When I was 19 years old I was misdiagnosed with OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder). Several years later, I was more adequately diagnosed with MDD (major depressive disorder) and GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). For well over a decade I have seen doctors, psychiatrists and psychologists, most of whom have done their best to help me on this journey called 'LIFE'. While some were better than others and I'm grateful for the help I have received, I realized a few things when it comes to mental health:
1. It is almost always impossible to get an appointment when you need an appointment. Am I right? I remember calling to find a psychiatrist or to see a new doctor and I would have to wait for months to get in, then to top it off I had to go and tell them my whole life story before they would even consider giving me any sort of medication....which brings me to number 2.
2. Medication. Let me say up front that I am not anti-medication. It has its place and is a great tool to be utilized when needed. However, I do not hesitate to say that the mental health and medical community seem to hand medication out like Tic-Tacs. It seems to be the quickest and only way to try and solve the problem. Never mind that it is a crap shoot to whether it will work or not. Never mind that there are other side effects that can and usually take place while on medications. Never mind that that seems to be the first thing anyone has to offer. Disregard all those and tell me, why is it that nobody in our mental health and medical community seem to take the time and explain to people exactly what is going on with our minds and bodies and how to best handle it? (Here comes Occupational Therapy to help).
3. It effects not only you but your family and loved ones as well. I have a wonderful wife and beautiful children who have stood by me for almost as long as I have been diagnosed. To say it has been a tumultuous ride would be an understatement. This has been not only a living hell for me, but has been at times for my loved ones as well. (Yet there is hope which I can offer not only to you, but to your loved ones as well).
4. Empathy. I have been so anxious that I have had severe panic attacks to where I think I am literally going crazy and need to be locked up. I have been so depressed that while I was not suicidal, if death came knocking on my door I would have said "Let me get my coat I'm going with you." (remember that feeling came even with a good job, wife, and kids). I have felt every other emotion in-between. I mention this so whomever is reading this can understand and know that I can EMPATHIZE with you when it comes to mental and emotional distress.
Long story short, I get it, you need help and you probably have never thought about occupational therapy as a means for helping you with your mental health. The good news is, I have lived it, I have been educated in it, and I have helped literally over 100 people learn to understand more about their minds, spirits and bodies to help them develop and learn coping skills needed so they can get back to their activities of daily living in a satisfying and independent way.
