Mental Health Month
May is Mental Health Month. Has sickle cell disease impacted your mental health? If so, how have you coped with it?
I try to journal every other day or at least twice a week, especially on weekends when I have more time to clear out my thoughts, clean my home and practice self-care.
I dont allow sickle cell to dictate my life, because if I do, I would always be depressed, I make sure I live a healthy normal life to the fullest, meet with frends, watch videos, chat with friends over the phone etc. Even when I am in a crises, I make sure I play spiritual songs to boost up my spirit.
, I love your approach. It also sounds like you have a really great support system around you. Thanks for contributing to the conversation!
SCD impacts your mental health in many different ways but for most patients, it causes increased anxiety, depression and social withdrawal. I’ve had to incorporate mindful breathing exercises and meditation on a weekly basis to cope with feeling anxious/overwhelmed, especially after dealing with chronic pain symptoms. Journaling is another coping mechanism because it lets you be the spectator of your own thoughts. You observe, reflect and learn to let go. love the idea of journaling. I used to do it a lot in high school, but stopped as I got older. Do you journal daily, or just when you are trying to work some thoughts out?
