I just wanted to thank you for not just this video but your whole series on mental health. I had been privately struggling with my mental health for years, and once I came across your channel I was able to put a name to my symptoms and reach out for help. To say the least you saved me. So thank you Rhian from the bottom of my heart.
Sydney, i'm so glad you were able to reach out for help and i'm so honored to have helped in any small, indirect way. Wishing you the very best going forward and so much love from me
love you for this. my mom just lost a 18 year old co worker at her job and the girl looked up to her as a second mom so it hit her pretty hard to hear she took her own life. she had a ton of mental illness issues and sadly just didnt have a mother of her own to support her and help her and rather treat her as a burden so it broke my heart. so thank you for being so open and honest with your viewers you are such a beautiful soul miss ❤️
honestly its just good to hear someone say "hey i have these issues and im not perfect" bc unfortunately we live in a world as such where everyone looks like this perfect person who lives a perfect life but reality is, some people arent. and its super refreshing to hear some reality.
Severe Ocd/depression for both my son's since middle school. A slow taper is the best piece of advice anyone can give someone thinking about coming off psychiatric meds. Exercise is great, however depression usually comes with extreme fatigue so it can be very difficult to exercise. Having a good support system is key. So key. Getting out in nature is very important. Mindfulness is also so important. After dealing with the psychiatric community for over the past 20 yrs, I now realize that most psychiatrists are very good at doling out drugs but are clueless, and even unwilling at times, to help patients do a taper. Their tapering schedules are often too rapid for many patients. Finding a good therapist is very important however many people are unable to afford routine sessions. All therapists are not created equal. So sorry for your struggles.
This is very informative. I personally do not suffer from any mental health problems but I have a lot of close people that do. When they come to me for support it's hard to understand what they are going through. Especially when they can't express themselves. Thank you for sharing this.
I can relate SO much to this video. I don't take any sort of medication, I've never been diagnosed with any sort of specific mental illness, BUT I for sure know I am dealing with something because I do have super low points where I have absolutely no motivation, I also have days where a typical 8 hour day at work doesn't take me 12 hours to accomplish. It's so frustrating to be self-aware and realize that you normally could do more, but you actually just can't in that time. Thank you for being open and talking about this, and I'm so glad that you are sponsored for this video because TH-cam apparently doesn't want to monetize anything to do with mental health =/
Thank you so much for sharing this, for sticking your neck out despite the stupidity people may spew at you, and for providing much needed visibility for a serious issue that is far too often swept under the rug. I'm so glad you feel like you're on the right road and wish you all the absolute best in meeting your goals!! I sincerely hope you feel like you can continue to share your story with us. I would also just like to say...please have mercy on yourself for being devastated by your dog's passing. You are allowed to mourn, to feel low, to be filled with sadness, and you are allowed for that to last a long time. Loss is trauma. It is perfectly acceptable to be knocked off your feet by it - whether you have a tendency to be depressive or not. Hitting a low point after experiencing the loss of a loved one is NOT a failure. I have been there so many times, with pets and people. Don't ever feel bad for mourning. It hurts because they were important to you. Eventually the weight of their passing becomes a comforting presence, but the sadness is IMPORTANT. Don't fall in to the happiness trap. It's not your job to be happy and even and "up" all the time. You are newly un-medicated- your feelings, the good and the bad, are new to you. Experiencing *any* of them with recognition is a triumph. You didn't have a setback, you had a breakthrough. It's hard and it's ugly and it's awful, but it was not a failure. Forgive yourself. ::hugs::
I'm so glad it was helpful!! You seemed so disappointed in yourself for choking up about it, and I felt so sad - you're already in mourning, there is no need to add guilt on top of it. The entire range of human emotion is important. Sadness, mourning, loss, they are there for a reason. Your dog was very important to you, it does your relationship justice to experience the pain of the physical loss. That being said - I KNOW it fucking hurts. It's NOT fun. It's one of the worst things I've ever gone through and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but I cannot imagine going through all that and *also* being worried that my sadness might constitute a failure of some sort. It just isn't true. That sadness is all yours, woman. Cry and cry and cry. It's damned ok. You will come out the other side, I promise. And if you do end up feeling like it's going on too long (months and months at the same intensity), or like it's snowballing and becoming too much for you to lift on your own, then you have your support system there, and you have the medication to get your brain out of the groove it may have carved for itself. Sometimes even just a couple weeks on a mild dose of something like diazepam is enough to jar people out of it. Talk to your doc - but again, a couple months of mourning is normal, and fine, and awful, and good, and needful, and significant. ::hugs::
Love you Rhian! These updates are so incredibly helpful. More so than you probably think. I love that you are opening the door and the conversation. It's important for us to be able to talk about how we are doing especially when we're not ok. I feel so connected with you! Keep doing what you're doing ❤️
Reading through these comments has definitely affirmed that this conversation is super important. Thanks so much for being so sweet and i hope your day is beautiful
I've dealt with anxiety and depression my whole life. It's so 'funny' to me the things that you described like when you know a wave has passed, or how strange the brain is about being depressed one minute and happy the next. I have days all the time like that where I'm so depressed I can't even move from my bed, but the instant I know the wave has passed I can feel it, and it's the best feeling in the world. Medication hasn't worked for me, but therapy has, and I have a great support system, just like you mentioned you do. I appreciate you making this video, especially for the people who don't know a lot about mental health or how and what to do about it. Love you and your channel, stay strong. ❤
You are brave for sharing your experience. Don't pay attention to those who comment with mean or snarky remarks...they obviously have no clue. Stay brave and strong...keep putting one foot in front of the other as you walk along in your journey. Even if it takes you a little longer or you stumble once in awhile...your spirit is still trying to be brave and get you thru this time in your life...even if at times your brain is "in a fog" and can not see it right now. You obviously are a fighter. That's a good thing. I remember reading in one of your prior posts about how if you just do one thing a day to show some type of progress/motivation...that that was positive. It made me see things in a new light and also, that I wasn't alone in this world feeling lost and that I could not move...that there were others out there feeling the same way and that it wasn't just me. So you sharing your story does help. Wishing you only the best...with everything.
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for this video. This "sponsored" video is Life changing and to some can be life saving! I have my own struggles, but will share the "have a baby" dilemma. Can you believe that came from the mouth of my primary care doctor when I really was struggling with physical symptoms in my early 30s! Needless to say, never went back to him, but was kind of the consensus, in a quiet way from a lot of people. I am a proud mom of a beautiful son who will turn 21 this year! I will be sharing this video with many a person. There is a lot of suffering out there. Many blessings, dear woman😘
Holding you up in prayer. I get you. my daughter has been struggling and is now under a doctor's care. I so appreciate you making these videos. it's really helped me to get a better understanding of how to best help my child...so thank you.
