Last fall, I was diagnosed with several mental illnesses that shaped my mental health support, therapy, and treatment plans. Psychiatrists diagnosed me with major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, panic disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, an unspecified eating disorder, and bipolar disorder. Through my own experiences, I’ve learned that getting a health diagnosis can be challenging–but [...]
CW: Struggles with mental health and hospitalization. When I was struggling with my mental health, I hid behind the exclusive identity of mental illness. I told almost everyone about my struggles unprompted and avoided making new friends due to my tendency to project my problems onto others. Viewing myself solely as someone who was ill, […]
CW: Detailed discussion of medical treatments, medication, and depression. When I was 12, I started feeling depressed. Because it is a deeply chemical issue, it has never been meaningfully resolved. In short, my psychiatrist was sick of seeing me. After trying 8 medications with no positive effects, I finally found one that helped. It completely […]
Social media enables us to do some beautiful things. However, it also creates a less-than-ideal one-stop shop for FOMO (fear of missing out). The grass is always greener on the other side, right? Only sometimes! Join me as I recount my experience of combatting FOMO head-on and remaining fulfilled in how I decided to spend […]
In today’s climate, it’s important to discuss how families can support their children, particularly when it comes to their mental health needs. Having a child who is experiencing significant challenges is difficult, and it often feels like nothing seems to help, no matter what you try. I can’t even imagine what my family went through […]
Content warning: Mentions of suicide, and suicide ideation. In September 2018, I tried to intentionally end my life for the first time. Something in my brain suddenly snapped and I became acutely suicidal. I felt like I was a plague that only caused harm to others around me. I eventually suffered a mental breakdown, and […]
After juggling life as a highly driven student-athlete for four years in undergrad and then working a full-time job while pursuing a master’s degree, I eventually reached burnout. I thought I could do it all – because I had for so many years. Unfortunately, I did not recognize how I always operated on a low […]
The following blog discusses difficult topics of eating disorders, treatment, and hopeful recovery from the perspective of one individual. Keep in mind that recognizing and seeking treatment for an eating disorder is a journey that looks different for everyone. If you are struggling or in crisis, please call or text “988” or chat online at […]
CW: Mentions of suicide. In the wake of my father’s suicide, when I was just 12 years old, I was engulfed in a storm of grief, guilt, and confusion. During a late-night internet deep dive, I stumbled upon a report by the John Hopkins Children’s Center that found that children of parents who die by […]
CW: Mention of Bipolar Disorder, mentions of depression and mania. When I first asked my mother to see a therapist, I was 14. She looked at me with a bewildered look in her eye and proceeded to tell me “We’re Cuban, we don’t do therapy”. From that moment on, I was convinced that Hispanic people […]