🧠💜The Hidden Impacts of Mental Illness💜🧠

Our minds and bodies are intrinsically connected - yet we often overlook the significant toll that mental health issues take on our wellbeing. Mental illnesses may not always manifest with outwardly visible symptoms, but their effects run deep.

I've dealt with many physical ailments from severely ruptured ankle ligaments, torn hamstrings, calf tears to broken ribs from sports injuries and accidents over the years. While these resulted in severe pain and limitation at the time, the physical recovery process was relatively straightforward with rest, painkillers and rehab. The mental anguish I've experienced from anxiety and depression and more recently complete burnout has been far worse in many ways. 

For as long as I can remember, I have been on the brink of burning out but felt I had to keep going to keep up with the expectations that the world has set on us and the idea of taking stock and actually prioritising my mental wellbeing over a career was daunting and something I was in all honestly now willing to consider, so I ignored the signs and ‘powered through it’. When I did eventually burnout in March, I rightly failed to pass my probation as a result of being completely unproductive I was faced with 2 options in April.

1️⃣ Carry on carrying on, as I always have done.

2️⃣ Listen to my body and mind and focus on my well-being. 

After weeks of internal deliberation this time round I opted for option 2. A daunting decision. A decision that in the eyes of many, and my own, that would surely only add more problems to my already fragile mind. A few questions my subconscious nagged me with were: - 

🔴 What if I’m seen as weak and unable to cope with pressure?

🔴 What if I am just weak and unable to cope with the pressures of life and work?

🔴 What if my decision means I won’t be able to pay my rent or put food on the table? 

With the constant recurrence of ‘what if’ questions I knew my decision was the correct one. With the support of loved ones and professionals I was able to change my mind set to a more positive one, one of self-care, and after a while my mind is firmly embedded with this message… 

Taking time to rest and reset will lead to a healthier, happier relationship with work and life in the long run. This investment in my mental health will ultimately benefit everyone.

Today, 4 months on, I can’t tell you everything is perfect, and that someone has waved a magical wand and cured me, however, what I can say with conviction is that I am getting there and feel the best I have felt in a very long time. The key changes that have made the biggest difference to this are:- 

🟢 On-going work with mental health professionals including medication

🟢 Working part time for a truly understanding and great company

🟢 Exercising regularly and eating a more nutritious balanced diet

🟢 Exploring what I’m passionate about on my non-workdays 

It is important to note that these key changes that have significantly benefitted me are by no means a foolproof formula to improving everyone’s mental and physical well-being as every one of us are unique and have different support needs.

Mental health issues are shockingly common, yet often go untreated. Depression alone affects over 300 million people globally and is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Beyond the emotional distress of depression and anxiety, these invisible illnesses increase the risk of many preventable physical health problems like heart disease, diabetes and stroke as well as being  more prone to substance abuse, relationship conflicts and unemployment.

The outdated, however, concerningly still present stigmas surrounding mental illness prevents many from seeking help early on, or at all, allowing these issues to persist and manifest over many years.

You wouldn't hesitate to see a doctor for a broken leg or a nagging cough, would you?  

Take that step, listen to that voice you’ve been trying your hardest to ignore and make an appointment with your GP as soon as you can.  

It's vitally important to seek help when experiencing any mental health symptoms. Counselling, medication, healthy lifestyle changes and social support can make a huge difference.

Yes, there will likely be a long waiting list if you take an NHS route and that will be frustrating however being on a list and starting your journey towards a healthier, happier self is a positive step that will be met with no regrets. 

The earlier we seek help the better chance we have at living a health rich life 💜