How Traveling Saved Me from Depression

Being that May is Mental Health Awareness month there's no better time to do this post than now. Mental health issues are such a taboo, especially in the black community, but many people struggle with it.

Facts about mental health issues:

· 1 out of 5 American adults will be diagnosed with a mental health disorder every year.

· 300 million people suffer from depression globally.

· 56% of people diagnosed with a mental health issue doesn’t receive treatment.

· 25% of people living with a mental health issue feel shamed or judged because of it.

· Mental illness comes in many forms.

· There are more than 200 classified forms of mental illness. Some of the more common disorders are depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. Symptoms may include changes in mood, personality, personal habits and/or social withdrawal.

The two I am familiar with are anxiety and depression. Yes, I know. It may come as a surprise to many to know that I've suffered from depression and anxiety. Attractive woman who looks like she has her shit together right? That just goes to show that anyone can be affected by mental health issues.

What is anxiety disorder?

Anxiety disorder is a mental health disorder characterized by feelings of worry, anxiety, or fear that are strong enough to interfere with one's daily activities.

Symptoms

Symptoms of anxiety include stress that's out of proportion to the impact of the event, inability to set aside a worry, and restlessness.

People may experience:

Whole body: fatigue, restlessness, or sweating

Behavioral: hyper vigilance or irritability

Cognitive: racing thoughts or unwanted thoughts

Also common: anxiety, excessive worry, fear, feeling of impending doom, insomnia, nausea, poor concentration, sensation of an abnormal heartbeat, or trembling

Consult a doctor for medical advice.

Treatment

Treatment includes counseling or medications, including antidepressants.

What is depression?

Depression is a brain disorder characterized by persistently depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life.

Symptoms

Requires a medical diagnosis

The persistent feeling of sadness or loss of interest that characterizes major depression can lead to a range of behavioral and physical symptoms. These may include changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behavior, or self-esteem. Depression can also be associated with thoughts of suicide.

People may experience:

Mood: anxiety, apathy, general discontent, guilt, hopelessness, loss of interest, loss of interest or pleasure in activities, mood swings, or sadness

Sleep: early awakening, excess sleepiness, insomnia, or restless sleep

Whole body: excessive hunger, fatigue, loss of appetite, or restlessness

Behavioral: agitation, excessive crying, irritability, or social isolation

Cognitive: lack of concentration, slowness in activity, or thoughts of suicide

Weight: weight gain or weight loss

Also common: poor appetite or repeatedly going over thoughts

Treatment

Treatment consists of antidepressants

The mainstay of treatment is usually medication, talk therapy, or a combination of the two. Increasingly, research suggests these treatments may normalize brain function associated with depression.

Therapies

Cognitive behavioral therapy: A talk therapy focused on modifying negative thoughts, behaviors, and emotional responses associated with psychological distress.

Behavior therapy: A therapy focused on modifying harmful behaviors associated

with psychological distress.

Psychotherapy: Treatment of mental or behavioral disorders through talk therapy.

Medications:

Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI): Eases symptoms of depressed mood and anxiety.

· Sertraline (Zoloft)

· Escitalopram (Lexapro)

· Citalopram (Celexa)

· Fluvoxamine (Luvox)

· Fluoxetine (Prozac and Sarafem)

· Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva, and Brisdelle)

Antidepressant: Prevents or relieves depression and elevates mood.

· Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban, Aplenzin, Buproban, and Budeprion)

· Venlafaxine (Effexor)

· Mirtazapine (Remeron and Remeronsoltab)

· Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

· Amitriptyline

· Imipramine (Tofranil and Tofranil-pm)

· Selegiline (Emsam, Eldepryl, and Zelapar)

· Nortriptyline (Pamelor)

· Trazodone (Oleptro)

· Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)

Anxiolytic: Relieves anxiety and tension. May promote sleep.

· Buspirone

Antipsychotic: Reduces or improves the symptoms of certain psychiatric conditions.

· Aripiprazole (Abilify)

· Medical procedure

Electroconvulsive therapy:

· Treating mental illness by sending electric currents through the brain to trigger a seizure. Also known as shock treatment.

Specialists

· Clinical psychologist: Treats mental disorders primarily with talk therapy

· Psychiatrist: Treats mental disorders primarily with medications.

· Primary care provider (PCP):

· Prevents, diagnoses, and treats diseases.

· Emergency medicine doctor:

· Treats patients in the emergency department.

I experienced my first anxiety attack my freshman year of college, and fell into depression in my senior year after the sudden death of my boyfriend. I’ve learned how to manage my anxiety with a few simple steps. The first thing I do is remind myself that I'm in control and there's nothing physically wrong with me. When you experiences anxious feelings, the mind has a funny way of tricking the body into believing it's experiencing things that it isn't. One of the best ways I find to silence the mind is to remind yourself of 5 things you’re grateful for. This replaces the anxious feelings and worry with positive thoughts. It's been proven that positive thinking improves your mood. One of my favorite quotes is "worrying is putting a down payment on a problem you may never have." Anxiety is something I am able to manage on my own however I did have to seek therapy for depression. The thought of having to go to therapy was mortifying. The stigma of therapy made me feel like I was incapable of dealing with my emotions on my own. Then I came to realize that seeking the help necessary to get me back on track and in a better mental state isn’t sad or pathetic. It’s bold, brave, and taking control of a situation I felt helpless in.

How did travel help with depression?

In addition to going to therapy, travel played a key role in helping me with depression. Initially, part of the reason I traveled was because it was somewhat of an escape. I didn't have to worry about anything. But one thing to note about running away from your problems, is that they always meet you right where you left them. I eventually learned how to use the time away to solve problems or gain clarity instead of running away from them. I'm typically known to play it safe but for some reason I am completely comfortable with leaving my comfort zone when I travel. I find that I'm more optimistic, open minded, and willing to try new things when I’m traveling. Traveling became another form of therapy. It reminds me to stay humble, grateful, and allows me to view things from a unique perspective.

I know picking up and taking the next flight is not feasible for most. My point is, aside from getting the proper medical attention you need, find a positive outlet that allows you to channel your energy into something productive. It is important to realize that no two people deal with depression or mental illnesses in the same way. What might work for one person won't necessarily work for another. These are merrily my experiences.

Mental illness is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. With proper treatment, most people can live very normal lives. What is important is that you seek help if you believe you're exhibiting symptoms of a mental illness or you've been diagnosed. There's nothing worse than knowing something is wrong and choosing to do nothing about it. You're doing a huge disservice to yourself.

* Note: The information you see describes what usually happens with a medical condition, but doesn't apply to everyone. This information isn't medical advice, so make sure to contact a healthcare provider if you have a medical problem. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or a emergency number immediately.