When I First Knew I Needed Help

In this eighth episode of the Living Well with Mental Illness podcast, Lauren and Rob share about when they first knew they needed help with their mental health. They discuss what symptoms made them decide to reach out for additional support, and provide some signs to be aware of when determining if you need additional support as well.
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[@takingcareofcathy]

I was lucky in that I had early intervention when the school nurse at my high school noticed that I was down in her office an awful lot with vague symptoms of "not feeling well." She noticed my significant weight loss and lack of extracurricular participation, knew that my grades were dropping, etc. So after some questions, she referred me to the school psychologist. That was back in 1994-1995. It then inspired me to pursue psychology in college. Then... the psychosis started. I was in denial at first, brushing the audio hallucinations as "stress" of working two jobs and being a double major in college... But I decided to revisit the idea of therapy. Within a year or so, my diagnosis evolved from depression to bipolar 1 to bipolar 1 w/ psychotic features finally settling on bipolar type schizoaffective. Now I'm 44, and while things are FAR from perfect in my life, it's definitely a lot better than it would be without the therapy and medications.

[@PostTraumaticVictory]

Another great episode! Loved the part about not waiting until you're winning the "Suffer Olympics" to get help haha 😅

[@bl3524]

She’s so smart and articulate ❤

[@lizhyink5636]

This caring and thoughtful conversation between people who deeply respected each other's perspectives and the variety of experiences people might have was heartwarming. Thank you both.

[@janiegetyourgun]

I knew I needed help when I had my first psychotic break which wasn’t until my 30s. Looking back, there were many times before this I could have used help but I just didn’t know I had a mental health condition. I thought I was just lazy, or socially awkward, mostly because of the way my parents talked to/about me. My dad would call me lazy when I my anxiety was so bad I couldn’t leave my room.

[@MoriahDreams123]

Whew. My road to treatment was a rough one. I assume it is, for most people. I knew I was struggling when I was 14. It was 2 years later that I got help. Friends, family, and health care professionals all said I was faking. That I was acting out for attention. That I was trying to get out of going to school. I believed them. As soon as I turned 18, my insurance and benefits got pulled, and I said, 'You know what? I'm done with this. It was all a phase like they said, and I'm going to be Better now.' I went back to school, got my GED, started college, got a job. And then crashed and burned. I spent several years in and out of school, never getting passed square 1. Drifting, aimless, and struggling to stay afloat. Then, one day, I woke up, and there was a voice in my head on loop. "You've got to go back to the clinic. You've got to call them. Call them. Call them. Call them." Like it was the only thing that mattered. Like my life depended on it. Like it was my whole mission for the day. So, I did. I RAN to help. 2 hospitalizations, 1 misdiagnosis, and dozens of pills with sucky side effects later, and I think I'm finally on the right path. It's not perfect. We're still working out the kinks of meds. I'm working hard in therapy. But it feels right. I'm really grateful.

[@lisaanne1719]

I was 13yrs old when I started having problems with debilitating depression. I wouldn’t eat, sleep, talk or shower(unless forced). I wouldn’t do my school work or interact with others. Doctors said it was normal teen behavior. At 15 I had to be hospitalized for acting out. That’s when I was diagnosed as Bipolar. In the early 90s that was a word we had never heard. Lithium did work for a while but since then I’ve been on many meds, had many episodes and been hospitalized at least 10 times. My manic episodes became very violent for myself and others. I no longer just had mania…I had hallucinations and started hearing voices. I then was diagnosed with Bipolar, Phychosis, Schizoaffective Disorder and cluster four personality disorder. Thankfully I’ve always had a supportive family and husband. I’m sure it’s been hard on them as well. It’s been a life long struggle. I live a healthy lifestyle and take my meds but sometimes that still isn’t enough. Mental illness has been the toughest battle I’ve ever fought , I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I could tell a many of horror stories and experiences but, I’ll just stop here. I hope everyone gets the help and support that they need and deserve.

[@crumbtember]

Omg y'all. The internal medication debate is so real. I haven't been on it, but have been ruining my life with depression and anxiety for 8 years. I'm turning 27 soon, think I might bit the bullet soon. I justify not doing it by being skeptical at the effectiveness of medication, as well as the hypothetical achievement of pulling myself together on my own😥lol

[@nickynisbet6247]

Another excellent video. I can relate to so much of your stories. Thanks for your honesty and openess it does really help 🙏🦋 xx

[@annedorewilmes7666]

The very first contact of an individual with a healthcare provider on these matters is so crucial. I hope (other) professionals will watch and understand this and realise how important it is that in addition to providing appropriate medical care they need to empathically check in with the patient and make sure the patient actually feels cared for, knows their take on things matter, that they have a say and that they can always come back to seek more or a different type of help. As you say, public information on mental health, how to seek help and what a good standard of care looks like is growing, thankfully, but I do want to second the emphasis on that first contact for health care providers. If a patient has a history of at least one positive and helpful interaction when seeking help, this experience can help sustain them whenever they might experience a mismatch later on.