Thank you Rhian. I was on ssri for about 9 months due to some "slight" depression. It helped me then but I still keep cautious about myself as those downs do come back sometimes. I think there is never enough talking about mental health, people are often ashamed or confused about their feelings. But as you say Rhian we all need to look for someone, have a good spirit next to us. I am hopeful about you, Adam, your dog family. Be strong and proud of what you give to us. Thank you once again ❤️
This meant so much to me personally. As I am sure you know as well, Rhian, knowing someone else just gets you and understands without even the words sometimes helps you feel better. I experience that "lag" and loss of concentration and the lows and manic moments so often. It can be hard keeping yourself pushing through, but I try day to day. I went through severe trauma from an abusive six year marriage five years ago (remarried now), and my family had taken him in and I had to go into hiding. It has been a process learning to move on and handle PSTD and severe anxiety in my daily life. I often talk down to myself about how I used to be so successful when I was still living in Australia. I just came out of a two year low where I didn't step outside the house more than a handful of times for two summers in a row except to get in the car to go get groceries. I recently started counseling again despite difficulties in trusting people and it has started to help me immensely. Sometimes it is just about finding the right person, so to your viewers, I think the most important thing is that they don't give up if the first person they end up going to just doesn't click with them. Just... thank you so much for being such a genuine, authentic human being who is willing to share her story, no matter how difficult. I appreciate it so much and it has helped me greatly. Ever one of your mental health and self care videos reminds me I am not alone and that I can keep fighting, even when some days are exhausting or when I feel like giving up. And I hope you know that when you are also in those dark places that so many of your followers/viewers probably feel exactly the same as I do in how we care about you as well and we understand you and will support you as much as we can from afar when you need it.
Andreea, I am so sorry you are feeling that badly. ): Please know that you are not alone. And in terms of physical symptoms, I get headaches quite often, but the main problems for me is tensing my shoulders, neck and jaw. During the hardships in my life I got so used to curling in a ball and feeling the need to protect myself that I would tense quite badly. Unfortunately, while my life is better now and I am not longer in harms way, my body's natural state is now tensed and balled up when in any state of even minor stress. I am working with a therapist and chiropractor to change my muscle memory, but it is slow going and might always be a hurdle. I have severe neck and shoulder pain daily that can often interfere with my daily routine and put me in a dark place. I feel like the best things I have found to help with these problems is a mix of yoga, meditation (the app "wildflowers" is great for this and teaches you breathing techniques through guided meditation), exercising when I can, making sure to get enough sunlight (vit. D helps a lot), getting enough water, getting a massage either from a loved one who booking one from time to time for some self care/pampering and occasionally using isolation chambers/float spas if/when I can afford them as an extra treat. I hope some of those suggestions might help. I think the most important thing is to never give up trying new ways to help yourself which can hopefully lead to finding what really works best for you. And most of all, just knowing there are others out there who understand you and care, even if they have never met you. Be kind to yourself and take it slow.
Mental health issues is a big deal these days and it’s nice that people started talking about it. I got many clients who do sports in order to help them with mental health. I am glad that people openly admitting that they go through mental challenge. Speak out and there are people who will not only hear you but also will be willing to listen! Love to all of you❤️💜🧡
Hello Rhian I recently subscribed to you after finishing a month of turning vegan after being vegetarian for a while. I just wanted to say how watching your videos has really inspired and helped me. Especially your topic of mental health as I have suffered with anxiety & depression all my life. It came to an explosive situation after Christmas. I ended up in hospital and am now taking medication which seems to be helping. Your videos are so honest and helpful and I enjoy learning all your vegan tips. Thank you so much x
I was also on meds for many years and it took me nine months to SLOWLY get off of them, I don't know how you did it in two-weeks. You are off them know, so keep moving forward with your self care habits... BIG hug for you and keep taking care of yourself you gorgeous girl!!!
This video couldn't have come at a better time for me. I have watched your mental health videos in the past just to help better understand what those around me go through and general curiosity but my boyfriend just revealed to me that he feels overwhelmed to the point of terror, his heart beats fast, he cries and experiences tunnel vision. His remedy for this is to just bury the feeling and it hit me that he never expresses things that are emotional. He's dealt with a lot in life, and his family never even asked how he was doing. He often lacks self confidence and goes silent when life gets stressful. Im trying to get him to talk to someone else other than me and BetterHelp seems like it would be a good fit for him. Im so proud of you for taking your mental health as seriously as you do and that you're gently coaxing and educating those that may need help to go at a slower pace, find someone qualified to help and remember to self care. I hope you are successful but patient going forward. You're brave and are so so appreciated. Love you girl XOXO
I really hope your boyfriend finds something that helps, its so hard when you're "in it" to realize how debilitating it is and how good life COULD be because you get good at just dealing with it. Thank you for the sweet words, you are so lovely and your boyfriend is in good hands, i can tell
Thank you for making this. It's the only thing that's helped me today. I'm diagnosed as bipolar II and only started medication (Wellbutrin xl/Remeron/trileptal) in February after I attempted suicide. The last few weeks have been great, as if my mind was incapable of going back into the darkness. Today though, the walls crumbled and it flooded back in. I've been in bed all day snuggling my dogs and trying to fight it. I remembered I had saved this video in my watch later, so I just finished it and I feel a bit better now. Just listening to you talk always has a calming effect on me. I'm lucky I have a great support system too, but none of them can fully understand what it's like. So, thank you for existing and being such a lovely person. You've helped me in so many ways (veganism/beauty/mental health). 💜
Rhian, you have always been one of my favorite TH-camrs but whenever you post more personal videos like this one, they really remind me what a fantastic content creator and human being you are. I have been struggling horribly with my mental health lately, it has always been an issue for me for as long as I can remember but recently it has been at it's worst. I have been struggling with some very important decisions surrounding my mental health and although this video didn't help me to make said decisions it just showed me that I am not the only one struggling and that even though we struggle, it isn't the end of the world. I would never shame anyone for having mental health issues or for choosing to be on medication but for some reason I've always felt ashamed of myself for having Bipolar and being medicated. I always found it difficult to accept that I need help sometimes and that I have a disease. But some how you help me to be a little bit more accepting and a little bit kinder to myself. I love that you are such an advocate for self-care because it truly encourages me to be gentle with myself and to acknowledge when I need love and that it's okay to love myself. Be gentle with yourself as well, we appreciate everything you do and love seeing your videos and your posts but make sure you are taking things at a healthy pace. We are here waiting patiently. Thank you, truly.
