Starting Your Recovery Journey with Medications and Mindfulness

Starting Your Recovery Journey

So, jumping into recovery from anxiety, depression, or trauma can feel like diving into the deep end without a life jacket, right? A big part of this journey involves medications, like antidepressants. When you start taking them, your body needs some time to get used to it, so it's super important to stay connected with your doctor or psychiatrist. They’re there to help you navigate the ups and downs as you and your mind start to shift.

Mixed Feelings About Meds

Starting a new medication can be a total emotional rollercoaster. You might feel a bit relieved but also kind of anxious about what’s ahead. It’s completely normal to question if it’s going to work for you or what happens if it doesn’t. And let’s not overlook the weight gain concern—yeah, that’s been a tough one for me too. I used to be underweight for ages, so seeing an extra 15 pounds on the scale has stirred up a lot of feelings. On one hand, I know I’m getting healthier, but on the other, I’m like, “When is it too much?” It’s wild to think about needing to go up almost two pant sizes! Some days I look in the mirror and feel pretty normal, but other days I can’t shake the feeling that I’m overweight. It’s all about reminding myself to check "are these the expectations I’ve set? or is this real and factual?" Practicing mindfulness has been my go-to for staying grounded when those thoughts pop up.

Body Changes and Self-Care

One of the biggest surprises on this journey has been how my body reacts as it learns to feel safe. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it, but when you’re used to fighting against everything, it can be super tiring and confusing. Your body gets accustomed to working overtime, always craving what feels familiar and comfy. Putting yourself first again? That’s a whole challenge in itself! Both your body and mind like to resist change because, let’s face it, we’re creatures of habit and same = comfort. Breaking those habits or retraining your brain isn’t a walk in the park. But hey, we’ve got to keep pushing through and give ourselves some credit for the progress we’ve made so far!

Keep going, we've got this!