Navigating Mental Health Challenges
Feeling debilitated by fear, anxiety, panic attacks, depression? How about agoraphobia? Well, you’ve heard of bed rotting, so why not blog rot?
All jokes aside, overcoming the struggles above can be challenging BUT it also can be achieved. I have and still continue to overcome the struggles. If you get anything out of this blog, I want you to know that what you’re feeling is real, raw, and you are capable of flipping the switch to a better future.
With that being said, below we will chat about symptoms I had that may be similar to yours, how I have overcome some of them, and the work I am continuing to do to overcome the rest.
Seriously Symptomatic
Okay, I did ask if you dealt with anxiety, panic, depression and agoraphobia. I just want to offer you, as the reader, insight to what each of these feel like if you haven’t experienced these symptoms.
Anxiety often manifests as persistent worry, fear, or apprehension about everyday situations. Physically, it can lead to symptoms like rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling, and muscle tension. It may feel like a sense of impending doom or an inability to relax, even when there's no immediate threat.
Panic attacks are intense episodes of fear or discomfort that often peak within minutes. During a panic attack, individuals may experience shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, sweating, trembling, and feelings of detachment from reality. Panic attacks can be terrifying and may lead individuals to fear having more panic attacks in the future.
Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities that were once enjoyable. It can also manifest as changes in appetite or weight, sleep disturbances, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Depression often feels like a heavy weight that's difficult to shake off, impacting every aspect of daily life.
Agoraphobia is an anxiety disorder characterized by a fear of being in situations or places where escape might be difficult or embarrassing, or where help may not be available in the event of a panic attack. It may feel like an overwhelming sense of anxiety or panic in situations such as crowded places, public transportation, or open spaces. Individuals with agoraphobia may avoid these situations altogether, which can significantly impact their daily lives and activities.
Having all of these symptoms was overwhelming and at times I felt like I couldn’t get enough air in my lungs. I laid in my bed many days, bed rotting away. If you’re feeling these symptoms, it can get better. It’s not an overnight fix, but I am going to share with you some things I have done and continue to do to overcome these battles.
It’s Not an Overnight Fix
Some of the things I’ve done are unconventional. There is 100% a time and a place for medication. If you are taking medication, or considering it, always seek medical advice from a trusted source.
I want to start out by saying that I did not go the medicinal route. I have been working with a Holistic Health Coach for well over a year on other health related things. She has a medical background and has worked wonders in my life. She practices NRT [Nutrition Response Testing]. When I began getting debilitating panic attacks that threw me into a depressive state, she was the first person I turned to. With the help of a strict supplement regimen, things started to feel slowly lighter. I wasn’t bed rotting as much, I could shower, brush my teeth, make a meal without feeling like it was the end of the world.
We slowly incorporated other things such as CBT Therapy. CBT Therapy is all about the way the brain behaves and how to retrain it. I think this is a great place to start if you’re looking for therapeutic options. I stayed with CBT for about 3 months. I knew everything I needed to do, but I wasn’t doing them. I didn’t feel like it was working for me after the 3 month period.
So, I found Somatic Therapy. WOW. I can’t wait to share my intimate notes on it one day. Just know that when you find the right therapy for you that will aid in healing, you will know. After just 1 session I felt lighter, happier, and less anxious. I can’t wait to see the journey here and like I said, I will share my notes on it one day. I’m just not ready yet.
Then, I reintroduced exercise. Exercise by far has jumped my body and brain back up. I'm doing things lightly. 30 minute fast-paced walks, and working towards running a 5K now. If you would have told me I’d have healed this much since last month, I would have laughed, and gone right back to bed rotting.
Today I still am struggling with some of the agoraphobia and I will continue to work through it with my Somatic Therapist and Holistic Health Coach.
Things I Do Daily
Daily things add up and make a big impact.
Currently, I am using my Sundaze Daily Planner to schedule my day and keep focus. This helps me brain dump what my day will look like without feeling a sense of alarm at all hours of the day.
I am also using the Shadow Work With Gratitude Journal daily. This journal works wonders, and is made by yours truly! Shadow work can be deep, dark, and emotional at times. I added the gratitude factor to it. Each day you complete a Shadow prompt and then a Gratitude Prompt. This helps the brain dive deep and feel the raw emotions, but then you get to see the lightness that has come from the darkness. It helps flip the switch in our brains. I can’t recommend it enough.
I am taking daily walks and soon my best friend and I are going to train for a 5K. Hint: Grab a friend to hold yourself accountable!
Drinking about a gallon of water a day and focusing on more whole foods, less processed foods is and always will be a priority.
The supplement regimen continues with my holistic health coach and I meet with her every 3-6 weeks typically.
MEDITATION MEDITATION MEDITATION just about every day!! I swear by this. I love to play one for bed time - it puts me right to sleep. I also will play one if I am feeling nervous, worried, or restless throughout the day. I use the OPEN Meditation App and I LOVE it.
2024
Sharing intimate parts of my journey can be hard at times but I hope it helps one of you feel less alone in this world. It’s really incredible how resilient, strong, and capable we are as humans.
In 2024, I envision overcoming more challenges, leaning on those who are my support system, and pouring into my community.
Don’t forget to give yourself some credit, and if you need a listening ear I am always here.
X
Abby
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