762: Mental Health May and a Personal Update

Two years ago, I shared that I had been newly diagnosed with General Anxiety Disorder and PTSD. I was 0% shocked by the GAD diagnosis and 100% shocked by the PTSD diagnosis. But, as I dug more into some circumstances and my reactions, I was able to more clearly understand how this diagnosis came to be.  

A year ago, I gave an update on my mental health. It felt right to let you all know how things were going. I think the more we talk about mental health and normalize the ups and downs all of us experience, the less stigma there will be around mental health struggles and the more people will feel safe and comfortable asking for help.  

A lot has happened in the world and in my life in the last two years. Increasingly, it felt like some of the things that had supported my mental health over the years (decades even) were working less. Also, I found myself feeling less hopeful. I didn’t necessarily feel hopeless, but I definitely felt less hopeful.  

I also became almost certain that I was managing undiagnosed ADHD and I was confused about where my anxiety ended and my possible ADHD began. Or maybe they were one and the same??  

And, I just felt so ridiculously tired. Not I-need-to-take-nap tired. More like my-mind-has-been-on-overdrive-for-47-years-and-it-might-crash-at-any-time tired. I stopped being able to prioritize tasks. I forgot a lot of random things that I would normally never forget. I became worse and worse with time management.  

During this time, I didn’t miss any deadlines. I didn’t let down any clients (that I know of!) I was able to be my usual over-performer self. But I had this overwhelming sense that the way I was existing was no longer sustainable. So, I reached out to a local therapy practice to be evaluated for ADHD.  

In this episode, I share what my assessment was like and how this experience was as odd as my experience of being diagnosed with GAD/PTSD. Are there any “normal” psychiatrists out there?! My experience tells me no… 

That said, I’m on a new path that I’m open to sharing in hopes it will give you permission to always be open to exploring your own mental health.  

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are struggling with your mental health, call your primary care doctor and ask for help. Call your therapist or psychiatrist if you have one. If you are in WA or OR, you can reach out to Mindful Therapy. If you do not have a medical professional you can reach out to, please dial 988 and they will help you find someone.  

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