05/17/2022
💥For those of you who know and for those of who do not not know but will now, I have had mental issues for most of my life..beginning around 1990.
First I developed Anorexia at age 16 and then graduated to alcohol and drug abuse. Little did I know at the time, that I was using these aforementioned addictions to cope with an underlying issue.
Unbeknownst to me, I was suffering from a combination of mental health issues including anxiety, depression and OCD. I used my addictions to help me quiet my restless brain.
As a result , I almost died from the self destructive behavior.
For years I thought that because I was "different" I was somehow bad or incapable of living life on life's terms. Everything seemed to overwhelm me, but I did not know why.
This is why I am writing this today. Because, maybe someone out there can relate to me.
As a woman in recovery, I believe that it is my responsibility to "break the stigma" and give a voice to those who have similarly suffered and endured pain and heartache.
In my opinion, because of societal ignorance.
When I was a little girl, never once did I say "when I grow up I want my brain to betray and lie to me so that I get to become an addict when I grow up ".
I wanted to be "normal" just like everyone else.
What I have learned over the years in therapy and recovery, is that I am unique but so is every other human being.
What makes us all interesting is our colorful stories filled with highs and lows..everyone experiences life through different lenses. That's the way it goes.
I feel it's an honor frankly, to share my experience
hope and strength..even if it is only one person that can relate to me..it's a win in my book. Makes it all worth it!
I hope and pray my children never have feel alone and afraid to discuss what they are thinking and feeling...Good, bad or indifferent.
I am so grateful that people are bringing light to this very serious subject and attempting to erase the negative connotation attached to mental health issues.
Thank you for listening.
🥀Lindsey Steen
May 2022