Thank you for sharing your story. My sister introduced me to your channel almost a year ago and you are much of a bigger inspiration than a lot of major influencers out there. I know I'm not a day 1 fan but I want to be a loyal one by saying I respect and enjoy every content you post whether it's three times a week or once a week. I know how risky it is to put your life online and how scary it is to disappoint your fans but just know I will support you no matter what! Always make yourself a priority even if it means taking a hiatus. I have loved watching you grow. Love you and thank you for being you.
Fudge the haters! You are amazing! You've helped me so much. By the end of 2015 and the first 6-8 months of 2016 I was struggling so much with anxiety and panic attacks and I didn't talk to anyone about it because I thought I was being "ungrateful". If it wouldn't have been for my best friend telling me that I clearly showed symptoms of depression I never would have paid that attention to my problems and I never would have looked at them the way I did. Talking about it is such an important step and you're taking a bullet for so many people. You're helping so many out there just by talking about it. You inspire others and you help others to se that little light in the tunnel that my friend helped me see. Keep up the good work! Love from Sweden 🇸🇪🇸🇪
I am so grateful that you shared this. I have been following your story for some time (as well as your other videos, which I LOVE). I have been experiencing something similar and have off and on for years. I have been diagnosed with various things throughout the years but my last doc said I had cyclothymia. I did medication years ago, but I found that exercise, diet, meditation and counseling made me feel the most stable. In the past year I've slowly given up all of these focuses...and it has affected me deeply. I have wonderful people around me, but I don't reach out to them often. The focus element you spoke about...I have major issues with that and constantly feel exhausted. This video has inspired me, you inspire me. I missed your videos while you were gone for a bit, but I'm glad you came back and shared your experience. Thank you for being vulnerable and for being a beautiful presence on youtube.
As someone who suffers from clinical anxiety, thank you so much for making this video! I love how open you are and really appreciate you! Stay strong ❤️
Great video and thank you for sharing! The comment "what do you have to be depressed about" is a daily struggle for me. I hope you continue to find balance.
I needed this right now! Thinking of getting off of MY anti-depressants, it was just perfect timing. Thank you so much for being so open with us always! You have always been so inspiring.
Hi Rhian, this is the very reason that I have been wanting to stop taking my anxiety meds. Thank you for sharing your personal experience - you are a strong and inspirational woman!! xx
Love you so much Rhian. Sending you all the very best for feeling like you've got your feet fully back under you again 💕 Mental health is so important and as someone who has suffered and is recovering it gives me a lot of hope that we're all talking about it more. Stigma and shame make it so much harder to get help and get well. Thank you so much for being such a genuine and brave ambassador for change 👑 ✨ The "you have a nice life you have nothing to be depressed about" is SO freaking frustrating and uninformed. It's like (and I think this was a tumblr quote but I'm using it anyway) telling someone with asthma there's no reason they can't breathe because there's plenty of oxygen in the room. Andrew Solomon (who's TED talks are EXCELLENT) makes an fantastic point that lots of people with difficult life situations suffer from undiagnosed mental health issues because when your life is really hard, feeling down, hopeless and/or anxious seems normal so you might not seek or have access to treatment. People who have more fortunate circumstances often have cause to look around and think "why do I feel so horrible all the time, perhaps something is wrong" and be able to seek treatment. EVERYONE who is suffering deserves treatment and support.
You are such a warm, inspiring, kind, loving human and I am so grateful for everything you create (whether related to mental health or not). You're honest and open and I look forward to all your videos. Sending love from Bristol xx
Thank you Rhian for making this video that touched me so much and brought me to tears, not only because I feel in my bones what you are talking about. I suffered from panic attacks, dark thoughts and insomnia since I was 15 and going in contraception doesn't make it any better. But fighting is a daily thing for us, we live and we learn. And so, I learn so much from this video! I've been watching all your videos and commenting sporadically just so you don't stop making them and also let you know how much it helps! Thank you thank you thank you, and be strong, you now know more than you have at any other stage of your life! ❤🙏🏻
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, it's a really emotional thing to share and it takes guts to put that online. I still get choked up when I talk about my crisis point in life even though it was years ago. I don't know if those raw emotions ever go away we just learn to understand ourselves more and let that be part of what made us who we are. I feel like when you have gone down to the lowest valley you can reach out and show others there is light and hope. It's our vulnerability that connects us at a deeper level. I experienced electric shock feelings after coming off anxiety and anti- depression meds. It was really scary. I still get anxiety and depressed states where I'm unproductive and just want to curl up under the covers for lack of spark. What I learned is that though your flame might be dim at times, it still burns and holds on. And the days will come when that flame burns bright, a glorious fire within - on those days you make it count. When the time comes to acknowledge the lows, be gentle and take the time to nurture that flame. I think with the therapy, it's about finding someone you click with. My 4th therapist was amazing, I felt heard and seen. It's just like life, some people you'll vibe with others you won't. I had a fear for going to therapy and kind of gave up going to one until the last try. Since you like walking your dogs, you could do agility / obstacle courses with them? Or put two cones down far away from each other and run to and fro with the doggies / use trees as points to run to? Running is always fun with a woof! Or cycle with them on a lead?
thank you so much for being so open and being such a big advocate for mental health awareness and care. i don't wanna get super depressing in this comment, but having recently lost a friend to suicide and suffering from depression/anxiety/PTSD myself, it's an issue close to my heart. i can tell that you are a strong woman and i am so glad that you share your life with us online! know that you are inspiring in many many ways
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend, Emily and also your own struggles. I wish i could give you a big hug! You are such a sweet human and i hope today is a good one
I wish I had seen this last week. I am officially on day four of my withdrawal from Effexor. The withdrawal symptoms at one quarter of a dose last week were simply awful. I am so happy I stumbled upon this video after watching your nail tutorial. You're authenticity is inspiring :) thank you
Thank you so much for sharing this. I have also struggled with generalized anxiety and depression my whole life. I was highly medicated as a child so I was very afraid to take medication. Welbutrin actually helped me a lot, but it was giving me bad dry mouth and I had to stop taking it. I have utilized therapy and it is great to know about this resource. I am sure that this took a lot of courage and strength to speak up since there is such a stigma about mental illness. It is eye opening, even for someone who has a mental illness, to see someone who looks like they have it all also struggling. And I don't say it in the way nasty viewers were saying it. I'm just saying that it shows you that even though some people seem to have great lives and are very put together can also be struggling. Mental illness isn't something that you can choose. And I think that those viewers really miss the point of that or have never struggled. You are right that one of the most important things is to have a good support system. When I was struggling a lot I reached out to my partner and my friends for support. It was hard to open up but my friends are great and are very receptive. It is hard being in a relationship when you have a mental illness because you don't want your mental illness to drive your partner away. You may worry that they will leave because sometimes it seems like too much. But it seems like you also found a great partner who supports you and reassures you that even in your darkest times that they will be there and help. That is a great and powerful thing. I wish you the best in your journey to better mental health and I hope that you find the balance you are looking for. All the best to you! Thank you for making this video and all your videos. I'm a big fan.
