Mental Health Mama

Mental health, something so widely talked about yet so hushed. Combine motherhood with mental health and you'll really turn some heads. I'm a 26 year old single mom to a six year old little boy and I've struggled with mental health for many years. As a teenager I was diagnosed with ADHD, depression, PTSD, anxiety and OCD. Later on in my life, after I had my son I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and that was the biggest blessing of my life. Everything made so much more sense of my life. They tried diagnosing me as a teenager with bipolar but it was brushed off as a teenage drama queen (which was also true) but I wasn't able to start being me and living my life until my bipolar diagnosis. I was able to get on the proper medications (highly reccommend talking to your doctor about Rexulti if you're looking for the right fit for you) and was able start researching my mental health and making sense of things like manic episodes. Being a mom and being bipolar is hard, somedays it feels impossible but I just want you to remember you're not alone. There are plenty of other parents out there trying to manage both and somehow succeeding. Somedays are better than others, somedays I can't get out of bed. Otherdays I find myself in a manic episode obsessively cleaning until everything is perfect. I know my son knows something is off with mommy but he doesn't love me any less, and your kiddos don't love you any differently either. I encourage anyone struggling with their mental health, parent or not, to get help. Don't be too afraid to seek support. Here in Colorado Springs we have a facility called Mentally Strong that I wish everyone knew about. They're a group of people who genuinely care about their clients and focus on empowering YOU to choose to be mentally strong despite the hard times you might be going through. I've been utilizing mentally strong for the last year and a half and I'm finding it's easier to be a mama with support. Find other parents that are struggling and partner up, be there for each other. It may take a village to raise a kiddo but it can also take a village to keep ourselves together at times. Don't be afraid to find your voice and seek support so you can be the best you!