[@Josh-dp1uw]

This was great! I didn't know Rob had depression type issues. I was in the same boat thinking medication would help me briefly and then I could go off of it.

[@roses.trees.ocean.sky.90]

🌟💐🌟💐🌟💐🌟💐🌟 Thanks Lauren and Rob for your openess and vulnerability in sharing your experiences. This series of podcasts is wonderful and will help so many. Much Gratitude to you both for helping in breaking down stigmas, informing and encouraging in such an authentic, compassionate way.🥰

[@FromTheHealingWellSomatics]

Compassion to Robb and thanks as well for your willingness to open up and talk about this challenging topic.

[@jahangirshaikh8674]

Y guys are awesome

[@honeyjanepintac9122]

You are not crazy.

[@kimwells7245]

I love the videos that you two do together. I would LOVE another cooking video! I loved when you made that salad like a couple years ago. Maybe make a video where you're cooking together.

[@crumbtember]

Hehe I remember the cooking video and agree! More fun artsy creative stuff. Though obviously the quality and appreciation I have for all their work shouldn't be understated ❤️

[@susanne4028]

Thank you so much for this very interesting conversation. And also thank you for all your great work. 💛🧡💛🧡

[@alexgebhardt5925]

Thanks guys! I definitely sought help too late :( Just like Lauren said, it was that 19-22 time period where things became horrifically bad.

[@baileyhallfilms]

I didn't ask for help sooner in the past year, having had a severe decline and eventually i did connect with health professionals and outreach counsellors. because i had the same experience in the past of a lack of adequate help when asking. it can sometimes shape your response in the present but its important to be aware that the past is the past.

[@debraj5540]

This is good. One part I take issue with is the your feelings are out of proportion or overboard compared to the situation. It's a bit like minimizing because when you are depressed to that degree those feelings are omnipresent and real. The pandemic was and is a life altering event that none of us have ever experienced. We should be very concerned about it. We still should be as it's not over. We are just pretending it is and that gaslighting is very distressing to realists. Enjoy your channel.

[@dlitvin23]

Videos like this are hard to watch because so much of how you experience what you went through and how you felt is remarkably similar to what I went through. I was in and out of therapy in college because I would only go when I was feeling down, cancel when I was feeling good, and then frantically try and reschedule when I crashed. But then I wouldn't be able to verbalize why I felt so bad so they couldn't help me, which made me mad at the therapist. My ex boyfriends also were terrible influences because they let me binge drink, mix pills, stop pills. Neverending cycle..

[@honeyjanepintac9122]

I love you.

[@juliafees4675]

I’ve noticed when Rob speaks you blink constantly, but you blink at a normal speed when you talk.

[@davebowman9790]

I have never gotten help yet. Just don't care I guess. Didn't figure it out till 4 months ago. I thought I was just bipolar. My practitioner sucks. Now I am angrier and just out if touch and at the same time employed by a very important person. Such stress .Now I have to sign some disclosure contract by tomorrow morning.Medications ruined my overall health made me very unmodivated.I am on the fence. I think the 2 imaginary posts that I could never find on other episodes for this channel are some if the most elaborate and detailed delusions I have ever experienced. I looked very carefully as well. Can that seem to have happened? One of you must have more experience with these things. I am new at this. I though I was just autistic for the last 9 years. Now it seems to be SAD. 51 and still figuring it out.😮

[@lrowe272]

I am scared to tell my doctor or therapist because I dont want to be placed in a mental hospital

[@Catlily5]

If you live in the USA you won't be put into a mental hospital unless you are a danger to yourself others. Even if you are they rarely keep people longer than 3 weeks anymore. It is better to get help sooner than later. You will be less likely to be hospitalized.

[@recoveringlibertarian5982]

I don't think . It worth the wirk . I rather be gone

[@honeyjanepintac9122]

Thiers a lot of monster going wherever you are.

[@honeyjanepintac9122]

Bcoz your pretty face.

[@LarryKnight-un1qx]

O