Rhian, my best friend and I love watching your videos! We both struggle with different issues, but think it's awesome that you push through and still upload videos even when you may not feel like it. It's a bright spot in our day for sure, especially mine lately. I am also medicated and feel it's necessary at the moment, but I hope to some day not rely on it. Your video gave me hope for that, that while I need it now, there may be a day where I won't. 🖤🖤 thank you for being you, (and also teaching me how to properly fill in my brows!)
Thank you for being so brave and sharing! The stigma and negativity around mental health is just crazy and makes it so hard to be open with how you actually feel. When 50% of the population of Australian adults has dealt with a mental health issue how can it just be brushed under the rug. ❤️
thank you so much for sharing this and i identify so much with things you shared (especially all the time & energy it takes to do everything-it's exhausting). i am sorry nasty people feel the need to comment negatively but there are so many of us who listen and feel less alone in the darkness of our mental health issues! take great care!
Mental Health really is a lot to juggle isn't it? I feel so lucky i had such a long period feeling good on meds and really think it gave me time to pick up some self care and other coping techniques to even be able to try going without. Thank you for the sweet comment
I suffer from so many of the same things you mentioned. Especially the lack of focus and racing thoughts. I feel like the only thing that's ever worked for me was dancing (Zumba to be specific). It made my mental sharpness so so much better and I could think so much clearer. I've been out of it for a while and I've noticed how much I've declined mentally. So I definitely recommend taking a Zumba class at least once! 💕💕💕
Hi Rhian, thank you for this video. I have similar health problems as you. I have been on Zoloft for years. And although the medication worked very well for me I decided to stop using it (with my doctor) because I wanted to proof to myself that I could function without it. I recognize all the stuff you mentioned: lack of focus and productivity, always being very sensitive and on the verge of crying, mood swing/manic episodes. It's hard. I feel very alone because I have no real friends besides my husband. My biggest friend is my cat of 21 years old and I start to cry when I realize I will loose him in the near future. Maybe I will start with my medication again, I haven't made up my mind up yet. But I don't want to struggle the rest of my life. I hope you can make it work for you. You are very brave and you are a fighter, be proud of that.
I have so much respect for you for this. Not only for publicising such raw emotion, but for making the decision to come off of medication in the first place. So incredibly brave ❤️ When I'm struggling, I also try to consider that although being a slightly more sensitive person sometimes feels like a complete hindrance, that it also is the very reason you are the beautiful soul that you are! It seems that you have very high expectations of yourself - I hope you're able to also remember how wonderful you are even while in a lower place you'd prefer not to be in. I think more and more highly of you with every video you post ❤️
Thank you Jess, this was really helpful to me, especially regarding the high expectations. I definitely don't give myself enough time on occasion but i also think i'm a bit more flippant with myself because this has been something i've dealt with for as long as i can remember. Any way, thanks so much and i'm so glad you enjoy my videos
Rhian HY ❤️ it's all a learning curve right? I think it's pretty difficult to have to readjust when you're usually so in tune with yourself and can come as a bit of a shock. Hopefully things get a little easier for you in the near future Rhian, sending all the love your way ❤️
Ryan, this may be kind of weird and unnecessary but I wanted to thank you for sharing this, I entered med school at 17 but I had depression for years, at 18 I started having sort of maniac episodes, started medication, dropped out of school to took care of my health and came back to school, faced my failed courses and now I am a regular student, my friends are like a year from graduating but because of me working on those courses and some faculty administration changes now I am back on second year (I’m 4 years away from graduating). I watched a couple of your mental health videos and from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU SO MUCH! I can relate and stop punishing myself from time to time for all this. I’m so sorry for your dog, I hope you smile when you remember him/her. I’m vegetarian, but in Mexico we don’t have a lot of variety in vegan food. I know it’s not an excuse but I wanted to let you know that I love watching your food haha. Stay Okay (I’m referencing one of your videos) :D
Rhian I am really moved by your honest sharing about your inner life, I know myself how hard it is to open up to share and to see how many humans feel often the same way. To feel this connection from heart to heart is uplifting by itself already. I wish you all the best from my heart and I hope you will feel and see more and more that you are fine from top to bottom as you are, with all sadness and all joy, and you do not need to judge yourself or get jugged from anyone. After a long struggle I see that weakness and sadness are the tunnel which made me to get to know myself better and finally come out of it more and more. I see that I can be both, sad and joyful at the same time, I am allowed to feel both. All facets of my being are more and more allowed to just be - and since then I am becoming "hole" again. Don't know if I could describe well what I am trying to say. But I really appreciate everyone who is giving himself as a present to all humans with a video like you did, and all the wonderful moving comments everyone left :-)big hug
This really resonated with me, Angela. I think i've always known the darkness will be with me (that sounds dramatic but i think you know what i mean) and although i have been "okay" with that, its always something you wish and hope you might overcome but you're so right... you can be both and it can be okay if you can retain some balance.
Thank you for your replay, I really know what you mean by this, and you are right that balance is the thing we should look for. What I wanted to say too is that trying so hard to get rid of the dark feelings, sadness and inner judgements and to judge myself for not finally getting normal or right - not fitting into the society if I would be fully authentic- makes everything even worse. If I am able to embrace myself for my sensitivity, if I can accept that I am the one who decides how I experience or how I look at myself and the world I find more freedom and some more peaceful moments :-). I love that you share this with us all and I really believe in making a big change in being authentic and open to each other... so every one is "not normal" so no one has to try so hard :-D
Thank you for being you☺️watching this has shown me that I'm not crazy I suffer from social anxiety and mild depression it can get hard just started being medicated had helped me but at the same time I do worry about when the time comes how it's gonna be to get off the meds,this made me hopeful even with the bad that comes
Rhian, you are strong and resilient. I think people don't really know what mental health issues are until they have someone close to them being affected. When one of my closest friends told me she was being medicated and that the medicine wasn't always working, I felt lost due to not knowing what to do to help her through her more-than-horrible days. Thank you for making this video.
