I am not referring to the Quiet Riot album of the same name, but I am referring to my mental health. I suffer from 2 different conditions, but these conditions often go hand-in-hand.
Depression and anxiety.
I have suffered with depression my whole life. I went to therapy as a senior in high school. Supposed to be the most exciting time in one’s young life, but not mine. I worked (because I wanted to) most nights of the week, I went to school and got my usual good grades but beyond that… I really was never “happy.”
I was prescribed Prozac by my psychiatrist. I actually saw a phychologist for most of my appointments and the psychologist would come in at the end and read notes from the session and make sure I was taking my medication. At some point, I declared myself better and quit therapy and taking my Prozac.
Later in life I learn that I probably shouldn’t have just taken myself off of my medication. Probably should have talked to the psychologist about quitting therapy instead of just stop going. I could have saved myself from major depression in my 20’s and 30’s.
I guess it was my late 30’s that I started seeing a LCSW, not a psychologist or psychiatrist but more like a counselor. It did help to have an independent third party to talk to and get feedback. I went to him for a couple of years and I left that but it was mutual. I didn’t just quit.
My LCSW packed up shop and moved. If I need another one, I guess I’ll figure it out. But I won’t hesitate to make that call if it needs to be made…
I, then, got medication from my family doctor called Lexipro. I take that once a day, everyday. It really does help to medically balance your hormones out and bring a sense of balance to my brain.
After more therapy, I realized how much anxiety that I have and it roots back to childhood just as my depression did. In the 70’s and 80’s, mental health was scoffed at in social circles. Like you are defective if you have a mental illness or you are just weak. But mental health is just as important as physical health. They go pretty much hand-in-hand if you really think about it.
So, I went back to my family doctor and was prescribed Busiprone for anxiety. I need both to keep me well. I am the world’s worst at taking my pills. I can feel it when I miss a dosage and the people around can probably tell something is different even if they don’t know about my medications.
If you are depressed or have anxiety or both… please tell your doctor. Seek help. There is NO SHAME in getting treated for mental illness. It can only make your life better. I am living proof of that.