World Mental Health Day - When the Diagnosis Changes Everything
Today is World Mental Health Day, and this one feels personal.
Years ago, I was diagnosed with depression. I took antidepressants for a short time, and while they took the edge off, something about that diagnosis never sat right with me. Deep down, I knew there had to be more to the story.
After a lot of self-advocating and digging deeper, I was kind of diagnosed with ADHD. I say “kind of” because while the specialist saw the signs, she refused to label it officially. She told me she didn’t want me to use it as a crutch. Even now, that memory makes me angry. I didn’t want an excuse. I wanted answers. I wanted to know what I was dealing with so I could learn how to manage it and move forward.
Years later, I went to the Amen Clinic, where they take a deep dive with brain scans and a full assessment. That’s when I finally got the real diagnosis and the clarity I had been searching for all along.
Living Undiagnosed
Before that, I spent years feeling like I was constantly fighting myself. I’d try to do all the right things, plan better, stay organized, follow routines, but nothing seemed to stick. I felt distracted, inconsistent, and overwhelmed. I started to believe I was lazy or broken.
That constant pressure led me to a place of real darkness. I didn’t understand why I couldn’t function the way others seemed to. I felt hopeless, and there were moments when I didn’t see a way out.
It still breaks my heart to think how many people are living in that same space, struggling without knowing why, being treated for the wrong thing, or feeling the weight of stigma and shame around mental health.
Finding the Right Support
Getting the right diagnosis was life-changing. For the first time, I understood how my brain worked. I learned what kind of structure and support I need, how to manage my energy, and when to give myself grace.
Since then, I’ve had tough days, but not one single day that felt like depression. NOT ONE. If you’ve ever experienced that kind of darkness, you know the difference between a bad day and depression, and that difference means everything.
I’ve become a better wife, a more present mom, and a calmer, happier version of myself. I’ve learned to live in a way that honors how my brain works instead of fighting it.
This journey didn’t just change my life, it shaped the way I coach. I know what it feels like to be dismissed, misunderstood, and told that “trying harder” should fix everything.
That experience taught me to truly listen to my clients, not just to their words but to what’s underneath, the frustration, the shame, and the exhaustion that come from years of trying to measure up.
It made me a better coach because I know firsthand that lasting change starts with curiosity and self-advocacy. My clients don’t need more willpower. They need tools that work for them, accountability that feels supportive, and someone who believes they can rebuild their lives because I’ve lived it.
A Message for World Mental Health Day
Mental health isn’t one-size-fits-all. Sometimes the answers take longer to find. Sometimes you have to ask again, dig deeper, and advocate for yourself until someone finally listens.
If something doesn’t feel right, don’t stop asking questions. Keep going. You are not too much, too emotional, or too complicated. You just deserve to be understood.
On this World Mental Health Day, I hope you remember that your voice matters. Keep using it. Keep asking. Keep fighting for the support that helps you thrive.