INVESTING IN YOUR MENTAL HEALTH IS STRATEGIC NOT WEAK

Writing this for whoever needs to hear this. While May is mental health month and saying “I’m feeling depressed or anxious” is starting to get normalised as more and more people admit to the impact of coronavirus on their mental health, far too many people are still avoiding seeking professional help because of the stigma and misconceptions around mental health issues.

A couple of my friends reached out to me with “I am still not sure if it works” or “I’m scared to get addicted” (to medication) or “I don’t believe in it”. There’s the belief that you should power through and snap out of it, a belief which is especially present in developing countries.

So I’ll say it again: if you’re not feeling ok, it’s strategic, not weak, to seek professional advice. If anything, it’s irresponsible to let things fester – I’ve known people who avoid seeing dentists because they think it will go away on its own (and end up calling dentists at 3am because a tiny issue has developed into a full-blown root canal situation which could have been avoided in the first place).

Right now, we are going through an intensely traumatic and uncertain period. The COVID-19 pandemic is like an ever-present shadow of fear that lingers above our heads, weighing us down at every moment. So it's truly normal that so many of us are feeling overwhelmed, depressed, or anxious. More than ever, it's crucial that we do not play down our mental health.

Around this time last year, I went for a diagnosis with a psychiatrist and was prescribed three different sets of meds for a period of 3 months, which I was reluctant to take - medication really felt like an admission of weakness at the time. But I had been requested by my GP to conduct a series of diagnoses, and a psychological evaluation (as well as an endoscopy) was one of them. I’m glad I was able to discuss this thoroughly with the doctor – including fears such as, “Will I get hooked? Will I put on weight? Will this have side effects? What if it doesn’t work?” The doctor patiently worked me through those fears and through the first two weeks of taking them which are the most critical and difficult.

A professional is trained to help you meet your needs and address your concerns (including concerns relating to stigma!) and guide you towards what you need (in some cases, they may even tell you that you don’t need medication but a lifestyle reboot).

I wish I hadn’t waited years before getting such a diagnosis and treatment plan. Three months down the line, I was off the meds, and I felt stable. I dare say, I felt great. In this frame of mind, I felt I’d be more receptive to better patterns of behaviour, positive thinking and generally establishing healthy habits. I was able to get back to work and be a lot more productive, creative and enthusiastic than when I was dragging my tired mind through the motions day after day.

So all I can say is, if you are not ok it will never hurt to seek medical advice, whether for a physical or mental condition. At this particular juncture, it’s the smartest thing to do.