As it is National Suicide Prevention Week, it prompted me to write about mental health and how it pertains to PCOS. This week, falling in our awareness month, is fitting because so many cysters deal with mental health issues. Some issues possibly from cortisol stealing the necessary hormones needed by the brain, as we briefly touched on with the nutritionist last month, or from dealing with all of the stress associated with PCOS.

The first thing that I want to say it that it is OK. Don’t think that you are not “normal” as not only do many cysters deal with things like depression and anxiety often, but even non-cysters deal with these issues all of the time. The second thing that I want to say it to be proactive about taking care of your mental health. We take care of our bodies, why not our minds? Why not see a specialist? Why take Metformin but not an antidepressant?  You cannot fully take care of your body if your mental health is not taken care of as well. We have plenty of stress with our bodies in a constant state of change. The last thing that I want to say is that I am a firm believer of both holistic treatments and medical science, and most doctors in the mental health field will tell you that the best plan of attack is a combination of therapy and prescriptions. There is nothing wrong with seeing a therapist or with taking a pill. If you need help, do both! Find what is right for you and don’t give up until you do. Attack with the same attitude that we approach PCOS with. After all, health is health and we are warriors! If anyone wants to talk, publicly or privately, feel free to talk to me.  As with anything else, we are here to support one another.

Written by Amy