Getting off the meds is brutal and takes bravery. It's a process. I find that spiritual techniques like grounding, centering and meditating helped me a lot. People who leave nasty comments just have no idea what mental illness really is and how it feels. It is pretty crippling in all aspects of life regardless of what you do or have. Thank you for sharing BetterHelp and your story! xoxoxo
It definitely felt brutal, you're right! I also think even once you're on 0 dose, theres still such a lot to go through withdrawal-wise and can take a really long time for some. Thank you and i hope you're feeling good
Thank you so much for this video. You are strong and I look up to you. I lost my dad just before starting grad school at the same time I had to move and live alone. Watching your videos has helped me get through this immensely
Thank you for this video, lovely. I did have a little cry just watching you. You're so brave and kind for sharing your experience. I did have a betterhelp account a while ago but unfortunately I can't afford the full experience so I explained this to my counselor and we just made the most of the free trial and she gave me some great advice. Just having a week with someone to talk things through and make the first steps to dealing with what was going on was really helpful, she didn't try to push the subscription on me and gave me a few exercises to do once the week was over. I'm so glad that they're supporting you and this video it's much needed, especially from a gem like you :) x x
I relate to every bit of this so hard. This was incredibly helpful for me. Your descriptions of complex subjects comes across so eloquently. And it's very obvious that you are are genuine in all you say and do. Thank you for all of your mental health videos. This particular one, for me, contained the perfect words said at a much needed time.
Thank you Vanessa! So happy to help in any small way, it can be such an isolating thing to deal with but SO many people are dealing with similar things (just look at all these comments) so i definitely think its been worth it for me to share my stuff. Wishing you all the best and hope you feel good today
Sounds like you know exactly where you are and what your needs are. Sometimes talking about our feeling make things easier. Thank-you for being open and sharing.
Thank you for sharing your story, really needed this to be honest. Been in a pit lately, my depression & anxiety has peaked lately & i know its coz i've neglected my self-care. Watching this made me realise how important it is & that i have neglected myself. Thank you again Rhian xXx
Rhian, it takes courage to make a video like this. I just happen to be weaning off of an antidepressant and am experiencing several withdrawal effects you describe. Aside from stomach/gut discomfort the hardest thing is feeling that my brain is not working properly. I've made several mistakes paying bills, something I have done for years without any problem. Now I can spend hours trying to figure things out and it honestly can make you feel like your losing your mind. I've been fortunate to have support and found your video uplifting. Just knowing that you are not alone is something that has a very big impact. So thank you for being willing to share. Many people will be helped by your honesty.
I know that exact feeling of your brain letting you down Kim! Its so hard and can truly feel like you're losing your mind like you said. I think all you can do is check in with your self and don't suffer unnecessarily if you do need some help. So glad you have good support
Rhian HY As long as you feel comfortable sharing your experience, keep on keepin on! Any criticism you receive has nothing to do with you. It's an inadequacy in the person doing the criticizing. That is something that's taken a long time for me to learn! Once I finally learned that I gained my freedom to be me!
Laughter is so excellent for healing all manner of things. I find that approaching my own panic attacks with humour and laughter makes it easier and makes me feel less horrid after. That it was just a false alarm and that's that!
Thank you for making yourself vulnerable. Your story when you originally posted encouraged me to be more aggressive about getting me some help. I relate to your story so much. Thank you for not making us feel alone in our struggles.
Ignore those negative people! We love you! And keep these type of videos coming....definitely a big help. I've felt alone at times. My dad passed away a few years ago but I feel like it's gonna take me a long time to not cry when his bday comes around or Father's Day comes, it's hard. My family kind of sticks to their own thing and I think this is another reason why I feel alone. Random times I'll listen to a song that just reminds me of my dad and I'll start to cry. I feel like my mom expects so much from me, along with everyone else but no one stops to ask how I'm doing. I'm not even happy to go to work anymore. Rant over thank you. 😅
Thank you for sharing, I think it's so important to talk about mental health and normalize mental illness! I have suffered from anxiety, depression and ADHD all of my life and I am just now deciding to try anti-depressants. It's hard because I have huge goals for myself yet I'm constantly exhausted or distracted or anxious and it makes doing as well in school as I need to be doing to reach my goals really difficult. I'm talking with my psychiatrist now about getting back on ADHD meds even though I swore I never would :/. Also, I can totally relate to your dogs helping your mental health. I have an emotional support dog and I foster dogs and they bring so much joy to my life and make me feel so productive. I hope we get to hear the story behind your two new babies soon!
I used to follow you years ago but somehow lost you and forgot your name. So glad I found you again. I’ve been binging the last 3 days. I just weaned off Wellbutrin. Life isn’t easy but it sure is beautiful. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for being so strong and such a light in an often dark world. I wish I could give your video a million thumbs ups, just to show what a difference you've made in at least *one* person's life today. xo
Also, thank you so much for sharing your story. I have suffered with panic/anxiety/depression since age 14 and it always makes me feel not so alone when I hear others stories. Thank you for being vulnerable ❤️
Rhian, Thank you for putting yourself out there and talking about your struggle. Take care of yourself and take as much time as you need. I do believe that everything happens for a reason, and as I listened to you today you have no idea how much you helped me. Thank you for being brave and transparent. 💗 Oh and I have started watching your channel just a couple months ago and I love it! Girl I'm finally learning how to take care of my skin!!
Thanks for sharing! This not only helps me but also helps so that I can be helpful to friends and family. It almost makes mental health issues better to understand when you hear it from a completely different source. I love your channel so so much! Sending good thoughts your way :)
love this video and love you for sharing your journey so openly with us. I had it in my head to quit antidepressants last year and I didn't do it right, didn't consult my doctor, didn't taper etc. not a great idea, and it's so good to hear actual advice on stuff like this.
Rhian, awesome video. First I'd like to say that you should keep in mind going off birth control alone is a huge mental adjustment! So PLEASE, take everyday as it comes. If you eat shitty one day, but you went for a nice walk -then so be it. If you do all of the above or none one day than that is just that. I too have used antidepressants since a young age, I am now 36 and had finally after many years of obstacles came to the realisation that it was mostly hormone induced ( I do wonder how much it is for many other woman who struggle emotionally as well) So I just had been recently taking Prozac for half month ( they do actually prescribe it that way for PMDD) I had been using birth control to curb my moods and battling that monster eventually became tiresome so I opted for the half month Prozac and it worked wonders! Then 10 weeks ago I became pregnant, so, now I am taking nothing and dealing each day at a time. My point to you is you are officially RAW for the first time in a long time. Give yourself the time you deserve to sort it all out , and remember the birth control part is HUGE in its own right. Hormones are a forever battle for some women , wether or not this is the case with you - it's always good to go RAW once in a while just to see.... You're a fine young woman and I think you will always make wise decisions. Day at a time, Doll. Xx 😘 and ps, fuck the trolls 🙇🏻♀️you owe not one explanation to those who dish out gross negativity.
Hello! I had a therapist recommend 5-HTP, it's a natural precursor to serotonin. It makes a huge difference to me. It is not recommend for people already on medication because too much serotonin is a bad thing.
