Diagnosis only makes you stronger
It’s national mental health week, and to me, one of the most important awareness events of the year.
For too long, mental health issues have been shrouded in stigma and taboo. Those already struggling had their issues further amplified by the pandemic, and many people were experiencing their first bout of mental health troubles during this period.
But at this moment, it appears as though we are becoming more confident in discussing our mental health, or at least reaching out to check in on others. Many businesses and organisations are directing resources towards awareness and support, making it a key focus in the ‘new normals’ of 21st-century working culture. (Loopin are one of my favourites for enabling this, a Bristol-based startup that gives employers better means to manage and monitor their employees’ mental health by encouraging open and consistent dialogue.)
It’s amazing to see such a profound shift in the approach and understanding of people’s mental health, and in turn, this brings a new level of confidence to those who previously would doubt and limit themselves due to their own plights.
I’ve struggled with mental health troubles since I was a young kid. It severely impeded my school years and followed me through to university where I developed epilepsy during and prior to several significant life events. In December 2021, I received a diagnosis of BPD, complex PTSD and ADHD, a lot to take in all at once.
Despite this, I knew that giving up wasn’t an option regardless of how much despair was resting on my mind. Instead, I used this knowledge as power.
With a certified understanding of factors that contribute to my thoughts and behaviours, I could begin to work properly with myself. Ironically, it was a breath of fresh air in all honesty. Now I could piece together a system to manage and reshape my life and work. Prior to this, fear of the unknown held a powerful grip over me and the confidence I had in myself.
Here’s a brief breakdown of what I now do to stay on top of things.
- Habitually using my calendar and an app called Sorted3, my disorganisation as a result of my ADHD is under my control.
- I created and implemented structures into my daily routine, prioritising tasks and ensuring I complete what I need to do for the day, and prep for the next. Ensuring my week is varied in tasks and approaches.
- Daily meditation has helped combat impulsivity and allows me to relax more in social situations and free up some anxiety. (after trying several, Waking Up is my favourite app for this.)
- Therapy, up until January I’d been seeing therapists on and off for 4 years to discuss my feelings and struggles. It was through this I discovered work was a huge factor and quit my job.
- Scheduling important emails to go out the next day, pre-empting the inevitable “oh shit I should have said XYZ” panics that occur just as I go to bed.
- Spending time with myself (and this is a big one). Allocate time to me and being in my own company however I can; going for walks, taking myself out for lunch or dinner, and so on. It’s amazing what some solo time can do for mental clarity.
- Focus on the non-financial rewards, motivation is a lot easier to find from a genuine sense of achievement rather than chasing a salary.
- Cutting down on tech. I do often worry about the generations below me, and the impacts that the fast consumption of media depicting ‘perfect’ people will have. Try taking a break!
Currently, I’m fortunate enough to work for a company that grants me a great deal of flexibility and trust. I even rewarded myself with a cheeky working break to Budapest (from where I’m currently writing this piece) as a change of scenery. Work culture is hugely important, check out Armadillo’s great blog post on this here.
On paper, according to my diagnosis, I shouldn’t be good at:
- Working in a people-focused job
- Being in a 9–5
- Working a self-dictated (non-rota’d) day
- Be in high-stress, fast-paced roles & environments
Whereas in the past 8 years, I have
- Worked solely in people-focused jobs
- Managed LnD on a regional level for 15 stores
- Worked in one of the fastest-paced, high-stress retail environments
- Worked in roles where I dictate my own schedule and responsibilities
- Helped grow a creative agency to double its size in less than 6 months
Do I still struggle and have shit days? Hell yeah I do. But at the end of the day, everyone has their off days. Sure mine can be a bit more debilitating than I’d like them to be, but the satisfaction I get from my job on a normal day far outweighs these woes that previously dominated my everyday life.
My message is this. If you’re struggling and unsure of what is causing you to struggle. Seek the answers. Open up to a friend or family member, unload some of that weight and seek proper support if you need it. Ask questions, the hard ones. There is no shame in needing advice, and whether you like the answers or not, you are on the right path if you’re making that push.
You may find the closure and insight you need to live a happy and confident life, which in turn benefits almost every aspect of your life, and others. Your diagnosis does not define who you are or what you should be doing, it is simply a stepping stone towards greener pastures and a better tomorrow.
-Jimmy Gordon;
