My Biggest Mental Health Challenge
I believe it’s really important that we all feel able to talk openly about our own mental health challenges. So to that end, I thought I would share mine.
My biggest mental health challenge (to date) came when I was caring for my elderly mother about 5 years ago. It was one of the toughest and most challenging periods of my life. She was in chronic pain, had vascular dementia and was suffering from what I later found out to be severe depression.
When I went round to her house in the morning, once the carers had left, she was curled up in a ball in her armchair and would refuse to speak to me. When I left in the evening, every evening, she would burst into tears. I was literally beside myself. I didn’t know what more I could do and it began to impact what had always been a wonderful relationship.
However, my life script was ‘be strong.’ I didn’t want to “burden” my husband or my friends with my problems. I had always believed I could cope with anything. But I was wrong. I couldn’t cope with this without support.
In the end, I had weekly counselling for about 6 months and it was enormously helpful. For the first four sessions, I think I cried for practically the whole 50 minutes. I had so much pent up emotion inside. But that was OK.
In my world, at the time I was paying someone to share the load and my counsellor created a wonderfully safe space for me to unburden myself. I wouldn’t hesitate to go back any time I felt I was struggling emotionally and I would recommend it to anyone having challenges with their own mental health.
— be social london — Content Marketing, Social Media and Marketing for small brands and businesses. Accredited Breakup and Divorce Coach
5 年Thank you for sharing Theresa. Sometimes we can't get the help we need from family and friends, or the level of stress is too great to cope with alone. I strongly believe it's important to seek professional support when we are struggling.?
Training & mentoring specialist I Content Marketing obsessive I Advocate for a healthy work-life balance
5 年What a great example of how worthwhile good emotional and mental support is. I wouldn't hesitate to seek help again either.
My nan also had vascular dementia and we watched her decline for 15 years. It's heartbreaking. Thanks for sharing and I 100% degree about counselling - it's also something I had to help with anxiety and it was invaluable.
Digital Change Development Consultant
5 年Theresa Coligan thanks for sharing. MY Mammy also has had vascular dementia for the last nearly 8 years.It really can hurt your mental health as it has done to mine. Luckily I've a great GP and work for an understanding boss but it is sooo hard
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5 年Thank you for sharing, it's helpful to hear from others who have reached out and realise that they need support. Too many try to be self-contained.