Gosh I love you. You're an inspiring woman Rhian and your honesty and openness when talking about mental health feels very heartfelt and is really appreciated. much love and light xx
Thank you for helping me along my vegan journey as well as feel okay sharing my mental health with those that I love. You make me feel stronger. Thank you again.
I'm surprised that you tapered so quickly. Every time that I taper, we go down 1/4 dose for 30 days (75%, 50%, 25%, 0%). To be fully off of the meds, it would take at least 90 days. If you feel like you're having any withdrawal, talk to your Dr and they can help to make an increase to take every other day or so to help. That's awfully quick, but I understand your desire to not want to be on meds and then possibly conceive. I'm very sorry to hear about Balthazar's passing. That's extremely difficult to get through. Our pets are like our children. We love and care for them each and every day. Their absence is deafening. Love that you take the time to look after your mental health and always try to be the best version of yourself. Great video.
I'm really appreciative of you sharing your insight and experiences. I've been diagnosed and medicated for about 8 years now and I often think about living a life without medication. On it I still get anxious and depressed and there's no one thing that will improve your whole mood. I hope going vegan and trying to eat healthy will help too. I started tearing up a little when you said to reach out because my mom has come over many times to sleep over with me. Anyway stay strong and know that we are all out here experiencing our own journeys and wishing you well. 🌸
I'm wishing you the absolute best Justine! It really sounds like you're probably leaps and bounds stronger than you realize, being able to reach out to your mom is huge and some people feel too isolated to even know how to ask for help
Sending love from NYC Rhian! You are such a brave soul for sharing your story. This video helps me understand people with mental health issues that are not as open with it so thank you 😊
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I also want to try to come off of my anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication at some point. But I'm so nervous about it. Hearing you talk about your experience gives me hope that one day I might be able to function without my medication. Sending you lots of love! ❤️
Thank you so much for this video Rhian 🖤 You are such a strong person for having this series, it has been so helpful for me. I came off Cipralex and I experienced very similar symptoms, especially the nervous system ones. I definitely want to check out BetterHelp because I have found that my mental health has decreased. Anyway! Your videos are always wonderful but this series of videos always are extra special
I think this video is amazing. I think everything you said and expressed was so tactful, gentle & appropriately expressed. I think this is going to be so very beneficial for so many individuals. We all know people that have their own struggles, family, friends, significant others, or ourselves. Thank you for being so open and candid in this. There is so much good we can all take away from this. Even if it is just understanding more. Very well done. Thank you. Always wishing you the best.
I love that you are sharing this I'm hopes of being able to help someone. I can imagine it takes a lot of courage to open yourself up so much online, especially with how cruel and inconsiderate so many people can be. You seem so mature and level headed when speaking about these things. Much love!
Love ur video's! It got me out of bed to day, and guess what? I had a very productive day! That's on you!! ❤️💜💚 Thanks for being u and thanks for sharing your story with the rest of us! Much Love!
Thank you! I have been tapering off for 5 weeks now, this being week 6 have now ceased. I have experienced everything that you have mentioned to. It has been the most exhausting process. I have struggled to reach out to people though, so I have been keeping all this to myself. Thank You for your video it kinda makes me feel a little normal, good luck to you xx
Thats such a lot to struggle with by your self, i know how exhausting and isolated our brains can make us feel. Please do reach out to a friend if you're able to just so someone knows what you're going through
Thank you for doing thjs video Rhian. you will have helped so many people. You are such a great role model and I always look forwards to watching your videos. I hope things improve and become positive for you. Have a great week! xx
Thank you for this!!!!!!! Seriously. I think your reasoning for tapering off was very smart and maybe people don't realize how impactful coming off a medication can be when paired with a pregnancy. I came off Lexapro at 4 months pregnant, and the rest of my pregnancy was a whirlwind of mental health chaos. Ended up in the ER for suicidal thoughts, spent two nights in a psychiatric hospital, fought with my husband so intensely on an almost daily basis, cut off all my hair in a fit of self-destruction, ripped our Christmas tree down, and so on. It was bad. Now my baby is 3 months, I'm back on medication, and life is finally enjoyable and calm again. I wish I hadn't been so nonchalant and uninformed about stopping meds.
That sounds like such a huge undertaking but i'm so glad you got through it and back to a good place again, i hope you can still feel proud of yourself for going through that even though i'm sure at times it felt like you were failing! Congrats on your little one and congrats on getting through it
So great of you for doing videos on such important content and sharing your story. I completely agree, the stigma around mental health needs to be broken.
Girl I know everyone turns into a TH-cam doctor but hear me out. Look into the effects of probiotics with Lactobacillus Rhamnosus and Curcumin to help with anxiety and depression! It's changed my life. I couldn't stay on antidepressants any longer because it was ruining my sex drive and therefore my marriage. I still have to be quite mindful of how I'm feeling but it has helped immensely.
I'm not 100% sure I'm not vegan but I will look into it. All I know is I use the ones that have a good amount of lactobacillus rhamnosus because I read a study that said it significantly reduces cortisol levels. I will look into that though thanks!!
I'll definitely look into that, i've taken probiotics before but not sure it was that specific kind. Which brand do you take, if you don't mind me asking?
Rhian HY They are by the brand Natures Way. I'm sure there are better ones out there I'm just ballin on a budget. Here is a link to the article that referenced the study. The original study can be found on pubmed as well (although it was conducted pretty gruesomely 👎🏻 the results are astounding). There are also many studies on pubmed about circumin for depression as well!! Hope this helps! organicolivia.com/2016/10/12/study-shows-gut-bacteria-can-make-or-break-depression/
Thank you so much for sharing yourself in this video and the others you have made. Given how you have said you've been feeling, I really appreciate the time and energy you've put into making such a helpful video, not only for anyone who might want to come off meds, but generally for any one with mental health difficulties, you shared some great self care tips. You're so genuine and from the heart. Well done, keep hoping, screw the haters and wishing you health & happiness 💖👏🛀
You are so wonderful. This video is so important - Thankyou for being courageous and sharing your story. I hope you are doing well and still keeping up with your self care 💜
Thank you so much for sharing your journey. When I heard you were tapering off you Wellbutrin, I was so afraid for you because I take it as well and if I miss 1 or 2 days, my head feels terrible! I commend you in doing and sharing your story! 💜💜💜
Thank You for this video. For being so honest about your experience & feeling comfortable to be open with us. Also, I never knew anything like BetterHelp existed & it's certainly something I will be looking into. You continue to be a source of inspiration to me ❤
Thank you so much for watching it Cathy! It is a weird topic sometimes but i know its so important to share if you feel able to, to open up conversation! I really hope you love BetterHelp if you do decide to try it, anything that makes help more accessible is great in my book
everything you said here made so much sense from start to finish. i think you have definitely helped people by sharing. i would have used a smartphone counseling service back when i had terrible insomnia/anxiety/racing thoughts issues for sure.
