Seeing this post is so well timed. Just today I was waying this out in my mind. I'm the person who wouldn't take anything for a headache and went years without any kind of meds. Now im learning that self care can be giving yourself some grace and help where you need it.
I love and appreciate your openness and willingness to discuss your mental health with such nuance and empathy (it has been a journey, hasn’t it?). It really resonated with me when you first shared the story of your OCD diagnosis at the tender age of four. The fact that your parents were at a place to help you and on the same page about how to do it is nothing short of incredible (props to Ken and Ruth Raskin). Their unshakable faith in you seems to have given you the confidence to shine ever so brightly as a writer, mental health advocate and hilarious human being.
I have been on a combination of drugs for depression, anxiety and insomnia since I had my first major depressive episode at age 16 (I will be 36 in August). Even though I have been going to therapy for nearly half of my life and medicated for the last twenty years, it was only last year that I was finally able to tackle issues such as commitment to some form of exercise everyday, waking up at a reasonable time, practicing self-compassion and leaning in to the joy of meaningful connections.
You have helped me a lot over the last ten years and for that I am truly thankful. 🌹
Thank you so much for these incredibly kind words! I am also so excited to hear about your incredible progress. It's wild the difference it makes when all the things you've been doing to care for yourself come together and bounce off each other. Sending so much love, A
Wow, the length of your experience with medications gives you such a unique perspective. I really appreciate how nuanced your thoughts are, including the reminders that all options are going to work (or not) differently for each individual.
I've tried so many different antidepressants and none have ever had any effect on me. I take other medications, but I also did transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS or TCMS) recently. I'd never met anyone else who had done it, and it was a big leap of faith for me to try, and I've had great results. Allison, did you learn about TMS in your schooling? I'm curious if you've ever considered it.
A friend of mine has also had great experiences with TCMS! In fact, it is the only thing that has really worked for her! She is so grateful to have found it! 💕💕💕
It’s so reassuring and refreshing reading about another “normal, mentally ill person’s” life experience. With a dx but also years of experience managing & surviving and thriving… it’s a pretty rare combo out in the social media world. On a super selfish note, I’m looking forward to hearing about the pregnancy journey & management (if that is something you will want to share!)
I used to work in Psychiatric clinical research and my former PI was always interested in integrating primary care and psychiatry, especially because most psychotropic drugs *do* have these side effects. The majority of our patients had schizophrenic disorders, and were on antipsychotics, and these tend to have the *most* side effects, and that's why it's also important for primary care doctors to work in conj. with psychiatric providers. That being said: I also plan to be medicated for the rest of my life, especially with my hormones. I appreciate this post though, especially because I do use SSRIs in conjunction with therapy. And like you wrote previously (and like I did too,) you don't *always* need therapy. :') I dumped my old therapist after seven years with her, and now am with a provider who fits my needs more.
I think that integration is so so crucial! I wish it was more prominent. Also glad to hear you did what was best for you therapy-wise! I know how scare that can be after a long relationship xoxo A
Thank you so much for sharing this perspective! It is how I feel about medication too! I was fascinated to read that OCD can be sparked by an infection! That makes a lot of sense! Bestest wishes with your health journey! I can relate! 😊👏💕🙏
Another brilliant and life-affirming new article. Thanks Allison! Can't wait to get a new job so I can give myself little treats like a full subscription
Wow, that Power Trip podcast is a powerful trip! I have been a big fan of psychedelics in the past and it's great to see some nuance being brought to the conversation
hahah agreed! Although I have heard that if you are currently on an SSRI the mushroom probably won't have the same impact unfortunately. That's pretty much the only reason I haven't tried them yet!
Seeing this post is so well timed. Just today I was waying this out in my mind. I'm the person who wouldn't take anything for a headache and went years without any kind of meds. Now im learning that self care can be giving yourself some grace and help where you need it.
I love this framing! Thank you for sharing!
Dear Allison,
I love and appreciate your openness and willingness to discuss your mental health with such nuance and empathy (it has been a journey, hasn’t it?). It really resonated with me when you first shared the story of your OCD diagnosis at the tender age of four. The fact that your parents were at a place to help you and on the same page about how to do it is nothing short of incredible (props to Ken and Ruth Raskin). Their unshakable faith in you seems to have given you the confidence to shine ever so brightly as a writer, mental health advocate and hilarious human being.
