assumptions made about people with mental illness. Keep in mind, that even though you have a mental illness does not mean that you do not direct those stigmas and judgments t...

Rediscovering Hope: Life Beyond Depression "Depression can feel like facing a long, dark hallway without an end. But there is a light at the end of the hallway and yes, some joy too." Understanding the Darkness Before we discuss finding joy, it’s important to understand more about depression. It’s not just feeling sad; it’s a weight that makes everything seem gray and heavy. A bad day can feel like a bad lifetime. According to the APA (American Psychiatric Association), some general symptoms of depression include: Mood: sad, anxious, hopeless, and irritable Loss of interest in activities and hobbies Eating more or less than usual Difficulty sleeping Tired or decreased energy I can relate to all of the symptoms mentioned, and there have been times when I've experienced them all at once. It took me a while to realize that the way I was feeling wasn’t just a bad mood or something I could just “snap out of.” Recognizing that what I was going through was part of an illness m...

Please enjoy this snippet! The official debut of my mental health blog is November 6th! The final name for the blog and the first blog article will be featured then.  Give Your Mental Health a Voice I started this blog to put a voice to the symptoms and experiences associated with mental illness. Living with depression involves dealing with not-so-obvious symptoms. Imagine not being able to sit in the dark because you feel like it will swallow it up, it feels like the walls are closing in and you feel like you are suffocating. That is how I describe the feelings of hopelessness and helplessness that I experience when I am experiencing the  symptoms  of depression.  Going through the daily routine becomes taxing and is done on autopilot with minimal energy.  Then, the detachment and feelings of disassociation set in... This blog is dedicated to myself and others who struggle with any mental illness. I hope that being candid, authentic, and honest about my experie...

Have you ever wanted to talk about your mental health but decided not to? If so, why did you decide to keep silent? One reason is that generally, topics that are hard to understand or relate to can bring discomfort to some; mental health and mental illness are no exception. Also, according to Dr. Patrick Corrigan, those with mental illness are secretive about it and their experiences because of the stigma and discrimination . It wasn't until just a few years ago that I began to feel more comfortable speaking about my experiences with mental illness and what it is like to manage my symptoms and navigate through life with depression and anxiety. Next month please join me in a conversation about mental health. With the holidays approaching it is important to keep the dialogue going about how to stay mentally healthy. One way is through the support of others including this blog space I created. Thank you for stopping by and stay tuned for more teasers and updates leading to the debut o...