I just wanted to thank you for not just this video but your whole series on mental health. I had been privately struggling with my mental health for years, and once I came across your channel I was able to put a name to my symptoms and reach out for help. To say the least you saved me. So thank you Rhian from the bottom of my heart.
Sydney, i'm so glad you were able to reach out for help and i'm so honored to have helped in any small, indirect way. Wishing you the very best going forward and so much love from me
So brave and eloquently explained. Great job and thank you!
love you for this. my mom just lost a 18 year old co worker at her job and the girl looked up to her as a second mom so it hit her pretty hard to hear she took her own life. she had a ton of mental illness issues and sadly just didnt have a mother of her own to support her and help her and rather treat her as a burden so it broke my heart. so thank you for being so open and honest with your viewers you are such a beautiful soul miss ❤️
Oh my gosh my heart aches for your mom and that girl right now.
I wish i knew what you say
honestly its just good to hear someone say "hey i have these issues and im not perfect" bc unfortunately we live in a world as such where everyone looks like this perfect person who lives a perfect life but reality is, some people arent. and its super refreshing to hear some reality.
Ashley f. Sorry to hear that I have experience of loss both brother's commit suicide my youngest brother died when I was young 10 years old.
Thank you for making this video! The more we all talk about mental health, the better.
Severe Ocd/depression for both my son's since middle school. A slow taper is the best piece of advice anyone can give someone thinking about coming off psychiatric meds. Exercise is great, however depression usually comes with extreme fatigue so it can be very difficult to exercise. Having a good support system is key. So key. Getting out in nature is very important. Mindfulness is also so important. After dealing with the psychiatric community for over the past 20 yrs, I now realize that most psychiatrists are very good at doling out drugs but are clueless, and even unwilling at times, to help patients do a taper. Their tapering schedules are often too rapid for many patients. Finding a good therapist is very important however many people are unable to afford routine sessions. All therapists are not created equal. So sorry for your struggles.
Thank you for sharing your story & making this video with the sponsor because I didn't know that was available🙏😇
Thank YOU for watching it and giving your feedback. Its a great service!!
This is very informative. I personally do not suffer from any mental health problems but I have a lot of close people that do. When they come to me for support it's hard to understand what they are going through. Especially when they can't express themselves. Thank you for sharing this.
I can relate SO much to this video. I don't take any sort of medication, I've never been diagnosed with any sort of specific mental illness, BUT I for sure know I am dealing with something because I do have super low points where I have absolutely no motivation, I also have days where a typical 8 hour day at work doesn't take me 12 hours to accomplish. It's so frustrating to be self-aware and realize that you normally could do more, but you actually just can't in that time. Thank you for being open and talking about this, and I'm so glad that you are sponsored for this video because TH-cam apparently doesn't want to monetize anything to do with mental health =/
Thank you so much for sharing this, for sticking your neck out despite the stupidity people may spew at you, and for providing much needed visibility for a serious issue that is far too often swept under the rug. I'm so glad you feel like you're on the right road and wish you all the absolute best in meeting your goals!! I sincerely hope you feel like you can continue to share your story with us. I would also just like to say...please have mercy on yourself for being devastated by your dog's passing. You are allowed to mourn, to feel low, to be filled with sadness, and you are allowed for that to last a long time. Loss is trauma. It is perfectly acceptable to be knocked off your feet by it - whether you have a tendency to be depressive or not. Hitting a low point after experiencing the loss of a loved one is NOT a failure. I have been there so many times, with pets and people. Don't ever feel bad for mourning. It hurts because they were important to you. Eventually the weight of their passing becomes a comforting presence, but the sadness is IMPORTANT. Don't fall in to the happiness trap. It's not your job to be happy and even and "up" all the time. You are newly un-medicated- your feelings, the good and the bad, are new to you. Experiencing *any* of them with recognition is a triumph. You didn't have a setback, you had a breakthrough. It's hard and it's ugly and it's awful, but it was not a failure. Forgive yourself. ::hugs::
It's weird that I have no idea who you even are but you just said basically the exact thing I needed to hear.
Thank you. Seriously.
I'm so glad it was helpful!! You seemed so disappointed in yourself for choking up about it, and I felt so sad - you're already in mourning, there is no need to add guilt on top of it. The entire range of human emotion is important. Sadness, mourning, loss, they are there for a reason. Your dog was very important to you, it does your relationship justice to experience the pain of the physical loss. That being said - I KNOW it fucking hurts. It's NOT fun. It's one of the worst things I've ever gone through and I wouldn't wish it on anyone, but I cannot imagine going through all that and *also* being worried that my sadness might constitute a failure of some sort. It just isn't true. That sadness is all yours, woman. Cry and cry and cry. It's damned ok. You will come out the other side, I promise. And if you do end up feeling like it's going on too long (months and months at the same intensity), or like it's snowballing and becoming too much for you to lift on your own, then you have your support system there, and you have the medication to get your brain out of the groove it may have carved for itself. Sometimes even just a couple weeks on a mild dose of something like diazepam is enough to jar people out of it. Talk to your doc - but again, a couple months of mourning is normal, and fine, and awful, and good, and needful, and significant. ::hugs::
You're not alone.Sending love,light and positive vibes your way plus family.💕💕💕💕
Thank you Salomè!
Sending you some great vibes right back
Love you Rhian! These updates are so incredibly helpful. More so than you probably think. I love that you are opening the door and the conversation. It's important for us to be able to talk about how we are doing especially when we're not ok. I feel so connected with you! Keep doing what you're doing ❤️
Reading through these comments has definitely affirmed that this conversation is super important.
Thanks so much for being so sweet and i hope your day is beautiful
I'm so proud of you for sharing this.
I've dealt with anxiety and depression my whole life. It's so 'funny' to me the things that you described like when you know a wave has passed, or how strange the brain is about being depressed one minute and happy the next. I have days all the time like that where I'm so depressed I can't even move from my bed, but the instant I know the wave has passed I can feel it, and it's the best feeling in the world. Medication hasn't worked for me, but therapy has, and I have a great support system, just like you mentioned you do.
I appreciate you making this video, especially for the people who don't know a lot about mental health or how and what to do about it. Love you and your channel, stay strong. ❤
You are brave for sharing your experience. Don't pay attention to those who comment with mean or snarky remarks...they obviously have no clue. Stay brave and strong...keep putting one foot in front of the other as you walk along in your journey. Even if it takes you a little longer or you stumble once in awhile...your spirit is still trying to be brave and get you thru this time in your life...even if at times your brain is "in a fog" and can not see it right now. You obviously are a fighter. That's a good thing. I remember reading in one of your prior posts about how if you just do one thing a day to show some type of progress/motivation...that that was positive. It made me see things in a new light and also, that I wasn't alone in this world feeling lost and that I could not move...that there were others out there feeling the same way and that it wasn't just me. So you sharing your story does help. Wishing you only the best...with everything.