I have been on a combination of drugs for depression, anxiety and insomnia since I had my first major depressive episode at age 16 (I will be 36 in August). Even though I have been going to therapy for nearly half of my life and medicated for the last twenty years, it was only last year that I was finally able to tackle issues such as commitment to some form of exercise everyday, waking up at a reasonable time, practicing self-compassion and leaning in to the joy of meaningful connections.
You have helped me a lot over the last ten years and for that I am truly thankful. 🌹
Kind regards,
Mariana
Thank you so much for these incredibly kind words! I am also so excited to hear about your incredible progress. It's wild the difference it makes when all the things you've been doing to care for yourself come together and bounce off each other. Sending so much love, A
dear allison,
thank you for sharing so openly!
this statement leapt out at me as super relevant and meaningful:
"for now, it is helpful for me to lean into acceptance about my enduring relationship with medication."
i'm glad you have something that works, physically (the medicine) and mentally (your attitude about it) and probably other ways also (other ways)
thank you for sharing!
much love
myq
Thank you Myq!!
Wow, the length of your experience with medications gives you such a unique perspective. I really appreciate how nuanced your thoughts are, including the reminders that all options are going to work (or not) differently for each individual.
I'm so glad it was helpful! It's definitely been a journey haha
I've tried so many different antidepressants and none have ever had any effect on me. I take other medications, but I also did transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS or TCMS) recently. I'd never met anyone else who had done it, and it was a big leap of faith for me to try, and I've had great results. Allison, did you learn about TMS in your schooling? I'm curious if you've ever considered it.
I actually don't know much about it at all! Sounds like it's worth looking into though for sure! So happy to hear it actually worked for you!!
A friend of mine has also had great experiences with TCMS! In fact, it is the only thing that has really worked for her! She is so grateful to have found it! 💕💕💕
That's amazing!
It’s so reassuring and refreshing reading about another “normal, mentally ill person’s” life experience. With a dx but also years of experience managing & surviving and thriving… it’s a pretty rare combo out in the social media world. On a super selfish note, I’m looking forward to hearing about the pregnancy journey & management (if that is something you will want to share!)
The years of experience managing it all have definitely been helpful! And if/when that time comes, you know I will be sharing it all haha xoxo A
Hey Allison,
I used to work in Psychiatric clinical research and my former PI was always interested in integrating primary care and psychiatry, especially because most psychotropic drugs *do* have these side effects. The majority of our patients had schizophrenic disorders, and were on antipsychotics, and these tend to have the *most* side effects, and that's why it's also important for primary care doctors to work in conj. with psychiatric providers. That being said: I also plan to be medicated for the rest of my life, especially with my hormones. I appreciate this post though, especially because I do use SSRIs in conjunction with therapy. And like you wrote previously (and like I did too,) you don't *always* need therapy. :') I dumped my old therapist after seven years with her, and now am with a provider who fits my needs more.
I think that integration is so so crucial! I wish it was more prominent. Also glad to hear you did what was best for you therapy-wise! I know how scare that can be after a long relationship xoxo A
Thanks so much for sharing your experience so openly. Tailoring for the individual is so important- your story demonstrates this so well.
I'm so glad you enjoyed the read!!
Thank you so much for sharing this perspective! It is how I feel about medication too! I was fascinated to read that OCD can be sparked by an infection! That makes a lot of sense! Bestest wishes with your health journey! I can relate! 😊👏💕🙏
Thank you! Sending you so much love right back!
Thank you so much! Lots of love to you too! I really enjoy and appreciate your posts! 😍❤️💝👏☘️
Another brilliant and life-affirming new article. Thanks Allison! Can't wait to get a new job so I can give myself little treats like a full subscription
Thank you so much!!
Wow, that Power Trip podcast is a powerful trip! I have been a big fan of psychedelics in the past and it's great to see some nuance being brought to the conversation
It was super eye opening!
I'm also medicated. But for the rest of my life? I don't know. Maybe yes, maybe no.
hahah agreed! Although I have heard that if you are currently on an SSRI the mushroom probably won't have the same impact unfortunately. That's pretty much the only reason I haven't tried them yet!