Funny what a global pandemic can do to a person living with a mental illness.

Back in March of 2020 when everything started to shut down, there were a lot of what-ifs; especially in the hospitality industry. How would restaurants, cafes and coffee shops stay open if no one was allowed to dine in? Not every place has a drive through. Not every place can afford a third party delivery service like DoorDash or UberEats.

I remember reading a post from another blog that I follow; which said that in times of crisis, people living with mental illness are being mislead to believing their symptoms have magically resolved. That they are ... cured.

Why, you ask?

Because, for the first time in forever, the entire world is operating on crisis mode; whether or not mental illness is involved. Those living with these diseases are having false epiphanies, such as; "Wow! Everyone else feels the exact same way I do; my #anxiety/#depression/#PTSD/#ADHD symptoms must be getting better! I don't need my medication anymore!" So they stop taking it. Suddenly. Without warning or consulting their doctors first. And anyway, why should they put other people at risk for checking in with their care team, because people who have been hospitalized with #COVID19 are more important than those with #suicidalthoughts. Doctors have better things to do and more important people to take care of than those who have daily #panicattacks.

Now please, DO. NOT. mistake my words for me thinking these doctors/nurses/paramedics etc... are not important, NOR should you mistake my words for making the #Coronavirus not as serious as it is. Because those people are important. And this disease is very real and VERY serious.

But #mentalillness deserves the same respect.

Circumstances change. And I am very thankful to have a care team who pays attention to that change.

See those two pills, there? That's my lifeline. Those two pills help level out my anxious brain, keep me engaged in my business and help me sleep at night so I can be the best version of me for my family, friends, employees and customers. I used to take one little pill, but you know what? The fact that I am taking a higher dose of my #anxiety and #depression #medication is okay.

Now, does that mean that I am all sunshine and rainbows 24/7? Of course not. I have bad moments. A bad day or even a bad week. My medication keeps me from staying in that dark pit. It helps me pull myself up and come out stronger than before.

I am not less of a person because I live with anxiety and depression.

I am taking medication to help control my symptoms and that does not make me weak.

Hi. My name is Ashley.

I am #oneinfive