I’ve struggled with depression since I was a young adult. It’s a condition I have grown up learning to manage and one I am still working on every day. My early twenties were particularly difficult, as I battled severe depression and self-harming behaviors.
It wasn’t until I was in my 30s that I realized the impact my depression had on my eating habits. Because of my deep sadness, there would be days where I couldn’t even think of eating, or times when stress and anxiety caused me to binge eat and feel terrible afterwards. In hindsight, I should have reached out for help sooner, but it took me time to recognize what was going on with me.
My journey of healing went full circle when I came across therapy awhile back while searching for ways to cope with my depression naturally. Over the years, the relationships I’ve built with counselors have been integral in treating not just my mental health issues but developing a healthier relationship with food as well. Seeking counseling made all the difference for me; it felt like an extended family who deeply cared about helping me face some of life’s toughest challenges head-on.
Nowadays, if anything negative comes up around food or how I’m feeling in general, I’m more likely to reach out for support than watch from the sidelines in an unproductive downward spiral. Now that’s something worth celebrating!