NEWS PHOTO GILLIAN SLADE Erin Stickney understands what its like to live with mental health challenges having been diagnosed with depression in 2010, ADHD in 2018 and social anxiety disorder last fall.
She says getting a diagnosis can be empowering. It can explain symptoms, reveal coping tools and medication to assist with symptoms.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade
One in every four Canadians is experiencing mental health challenges, according to a government document.
It can be hard to discuss, but silence can increase stigma and local resident Erin Stickney wants us to have a better understanding of the symptoms, including triggers such as stressful situations and crowds of people.
Venturing out to shopping centres at Christmas time is something she knows not to expose herself to.
“When I’m at my worst I envision a shroud stuck to me, a shadow that hangs over me, a weight on my head,” said Stickney, who was diagnosed with depression a decade ago, ADHD in 2018 and social anxiety disorder last fall.
“Sometimes the overwhelming relief you feel from finally being able to name what you’re feeling is common and normal and valid. (It) is world changing.”
Panic attacks can be different for each person, but Stickney says to her it feels like when you jump into a really cold swimming pool that almost takes you breath away. There may be a sense of pressure, difficulty breathing, hyperventilating, followed by crying. For others, it can include heart palpitations.
Stickney says depression is not just a feeling of sadness, but can be combined with anxiety too.
“I haven’t gone a day without an antidepressant in a decade,” said Stickney.
As a society, we are getting better at using words such as “mental health” without evoking thoughts of “weakness” but there is still so much room to grow, said Stickney.
Reaching out for help can be difficult too, because it’s sometimes really hard to even articulate how you are feeling and what help you need.
Getting a diagnosis is really important though. Stickney says it has helped her recognize some of her triggers, make some connections and develop coping tools.
One of her favourite quotes is by Marcus Parks: “Your mental illness is not your fault, but it is your responsibility.”
With a diagnosis it is also easier to do some research and join support groups, even online, which can be very helpful, she says.
Medications can make a big difference but they can lose their effectiveness, or the dosage may need to be changed. Stickney says she can be doing well and then a fairly minor event may be the trigger that brings tears and they stay all day.
That might be the signal that her medication needs to be adjusted.
She says not to give up on finding a medication that works for you and other therapies that can make a big difference in how you manage.
For Stickney, her symptoms have limited what she would have liked to do in life. She keeps working and says experience has taught her to hide some of her circumstances, but with others she can be more open.
It is so important for employers to have a understanding of supports that can help, she said.
Stickney says you can still be a fully contributing member of society, but may need some support at times. Suggestions, such as doing a few minutes of meditation or going for a walk, may not be very helpful.
She says temporary changes may be what is needed. This could be a temporary change in tasks or working a different shift so that there are less people around.
Stickney suggests if you have not connected well with your family doctor about your symptoms, ask for a second opinion or change doctors, but definitely seek help.
