Sometimes it can be so frustrating to find the right team. It does take a team of people though. At a minimum, you need someone to prescribe medications and a talk therapist. You may need more beyond that. You may strike out a time or two. I cannot tell you how many therapists I have talked with over the years. My current core team, I have been with since my break-down in 2023.

I can tell you that I used to have a pattern with my therapists. I would word vomit and then I would severely pull back and completely stop going. I almost did this again, but I was in too bad of shape to let it happen again. The other difference is that I was given some grace. I just felt too bad to go a time or two and that was OK. I was able to “skip” a couple of times, but still come back. I was also able to go and not talk about anything deep if I felt good. Why open up old scabs if I am in a good place?

Medications gets a lot more difficult. Most depression meds take weeks to really start to work and then you have to taper off before you try a new one. Then you really may need a combination. Something can work for a long time and then all of a sudden stop working. This is where you need a lot of patience and someone who will listen to you. You need a Psychiatrist or Psychiatry NP or PA (If you use a PA, make sure they only work with psychiatry medications). Someone who knows these medications. There are so many nuances and you may not need them forever.

The other thing to know about medication, and this is very important: They are not the fix!!! They only turn down the volume so that you can do the work. If you learn nothing here, learn that you still have to do the work. Even if you experienced an unthinkable trauma, you have to go back. That is what your team is there for, you are not alone and they make it safe for you.

I am here to tell you that life is better on the other side. I ignored my anxiety, depression, PTSD for so many years. I had no idea that I was ‘Mehing’ my way through life. Now that I am living my life, I would never go back. I experience happiness now. I have joy. Do not let the trauma keep you from that. There are people out here who love you and want the best for you. You also need to want it for yourself. We are waiting for the best version of you! Let’s GO!