The Good, The Bad, and The Truth About Anxiety and Depression Labels
When I think back to my college studies, it still astounds me that in the 1900s women who experienced extreme sadness or had issues remaining calm would often be committed to an insane asylum. Admittedly, we have made great strides in understanding the symptoms and labeling them under a category. However, addressing the symptoms and having a label for what you are experiencing is not good enough. That is why I would like to share with you the good, the bad, and the ugly about depression and anxiety labels.
The Good About Anxiety and Depression Labels
Can you remember the first time you experienced the energy-draining duo of depression and anxiety at the same time? The desperation to find out what was going on and trying to understand it all is not a fun journey. It takes a toll on you emotionally, physically, mentally, and even at a much deeper level, in your spirit.
I have a question for you though. Whenever you experience anything for the first time, how does it make you feel? The fact is that experiencing something for the first whether the outcome is good or bad, always carries some degree of emotion for almost everyone.
Relating back to the first time you experienced anxiety and depression, was it chaotic and confusing? Was the desire to understand what was going on within you critical and overwhelming? What happened to you the first time you went to a doctor or a therapist and they labeled you with anxiety and depression?
Was there a sense of relief? Why?
Unfortunately, there’s no way to know your answer. However, I can tell you my response.
I felt an immediate sense of relief. Looking back, it was simply because there was a label placed and medication was the answer. However, had my problem been solved? I hadn’t even taken the medication yet. There was no proof at all that what I was experiencing would be resolved with the labels or the medication. And still, I accepted what the doctor said with ease.
Let me shed some clarity on the situation, the desperation to understand what we are feeling is overwhelming. So overwhelming that we are willing to accept any label and do whatever it takes to resolve the issue. We are moms. We need a quick fix.
The good about anxiety and depression labels is that an individual can explain why they feel and act as they do. Also, a person can do research on symptoms and attempt to gain information on what’s going on. There are also medications and therapy available. And it’s all a great starting point. However, what’s the endpoint?
The Bad About Anxiety and Depression Labels
I desired an endpoint that no one could provide me with. As my journey continued, I needed to know that my life would not be dependent on medications and therapy sessions to get through the battles and challenges. I began to question everything! The one thing I was fully aware of was that I controlled my life, not any other person. And no one will ever care more for me than me. That’s when I discovered the bad about depression and anxiety labels.
The bad about depression and anxiety labels is that many of us will accept the label and give up any attempt to overcome the behaviors or triggers that create the reactions caused by them. Essentially, you give up control over your life. And when you give up control, you lose yourself. With time, you become your label instead of fulfilling your life’s purpose. Can you see how this further aggravates your anxiety and depression?
Eventually, even if you are on medication and in therapy the sensation intensifies. Before you can understand what’s happening you are in a downward spiral of nothingness. How many times have you experienced this and the response from your doctor or therapist is more often than not to add another medication, increase your current medication dosage, or change medication entirely? How often is anything other than depression and anxiety discussed?
The bad about anxiety and depression labels is that everything you do and feel is based upon what this diagnosis, the label society has placed on you, is. Heck, you even base everything in your life around this label. How many times have you, yourself, limited what you can do based on your anxiety and depression? I dare to ask you how many times was that a complete assumption not based on fact at all?
The Truth About Anxiety and Depression Labels
The truth about anxiety and depression labels is that anxiety and depression are real and it’s not a figment of your imagination. It is a relief to know that what you are experiencing others experience also. Recognizing that you have depression and anxiety is a great step forward.
The fact that there are some very intelligent people in the world that have created medications to assist with managing the symptoms of anxiety and depression is a great help. Therapy is also a great tool to use to manage your anxiety and depression. It also helps many people. Both are truly appreciated and there is nothing wrong with using either one of these methods to help manage your anxiety and depression.
But, I am who I am so I will ask you to go one baby step forward in your life.
Can you imagine a morning without carrying the label of anxiety and depression? What would you do? Would you be doing the exact same thing that you are doing now?
Or would your label limit you? Is it limiting you now from even being able to imagine that possibility? Are you having any type of physical and/or mental reaction to that thought alone? Why?
The truth about depression and anxiety labels is that they can become the very thing that keeps us stuck, and captivates us like a prisoner. The thing that provided an immediate sense of relief quickly becomes the thing that tears up your beautiful butterfly wings that allow you to fly.
