Summary

The author discusses the personal challenges faced when assessing their mental health, particularly the uncertainty of having a mental health condition like Bipolar Disorder and the struggle with self-validation and seeking help without feeling like a burden.

Abstract

The web content delves into the author's introspective journey with mental health, focusing on the difficulty of discerning whether their experiences are due to a mental health disorder or exaggerated emotions. The author grapples with the fear of misinterpreting their medication regimen as a diagnosis, the validity of their mental health concerns compared to others, and the concern of being an inconvenience to loved ones. Despite these obstacles, they find solace in medication that stabilizes their mood, a supportive counselor who provides professional validation, and an understanding spouse. The author emphasizes the importance of seeking help, such as counseling, to navigate these complex feelings and encourages others to communicate their emotions without the fear of inconveniencing others.

Opinions

The author believes that the effectiveness of their medication for treating extreme mood swings is more important than a formal diagnosis.
They express a concern that their mental health issues might not be taken seriously by others, including healthcare professionals.
The author feels that societal misuse of mental health terms like "Bipolar" or "OCD" undermines the legitimacy of actual disorders.
They acknowledge the difficulty in initiating conversations about mental health due to the fear of being seen as dramatic or burdensome.
The author values the professional validation provided by their counselor, which helps them feel less "crazy."
They advocate for the use of online counseling services as a non-intrusive way to work through mental health issues.
The author suggests that the support system, including healthcare professionals and loved ones, plays a crucial role in managing mental health.

Mental Health Imposter Syndrome

Are You Unstable, or Just Dramatic?

One of the hardest parts of navigating my mental health is determining whether there is actually something wrong with my brain chemistry, or if I am making it all up. Here are 3 of the mental obstacles I face while considering my mental health, and how I overcome them. If you can relate, I hope this helps!

Does Medication equal Diagnosis?

I have been prescribed a medication to treat Bipolar Disorder. However, I am scared to ever say the words “I have Bipolar Disorder.” Why? Because maybe I have misunderstood, and the fact that I take the medication does not mean that I have actually been diagnosed.

My doctor has not directly told me that I have been diagnosed. Part of me is scared to ask her because if I am not, I will seem crazy for asking.

Now, let’s think about this a bit, and go back to that first sentence.

I have been prescribed medication to treat Bipolar Disorder.

This is enough. I know that without this medication, I have the lowest of lows and the highest of highs. I also know that with this medication I am able to function from day to day, and even thrive in my personal and professional life.

I don’t need a diagnosis because I don’t need to convince other people what I have or don’t have. All I need is the help to be at my best, and I have that.

Photo by Nataliya Vaitkevich from Pexels

2. Are my Mental Health Concerns Valid?

I have this fear that no one will believe me. Or that maybe my experience is not as bad as the next person's, and therefore my struggle is not valid. Do you ever hear the people who jokingly say that they are Bipolar or OCD to justify their actions? That is who I don’t want to be.

The only times I believe that I could really have this disorder are when I am at my highest high, or my lowest low. Since starting the medication, I don’t see those places as much as I used to, so I settle in the explanation that I am just being dramatic.

I think this is why it took me so long to get the help I needed. I didn’t know how to say to my doctor “I think I might have Bipolar.”

Turns out, that’s exactly how I needed to say it. The first doctor I told simply replied by saying that couldn’t be true, and that I just had anxiety. So I dropped it for a few years.

I brought it up again to a different doctor. Her response was completely different. She had me fill out a little questionnaire and then we discussed my answer. She told me that she thought it was very likely, and wrote me a prescription. I couldn’t believe how easy it was.

In addition to my medication, I see a counselor every other week. While I know I shouldn’t need validation from other people, the fact that she listens and gives me feedback on the issues I face helps me feel less crazy.

3. Am I an Inconvenience?

One of the biggest obstacles I face when trying to manage my mental health is not wanting to inconvenience or bother anyone. I think this is a common mindset for others that struggle with anxiety and depression also.

Thinking this way just makes it worse, because I just build and build and build this pressure in my head. When my lid pops off, there is no stopping my outpour of emotions.

My husband is so supportive and encourages me to talk to him about what I’m feeling. That is easier said than done, but I am working on being better about it.

My biggest piece of advice for you if you struggle with this also is to seek out counseling. It is so easy to find online. This isn’t a solution that has to last forever, but at least long enough to get you more comfortable with communicating your feelings.

The best part is you can’t inconvenience your counselor- they are literally paid to help you work through your thoughts.

This mental health journey has been quite the roller coaster and I’m still learning. I hope that my experiences may help you on your journey!