What would you like healthcare professionals to understand better?

[OTmentalhealth]

Hello everyone! I am a 27 year old woman who has been diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and PTSD. I am currently seeking a degree in health care and had to relocate to a different state than where all of my family and friends currently reside. I was thinking about my last meeting with my doctor to get a refill of my medications and it got me thinking about how misunderstood mental health really is. I have desires and aspirations and I work hard for them, but that does not instantly mean that I am okay all of the time. What is one thing you would like healthcare professionals to better understand about mental health??

[Metal13]

I wish they would understand that if they don’t suffer from mental health issues then it’s going to be hard for anyone to trust that they truly know what their patients are going through. And there isn’t a universal treatment. Everyone is different and every situation is different.

[OTmentalhealth in reply to Metal13]

thank you for this insight! I 100% agree with you, WE ARE NOT UNIVERSAL, therefore, our mental health struggles are not universal. It’s really annoying when someone who has never struggled mentally tries to tell you they understand.

[Metal13 in reply to OTmentalhealth]

That’s why like this place so much. It feels like everyone here understands. I don’t think anyone can truly understand what each individual is going thru because that would be impossible but it feels like everyone here in some form or another can relate to how anyone feels. And it doesn’t seem like you can ever get that from a doctor.

[OTmentalhealth in reply to Metal13]

I really appreciate you responding and giving me this information. I hope that as a future health care practitioner and someone who struggles with mental health that I will be able to take my own experiences and learn from everyone else in the world to fully understand that everyone is unique and their experiences are unique.

[ziggypiggy in reply to OTmentalhealth]

What might be even worse is having a professional that once struggled but is now fairly healthy. Often think patients just aren't applying themselves correctly if their conditions are chronic.

[Dolphin14]

OTmentalhealth

Do you feel that your Dr doesn't understand that depression and anxiety can come and go?

🐬

[OTmentalhealth in reply to Dolphin14]

Sometimes! It’s like they think it’s ALL or nothing. And because I’m doing well in pursuing a graduate degree they assume all is well all the time.

[Dolphin14 in reply to OTmentalhealth]

It's crazy isn't it! I was in group therapy for a time and I remember one of the therapists saying " you don't have that anxiety problem anymore" I was shocked that just because I didn't report anything his assumption was it was gone. Makes no sense at all

[Mrspjsmom]

How hard we work to get through the day.