1). Contact your mental health provider.
As a provider, I understand that I may not be someone’s cup of tea or shot of espresso, and that is okayyyyy. Trusting the expertise of your mental health professional and building rapport are two very important things.
Contacting a board-certified provider allows you to discuss the severity of your symptoms and begin the process of seeking treatment. For some, treatment includes therapy as a starting point. For others, the anxiety is so severe that both therapy and medication are needed. There are several types of providers (psychiatrists, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Licensed Professional Counselors), so please do your research and find one that fits your needs. You may prefer a provider of a certain gender, race, background, and/or faith, and that’s okay as well. However, if your symptoms are severe, it would be best to seek help immediately without further delay.
Below are some resources to help with finding a provider:
http://zocdoc.com , https://www.psychologytoday.com/us , headway.co, https://helloalma.com, are just a few places to visit if you do not currently have a provider. If your symptoms have caused distress and you cannot wait to find a provider, please go to your nearest ER or contact the crisis center by texting or calling 988.
2). Start Therapy
Therapy is a great resource to help with processing some of the issues and symptoms you are experiencing. It also helps by providing coping and life skills to combat and work through your anxiety. I highly recommended therapy to about 80% of my patients, but honestly, some say that therapy is not for them and if they are stable, I trust that they know themselves. So, no pressure.
Starting talk therapy is oftentimes an adjustment as you get to know your therapist and vice versa, but as time goes on and you continue to meet, you begin to build a solid rapport. I recommend looking at the biography of your therapist and/or requesting a free 15-minute consultation prior to scheduling an appointment.
3) Start a Medication
Now look, there is no pressure from me to start a medication, as everyone is not a candidate for medication. But IYKYK (if you know, you know. Lol), some of us may need to start a mental health medication to help us get through the rough season we are experiencing, and that is totally fine. Medications, in general, can be a great resource to help prevent life-threatening symptoms, including symptoms related to your “gentle mental”. It is okay, you can have therapy, Jesus, and medication lol. It takes a village.
I ask this question, would you be hesitant to take an antibiotic or pain meds if you had an infected, aching tooth?
The same is true for some as it relates to mental health medications. Some clients are on medication for months, some are on it for years, some are on it for life, some are on only one, some are on several, and either situation is totally fine. Some medications come with great benefits, and most come with side effects. Some patients may not experience either benefits or side effects because there is no one shoe-fit-all in the world of medicine. The question is, does the risk outweigh the benefit? A lot of older medications have been studied and tested over decades, so review the research and be sure to ask your provider pertinent questions. Do not be afraid to ask questions, you have a right to know. Be sure to also report any side effects.
A famous Quote by CS Lewis:
“Mental pain is less dramatic than physical pain, but it is more common and also more hard to bear. The frequent attempt to conceal mental pain increases the burden: it is easier to say, ‘My tooth is aching’ than to say, ‘My heart is broken.’ ― C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
Please contact your healthcare provider for a thorough assessment, including lab work, diagnoses, and treatment. Discuss any other medical conditions you may have, your vitamin levels, hormonal imbalances, and/or nutrient deficiencies, with your provider.
