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multiple_personalities_within_by_perkunija-d71nbtrI just got discharged from an inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. I see a therapist once a week. Every Monday and Thursday, I spend an hour in group therapy. Then I change into my scrubs and drive to work.

I’m a psychiatric nurse. I’m also a psychiatric patient.

“You don’t know about bipolar disorder. You can’t really know unless you have it.”

“I wish I could be normal like you and not have to take all these medications.”

“Wow, I feel like you really understand me. Do you have bipolar disorder, too?! Just kidding.”

These are just a few words I’ve received from patients.

When I tell my patients that it is possible to overcome their feelings of depression, their self-harming behaviors, their suicidal thoughts, I am speaking from a place of experience. When I tell them that I know it is hard and I know they might want to give up, I tell them because I remember those feelings. When I tell my patients they are not alone, it isn’t only because they are surrounded by others who struggle just like them in the hospital, it is also because I, too, struggle with mental illness just like them. When I tell my patients about the side effects of their medications, part of the education that I provide to them is from my own experience because I’ve experimented with so many medications myself.

When I tell them I know it must be scary being in a hospital and that I can’t even imagine how scary it is, I actually can imagine the fear, because I lived it too.

Sometimes, I believe the words of hope I tell my patients. Sometimes, it takes everything in me to push those words out because I feel hopeless myself.

Sometimes, I’m working with a patient to use positive coping skills to combat her urges to hurt herself while internally fantasizing about hurting myself. Sometimes I’m telling a patient how he needs to keep fighting because life is worth it, even though that earlier that morning I was crying in my car texting the Crisis Text Line before I clocked in. I have sat and talked with patients at the hospital and thought about how I should probably be a patient at the hospital myself because I felt so incapable of living.

I felt a unique flavor of shame when I introduced myself as a psychiatric nurse in my mental health intensive outpatient program. I hated disclosing to my health care providers during my recent inpatient hospitalization that I’m a psychiatric nurse at the hospital a town away. I felt like I should know better.

However, I do know that many people in the mental health field struggle with mental illnesses themselves, pulled to serve those who struggle like them. I do know that one of the most valuable lessons I learned while I was battling depression back in nursing school was that you can’t take good care of someone else if you can’t take good care of yourself. I do know that when you’re sick, you should seek health care, and mental illness is no different. I do know that it’s easy for us to have hope for others, but when it comes to ourselves, we often hold higher expectations.

I have to remember that changing into my scrubs is not the same as revealing an “S” on my chest. Nobody is superhuman. I’m allowed to have a mental illness. It’s okay for me to struggle, and I certainly don’t have to have all the answers.

We all have the right to our own feelings. We are entitled to our own pain. No matter your gender, race, age, or profession, there is nothing wrong with seeking help. Illness is illness. It does not discriminate. If you’re in the mental health field like me or if you’re not, if you are afraid of how others will view you, remember that at the end of the day, you are human and we all feel pain the same way.


Comments

11
  • Shirin

    Shirin Shirin

    Reply Author

    Leah! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences. I’m currently in nursing school and I feel called toward psychiatry because of my own experiences, but the voice in the back of my head says “if you can’t manage your own illnesses, how can you help somebody else?” After reading this story, I feel confident knowing that there is someone else out there doing it, and you sound like a great nurse. I’m currently a nurses aide and I often have to sit with people on suicide watch, which feels like a cruel joke as I’ve struggled with suicidal thoughts for 6 years, and realistically im sometimes more suicidal than my patients. Thank you for helping me feel less alone

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    • Leah Bartlett

      Hi Shirin! Thank you so much for your sweet comment; you are the reason I write posts like these. I’m glad I could help you a little and let you know that it’s 100% possible for you to become a psychiatric nurse! You really just have to stay on top of your own mental health and be aware that it has its own challenges when you work in the field, like getting triggered by certain patients, situations, etc. (which you probably have already experienced), but it also gives you an incredible sense of empathy that no other nurse would have and the patients definitely pick up on that! Sounds like you would make an incredible psych nurse. If you ever have any questions or need any advice, don’t hesitate to drop me a message! [email protected]. And always remember that your passions are SO much stronger than your fears.

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      • You Matter

        Hello Leah, thank you for your message! Don’t hesitate to spread the word about our phone number. We are not only for people thinking about suicide but for anyone going through a tough time. The call is free and confidential! The Lifeline is here any time day or night at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

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  • Miranda

    Miranda Miranda

    Reply Author

    Very bold my Leah, I couldn’t be more proud of you!

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  • Nini

    Nini Nini

    Reply Author

    Thank you for this post. It’s like a ray of light shining through the darkness I’ve surrounded myself in. Cliché but true, completely. Nothing happens overnight, slowly but surely, but sometimes it’s just hard to keep going… I’m a nurse, graduated just recently. I’ve alleys had an interest in the psychiatric and psychology areas in health, but alas, how can we can for others if we can’t even care for ourselves. I guess I’m still stuck on that point. When I’m not in my down state, I’ll try to research more on how to stay on top of my mental health. I’ll probably just call the lifeline for help…after I get over the initial fear of it. Haha. Thanks again for the article.

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    • Leah Bartlett

      Thank you so much for reading, Nini! Congratulations on graduating, and stay strong! You’ve got this.

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  • carolyn ludorf

    Leah, Thinking of you. Hope you’re OK.Please know that your coworkers will support you. It is so frustrating to not know what people struggle with, and then conjecture about them which does not provide any support. We are kept out of the loop, all in the name of confidentiality,when in fact, you have coworkers who have their own struggles,or have family members who struggle.This is a source of strength,empathy, and caring that is not being utilized. Please know that there is a work family that wants to help. Take a chance and ask for our help.You are an excellent nurse.We are here.How can we help?

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    • You Matter

      Thank you for reaching out to our community and encouraging others! The Lifeline is here for everyone any time day or night at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Feel free to pass along our number to anyone you think may need some extra support or call for yourself.

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  • mark

    mark mark

    Reply Author

    I am amazed at your courage, to face work every day providing the care that you sometimes need for yourself. I am so glad that you haven’t given up your career, you are a gift to your patients and an invaluable aid to their recovery. Thank you for your work, your words, and hanging on through the hurt and the pain.

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  • slope unblocked

    Hello Leah, really appreciate you. Keep up the good work on your bold stand up.

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