Photos from your life/random thoughts thread

Mental illness is a huge problem in the Asian American. It's especially prevalent among our community because of high stress levels, underreporting, and as you pointed out, the cultural taboos levied against it. My grandmother had a textbook example of PPD but my father refused to even consider putting her into therapy or medication.

Have you gotten a second or third opinion from different doctors? Medication is a really big step. I almost took it myself because the first guy I met with was seriously pressuring me into it. When I consulted with some other doctors, I learned that there are lots of other things to try before medication. Medication should be taken if your life is crushingly debilitating cause of your illness (can't hold down a job, can't ever go outside, etc) or if you're exhausted the other options.

I have symptoms consistent with clinical depression and ADD. The second and third doctors gave me a lot of good advice. I take Vitamin D pills everyday because I stay indoors and work long hours. I had a physical and a blood test. Turned out my Vitamin D levels were really low, and when that happens, you start developing depression-like symptoms. I also started exercising much more often. Exercise elevates mood, reduces stress, and burns off excess energy. I'm much more focused and serene after a great workout.

But if you literally cannot do any work or even summon up the willpower to go work out, then medication is probably a good path. It also doesn't have to be permanent. I have other peers and mentors who have suffered from mental illness. Some of them are quiet about the medication they take, others have weaned themselves off it.

I wish you the best. I want to reiterate that you have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. The brain is an organ like anything else. It can get sick and you may need medicine to correct it. However, at the same time, it's a decision that should be made with a lot of consideration. It's like opting for a heart surgery before trying to burn off gunk in your blood vessels in the old fashioned way. Your case could be serious enough that you may very well need medication, but other options should be explored first before opting to go on pills.

Please be healthy and safe. If nothing else, I hope you know that at least one random Internet stranger cares about your well-being!

/r/asianamerican Thread Parent