160. Prescriptions for Hope: How Medications Support Mental Health

Angel Evanger has been living with depression and anxiety since her youngest daughter was born in 2002.  She was originally diagnosed with post partum depression but her depressive symptoms never went away. She lost a sense of will and happiness and had no drive to do anything. It was a challenge to both take care of herself and be a good mom with her depression and anxiety. She explains that she was struggling so much, that her OBGYN referred her to a psychiatrist. At first, Angel fought the recommendation of medication because she didn’t want to be someone that needed medication to function. She tried many times to feel better on her own. She felt she should be able to manage on her own. She finally surrendered to the fact that to live a full life, without depression, she needed medication. 

In our conversation, Angel talks about the cycle she would go through of feeling better on her medication, then getting off of it, and then going back to having a hard time and struggling in her relationship with her husband and being a parent to her young children. She goes on to discuss what ultimately led her to her decision to stay on her medication and the acceptance that medication was going to be a part of her life for a long time. 

Medication isn’t always as easy as taking one medication and feeling better. Angel explains that it’s often a cocktail of different medications. It’s individual to each person and you will need to find the right fit for you. Angel says that it took her a few years to find the right combination that worked for her. 

On this episode, Angel gives us many tips on how to go about and manage taking mental health meds. She educates us on the importance of having a “wellness team” and goes on to explain what this looks like and how you can come up with a wellness teacm of your own. 

There is a huge stigma when it comes to mental health medications. Conversations like this one are so important to end the stigma against mental health meds. Mental health meds are just as valid as medications for a physical illness. There is absolutely no shame in taking medications to support your mental health. Listen to this important conversation to learn of the potential benefits taking medications for mental health can have on your life and overall well-being.