1 month into treatment and living on the suicidal spectrum (TW/CW)
Leanna Lee
B2B/B2C Content Writer + Copywriter | Disability Inclusion Consultant | The Chronic Worker/Chronically Self Employed | Bettermental Podcast
One month in, I'm doing a lot better. But we've still got a hell of a ways to go.
Hard to believe it's been a full month since my crisis post. Before I dive in, I just want to give a huge thanks to those of you (friends and strangers!) who have reached out to me since then. I so appreciate it.
I also didn't expect (though probably should have) some of my coworkers to read the post. My brain being firmly focused on the negative, I imagined getting in trouble for being in crisis. Thankfully, everyone has been supportive and I'm very grateful for that.
Now on to the main update.
Mental health update summary (short recap)
When I last posted, I was several months into a major depressive episode and several weeks into a suicidal-level health emergency, un-medicated, and trying to work on a plan.
I'm happy to report that I now have a psychiatrist and am on multiple medications, which I am responding well to. We've also established that there are no major underlying chronic medical conditions that could be exacerbating my depression.
In the past few weeks, I've gone from majorly depressed and suicidal to (mostly) stabilized and back to my current baseline of mildly to moderately depressed. Thanks to medication, I am sleeping better and my mood swings are much less drastic.
I'm even starting to feel the full spectrum of human emotion again. Last week, I even got bored for the first time in months, which is a great sign.
If this is enough of an update for you, thank you for reading. But you can access the longer version of this article on my website.
Trial Lawyer, MSW, Army Vet, Survivor Attempted Suicide, Mental Health Advocate, In A Crisis: Call 988, Want a private chat with someone who learned the hard way suicide is a bad choice? Call me, 859 229-3436 (No Charge)
11 个月Leanna, thank you for sharing this thoughtful post. I identify with your struggles. The frankness with which you reveal such intimate matters, not normally publicly expressed, will help those similarly situated who read your post. My sense is there are many more fellow human beings encumbered by mental health problems than we realize. This is because many of us do our best to hide or mask an illness that, if left to fester and be untreated, may take a life without explanation or understanding by the surviving friends and families. Mental health treatment does work. It may take some time. Some folks may need more help than others. Therapists and medication may need to be changed. I never believed this treatment could help but I have been proven wrong. Again, thank you for this. It is much appreciated. I pray for your continued recovery.