“I Have Suffered From Depression And Anxiety”

I have suffered from depression and anxiety.

I have seen a therapist.

I have never needed medications but I am open to it if it ever comes to that point.

It is controlled thankfully.

I know it does not make me any less of a friend, mother, wife, doctor, daughter, or person.

I am not ashamed.

Coming from a traditional South Asian home, mental health was not discussed. if it was, it was taken lightly. Those suffering were shamed for being ungrateful for what they had been blessed with.

If you know mental health illness, you know that there doesn’t ALWAYS have to be a trigger

My experience allows me to have insight into mental health troubles with my patients. I allow them to cry. I tell them a diagnosis. I tell them it’s OK. I tell them they need help and this does NOT make them weak. And then, I have them repeat all of that back to me. I have them take control.

I hope to make them feel empowered

Most importantly, I had to find my own resources and figure out my own triggers before I received help. We need to not only support our patients but there is a NECESSARY need to support our healthcare workers.

Stop the shame. Stop the stigma

To know more about this initiative: Stop Stigmatizing Mental Health: Our Stories, by Women in Medicine