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For as long as I can possibly remember growing up, during my childhood, talking about mental health issues was never easy, or at least it didn’t feel like it was OK to discuss it at all. It was about the perception, many of times based on what was verbally conveyed or talked about around me, but also what was implied nonverbally too, the often, cold distanced look or raised eyebrows I got even if I tried to share my pain and frustration. You can always tell the thick haze of shame was approaching and clouding the skies around you, a forecast of a false perception of mental health or addiction issues as those of a chosen moral failing, something you can “outgrow” if you tried “really hard,” something disclosed that bears the stamp of shame “why my kid?” humiliation and regret, never to be discussed “in public.” This was the power of an overwhelming stigma that surfaced not only for myself in my early years, but also for those who struggled around me.
During my childhood and early adulthood years, I struggled with debilitating anxiety and inattention along with significant bouts of distractibility. I could never understand then after studying for days, months, or even years at a skill or subject matter, knowing the testing materials by heart, why I never excelled at standardized tests sections in the SAT and MCAT exams, struggling to sit still and finish the examination sections. One time failing my physics class in college, taking a Withdrawal (W) in my freshman English expository writing class. I was baffled by the randomness of it all. Some semesters I got honors, others I struggled. It was not until I sought professional help with support and assistance with these issues, having them properly diagnosed and effectively treated did I start to see things change in my professional and personal life. Since that time in college, after seeking the professional help I needed, my academic and professional career excelled. I’m eternally grateful and humbled for the opportunity of self-discovery, no matter how uncomfortable it was, no matter how vulnerable it made me feel, because I learned asking for help was actually OK and in doing so, people came, and my life changed. And I never looked back with any regret. The only direction I knew to look was forward. And the rest was history.
As I reflect on my own journey, I always think about how I can better help shape the lives of those around me. To be a better human first, among the physician’s duty, and see my part in making the world a better place. Since starting this practice in 2011, bringing to the forefront evidence-based therapeutic solutions to help others achieve recovery from mental health and addiction struggles is my way of making the world a better place. Sending a strong and firm message that asking for help is always ok.
The people who gravitate towards this practice are those considering making a change, they are “tired of being tired.” They are really good at what they do, full of talent and promise, from creative minds to business owners, bloggers, artists, teachers, executives, moms and dads, students, from whatever trade and walk of life, and somehow, somewhere, along their journey, mental health & addiction issues stunted their growth, derailed them from a once familiar, safe and comfortable norm, robbed them of their potential, hijacked their hopes, paralyzed them in fear and frustration, isolated them more and more and more, it kept going, and finally disrupted their lives and those that love and deeply care for them. Everyone eventually realized things weren’t just ok.
If after reading this, you can identify with it or parts of it, and you seek solutions, answers, clarity and serenity in knowing, and want things to hopefully change, and getting an objective, evidence-based, informed evaluation from a thoughtful psychiatric professional is important to you, where you are not marginalized, not stigmatized, not judged, or viewed as “the problem,” but more so you are inspired, hopeful and ever so included as being a part of the solution, if this is you, and only you know if this is you, then I would like to hear from you.
Don’t let the phone weigh heavy and let opportunities pass you by. Change your life, just like I did, and just like many already have. It’s never too late to change. I can say this with a sense of humility and gratitude today because I’m living proof the process works, things can and do get better if you’re willing to do the work and follow through no matter how many times you feel defeated or knocked down by the stigma, shame, bullying or self-doubt. Don’t let anyone tell you or make you feel otherwise. Asking for help doesn’t have to ever feel uncomfortable.
So, if you’re moving forward, let your hardships, past failures perceived, and rough roads traveled all work for you, let them build your character, confirm your resilience, and reaffirm your hope once again in the process of finding the right professionals who can help you. If you are ready to take that next step, give us a call, see if it’s a good fit, and consider starting your journey with our practice today.
Our practice is focused on providing individualized treatment for a variety of addiction and psychiatric conditions in a private setting.