So what can be done?
Brief Exercise
If you can for just one moment, release the label of anxiety and depression. Take a few moments to simply exist without any labels, even the mom label. Yes, I know…it’s just for a moment. Also, if it’s not too much trouble-close your eyes and take a deep breath in and hold it for a second and slowly release it.
Release the overwhelm, the exhaustion, the guilt, the fear that you are not enough. Simply exist right now. It’s okay you can stop reading for a moment 🙂
NOW…
When you imagine, think, feel, and desire without all the chaos and confusion while keeping your eyes closed-what do you see? A beautiful house, happy kiddos, a career, waking up energized and happy, everyone healthy, doing a hobby, heck – your own business? What do you feel, desire, imagine, and what do you think?
Hold on to that desire.
Open your eyes. Embrace that desire and that goal. Smile and let it be.
The Truth About What’s Really Going On
The truth about what’s really going on is that we exist on a multidimensional level. Let me explain. There’s our physical existence. That is the one that creates and usually demands most of our attention. After all, if we don’t take care of our physical being we will likely die.
Then we have our mental existence. This is also one we hear so much about. After all, when you carry the label of anxiety and depression this is where everyone will say the issue exists. You may have heard “fix your mindset” more times than you cared to. And admittedly, overwhelm, exhaustion, guilt, fear, and doubt do grow here like weeds.
The soul is another level of existence. This is where all of our characteristics come from. It is also where your faith exists. This is very easily influenced by outside sources. Your mind can become conditioned by the beliefs of others and create conflict within your soul where your original beliefs and characteristics come from. This is how defiance and rebellion are created. Parents of teens know exactly when this happens. That’s an explanation for another blog though.
Finally, there is the brilliant connection that exists at the core of your soul. There is an energy source, a drive, that is needed and determines how much energy you will maintain throughout the challenges and battles that life provides as an opportunity for growth. That energy source is your spirit.
Spirit? Isn’t that the same as soul? Nope. And this connection is what is needed and the truth of what’s really going on with you?
Spirit and Soul Connection
Your spirit is your personalized best friend that only has the best intentions for you. It is there to guide you and lead the way to maximize the opportunity for you to succeed during your journey. The connection is strong and pure and innocent. That is why children are naturally creative and full of promise before being conditioned by the world. The connection between their soul and spirit flows consistently.
However, with time the mind becomes conditioned by parents, friends, society, and demands and everything begins to shift. The connection becomes weaker or stronger depending on the individual. Those that encourage the connection become confident, energetic, and free to fulfill their passions. Others that are influenced to believe otherwise will allow the connection to weaken and even be broken and this will create overwhelm, exhaustion, guilt, fear/doubt.
How? Because you are trying to eliminate your existence in one dimension, therefore, eliminating the most important level of power. That is the root source cause of your anxiety and depression. Just think about it. In your home, if you run too many high-energy required appliances off of one circuit breaker, what happens? That is why you have multiple outlets and some with a higher wattage than others.
It is the same with us. The universe, God, or whatever you choose to call it, understood this. That is why we are provided with so many resources so that we can pull from each one as needed. However, when you’re disconnected from your powerhouse it’s only a matter of time before your entire house is left in the dark.
You have to reestablish the connection to empower the opportunity to live a life energetically alive and fiercely free to achieve your dreams.
360 Overview
The good, the bad, and the truth about depression and anxiety labels is that you know and can accept that overwhelm, exhaustion, guilt, and fear/doubt are playing too big a role in your life. Medications and therapy are great to help manage anxiety and depression. The goal is to get to the root of the issue so that you can resolve it and get rid of it once and for all. You deserve to live a life energetically alive and fiercely free to achieve all of your dreams. Your kiddos are depending on it.
Being a mom requires a massive amount of energy and for your cup to be full 24/7. You cannot afford to have your house in the dark. It’s time to stop pulling all of your energy from one power source. It is time to re-establish your powerhouse connection between your spirit and your soul.
My Mommy Empowerment Blueprint will help you do this!
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If you have any questions please feel free to comment below.
Be bold, brilliant, and beautiful. Live energetically alive and fiercely free!
