Anouska Proetta Brandon has revealed her own personal struggle with mental health.
Today is World Mental Health Day and many are posting online their own battle with depression along with uplifting messages.
The top Irish blogger, who runs Anouska.net, admitted in an Instagram post that she noticed four years ago that she something was wrong.
“Today is World Mental Health Day so I want to share my story with you. About four years ago I noticed something was wrong inside of me. I felt sad all the time, I couldn’t explain why,” she wrote in an Instagram post.
The Youtuber also revealed that after she soought help, she felt much better and stopped having panic attacks.
“I had the most crippling panic attacks, I couldn’t get on public transport without freaking out and feeling like I wanted the world to just swallow me up. Eventually I got the courage to see my doctor and explain how I felt – and she put me on anti-anxiety and depression medication,” she continued.
“I was so apprehensive at first, I thought this was a sign of weakness that I couldn’t control my emotions myself. But after a month I started to feel better. And a month after that, I realised it had been a whole month since I’ve had a panic attack.
“All of a sudden doing normal everyday things didn’t scare me anymore, I felt happier in the mornings, and I could get on a bus or train without the fear that I would have a panic attack. All the medication did was help the chemical imbalance in my brain, which made the biggest difference to my life.
Mental health: Anouska posted her mental health story on to her social media | INSTAGRAM
Anouska is grateful for how far she’s come but encourages others to seek help and break down the taboo of taking prescription drugs in Ireland.
“In Ireland in particular, taking prescription drugs is still a taboo subject, something we don’t talk about. But they have helped me be the person I am, and if I had never asked for help I may still be in that dark place. These pills aren’t magic, I still feel anxious, I still get panic attacks, but now I have the power to deal with them better.
“Your mental health is so important, it’s important to look after yourself. I’m not saying medication works for everyone, but it worked for me and I am so grateful to my amazing doctor for always checking in on me.
“If you’re feeling down, talk to someone. Ask for a hug, and look after yourself. Your health is your wealth!”
