Mental health is a sigma that has plagued the world for many decades. For ostomates, or anyone dealing with a digestive disease or disorder, having a mental health issue can feel like a double-edged sword. From the pain and problems associated with your digestive disease or disorder, along with changes in body image from your ostomy, mental health symptoms can feel very intense.
As someone with Crohn’s disease, an ostomy, and diagnosed mental health disorders, I know what that feels like. The labels, stigmas, pain and hopelessness I suffered with for many years felt extremely overwhelming for far too long. I felt as if no one could relate and developed turmoil in my relationships because I felt like I’d never overcome all the issues I was facing. My world was literally crumbling beneath me. Thankfully though, I climbed out of the darkness and reclaimed my life.
What I found was that when I addressed my physical health I was unknowingly addressing my mental health as well, because the two feed off each other. I started by changing things in my life a little over time. I developed a spiritual practice, which lead me to finding holistic and alternative healing modalities. I started being kinder to myself through positive self-talk and affirmations. I started noticing how grateful and thankful I was for everything I did have. I eventually started eating better and exercising and with time and practice I felt better all the way around. By releasing all the labels and stigmas that were attached to me; I healed inside and out.
If you have been diagnosed with mental health disorders, don’t be limited by what your insurance or doctors allow for. I challenge you to add in or create your own healing routine because only you know what you need. We are all different and we all heal differently too. Invest in yourself because when you become the best version of you; you have the ability to inspire someone else that needs to hear your story. Your story has the ability to touch other people’s lives and make a difference to people who are struggling.