-Follow along for a look at women's mental health, and how it fits along with anxiety treatment, stress relief, and creating safe spaces for women to seek treatment for their mental health in the psychiatriy world.
Listen, there's nothing like sharing some tips and tricks of the trade. Like "insider secrets", but for mental health. Ever wonder if there's something that your therapist or healthcare provider isn't sharing with you? Feel like you didn't get the information that you know you need during your visits? I'll bring you some things I see, and experience, and hopefully it helps you find some sense of peace in your own mental health journey.
Fill up on your cup, and let's take a few sips together...
So, one of the first questions I get when I told friends and family about starting a specialty for women was.... why?
A family member even asked, "Well, what about men's health and wellness?"
My jaw hit the floor.
I defended myself and made some comment about how there are things done for men and by men in society that's commonplace and blah blah blah... BUT I did think about that for a while, and actuall felt guilty for a minute at the thought that I might be leaving someone out when it comes to care and mental health.
But then I thought about my own struggles with sharing things with my own providers. I'll be honest, I have a nervousness even about having male massage therapists! And if he's good looking...even worse. There's something about sharing my most delicate, and personal issues with a woman who has also walked a similar road. Even if our culture, race, or sexual preference is different, we still have that shared experience.
Last week I had a patient tell me what she felt that when she went to her psychiatrist (male) office. She said that she had a particularly hard week and cried during the vists, explaining that she was also going through a breakup. He handed her a prescription for Lexapro 5mg, and sent her out the door. She told me that what stuck with her from the visit was that he had seemed so put off at her tears, and didn't know what to do. So he scribbled on the med pad faster than she could wipe the dripping mascara from her cheeks..and sent her off.
Now, what do girlfriends do? We listen. Sure, we may bash the ex for leaving such a splendid specimen...but we listen.
And that..THAT.. is why I do what I do.
Discussing personal and often sensitive topics in therapy requires a certain level of trust and comfort. Many of us may feel safer and more at ease opening up to a female, especially when addressing issues such as trauma, abuse, or body image concerns.
Seeing another female who has walked a similar path sends a message of support for gender equality in the mental health field and reinforces the importance of representation. Seeing other women succeed in professional roles can inspire confidence and resilience in clients.
Depression and anxiety aren't meant to last always. But there are several ways to address it. I have the fortunate opportunity to prescribe, diagose, AND treat. Emphasis on the treat. And I don't take that lightly. I wish there were more who did so, as well. But the typical healthcare provider schedule doesn't allow times for chit-chat or deep dives.
So, yea.
Why women?
Why not?
Sip sip, girls..
Cre
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