Health

12 Women Reveal How They Overcame Their Mental Illness

In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, let these true stories remind you there is always light at the end of the tunnel

by Lindsay Tigar | COMMENT

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"I Made Time for the Small Things That Brought Me Joy" Even though Shannon Battle is a licensed professional therapist, that didn't prevent her from developing a mental illness of her own. She was officially diagnosed with adjustment disorder, a condition where a person feels detached from life and struggles with extreme sadness, most often after a stressful experience or trauma. Though she had an inclination that something was wrong, it wasn't until people commented on her blank facial expression and growing distance that she took action.

What worked for her? Learning to make the small things in life that brought her joy a priority. "I blogged. I said 'no' more often, and I stopped thinking for everyone else, and allowed them to take ownership of their outcomes. I made time for myself -- physically by getting up at 5 a.m. to pray and exercise. And I started eating lunch away from my office while shutting down my phone," she shares.

By making this shift, she held herself more accountable for self-care and prioritized her overall well-being over trying to make everyone else happy. In the end, that helped her to see the light beyond the clouds.

Image via Shannon Battle

SEE NEXT PAGE: "I Decided to Do It For Myself"

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