Thank you so much for this, these were beautiful words to read this morning!
I hope today and every day is great for you
From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for this video. This "sponsored" video is Life changing and to some can be life saving!
I have my own struggles, but will share the "have a baby" dilemma. Can you believe that came from the mouth of my primary care doctor when I really was struggling with physical symptoms in my early 30s! Needless to say, never went back to him, but was kind of the consensus, in a quiet way from a lot of people. I am a proud mom of a beautiful son who will turn 21 this year!
I will be sharing this video with many a person. There is a lot of suffering out there.
Many blessings, dear woman😘
Holding you up in prayer. I get you. my daughter has been struggling and is now under a doctor's care. I so appreciate you making these videos. it's really helped me to get a better understanding of how to best help my child...so thank you.
Thank you Rhian. I was on ssri for about 9 months due to some "slight" depression. It helped me then but I still keep cautious about myself as those downs do come back sometimes. I think there is never enough talking about mental health, people are often ashamed or confused about their feelings. But as you say Rhian we all need to look for someone, have a good spirit next to us. I am hopeful about you, Adam, your dog family. Be strong and proud of what you give to us. Thank you once again ❤️
This meant so much to me personally. As I am sure you know as well, Rhian, knowing someone else just gets you and understands without even the words sometimes helps you feel better. I experience that "lag" and loss of concentration and the lows and manic moments so often. It can be hard keeping yourself pushing through, but I try day to day.
I went through severe trauma from an abusive six year marriage five years ago (remarried now), and my family had taken him in and I had to go into hiding. It has been a process learning to move on and handle PSTD and severe anxiety in my daily life. I often talk down to myself about how I used to be so successful when I was still living in Australia. I just came out of a two year low where I didn't step outside the house more than a handful of times for two summers in a row except to get in the car to go get groceries. I recently started counseling again despite difficulties in trusting people and it has started to help me immensely. Sometimes it is just about finding the right person, so to your viewers, I think the most important thing is that they don't give up if the first person they end up going to just doesn't click with them.
Just... thank you so much for being such a genuine, authentic human being who is willing to share her story, no matter how difficult. I appreciate it so much and it has helped me greatly. Ever one of your mental health and self care videos reminds me I am not alone and that I can keep fighting, even when some days are exhausting or when I feel like giving up. And I hope you know that when you are also in those dark places that so many of your followers/viewers probably feel exactly the same as I do in how we care about you as well and we understand you and will support you as much as we can from afar when you need it.
Andreea, I am so sorry you are feeling that badly. ): Please know that you are not alone.
And in terms of physical symptoms, I get headaches quite often, but the main problems for me is tensing my shoulders, neck and jaw. During the hardships in my life I got so used to curling in a ball and feeling the need to protect myself that I would tense quite badly. Unfortunately, while my life is better now and I am not longer in harms way, my body's natural state is now tensed and balled up when in any state of even minor stress. I am working with a therapist and chiropractor to change my muscle memory, but it is slow going and might always be a hurdle. I have severe neck and shoulder pain daily that can often interfere with my daily routine and put me in a dark place. I feel like the best things I have found to help with these problems is a mix of yoga, meditation (the app "wildflowers" is great for this and teaches you breathing techniques through guided meditation), exercising when I can, making sure to get enough sunlight (vit. D helps a lot), getting enough water, getting a massage either from a loved one who booking one from time to time for some self care/pampering and occasionally using isolation chambers/float spas if/when I can afford them as an extra treat.
I hope some of those suggestions might help. I think the most important thing is to never give up trying new ways to help yourself which can hopefully lead to finding what really works best for you. And most of all, just knowing there are others out there who understand you and care, even if they have never met you. Be kind to yourself and take it slow.
Mental health issues is a big deal these days and it’s nice that people started talking about it. I got many clients who do sports in order to help them with mental health. I am glad that people openly admitting that they go through mental challenge. Speak out and there are people who will not only hear you but also will be willing to listen!
Love to all of you❤️💜🧡
Hello Rhian I recently subscribed to you after finishing a month of turning vegan after being vegetarian for a while. I just wanted to say how watching your videos has really inspired and helped me. Especially your topic of mental health as I have suffered with anxiety & depression all my life. It came to an explosive situation after Christmas. I ended up in hospital and am now taking medication which seems to be helping. Your videos are so honest and helpful and I enjoy learning all your vegan tips. Thank you so much x
I was also on meds for many years and it took me nine months to SLOWLY get off of them, I don't know how you did it in two-weeks. You are off them know, so keep moving forward with your self care habits... BIG hug for you and keep taking care of yourself you gorgeous girl!!!
This video couldn't have come at a better time for me. I have watched your mental health videos in the past just to help better understand what those around me go through and general curiosity but my boyfriend just revealed to me that he feels overwhelmed to the point of terror, his heart beats fast, he cries and experiences tunnel vision. His remedy for this is to just bury the feeling and it hit me that he never expresses things that are emotional. He's dealt with a lot in life, and his family never even asked how he was doing. He often lacks self confidence and goes silent when life gets stressful. Im trying to get him to talk to someone else other than me and BetterHelp seems like it would be a good fit for him. Im so proud of you for taking your mental health as seriously as you do and that you're gently coaxing and educating those that may need help to go at a slower pace, find someone qualified to help and remember to self care. I hope you are successful but patient going forward. You're brave and are so so appreciated. Love you girl XOXO
I really hope your boyfriend finds something that helps, its so hard when you're "in it" to realize how debilitating it is and how good life COULD be because you get good at just dealing with it.
Thank you for the sweet words, you are so lovely and your boyfriend is in good hands, i can tell
Thank you for making this. It's the only thing that's helped me today. I'm diagnosed as bipolar II and only started medication (Wellbutrin xl/Remeron/trileptal) in February after I attempted suicide. The last few weeks have been great, as if my mind was incapable of going back into the darkness. Today though, the walls crumbled and it flooded back in. I've been in bed all day snuggling my dogs and trying to fight it. I remembered I had saved this video in my watch later, so I just finished it and I feel a bit better now. Just listening to you talk always has a calming effect on me. I'm lucky I have a great support system too, but none of them can fully understand what it's like. So, thank you for existing and being such a lovely person. You've helped me in so many ways (veganism/beauty/mental health). 💜
Rhian, you have always been one of my favorite TH-camrs but whenever you post more personal videos like this one, they really remind me what a fantastic content creator and human being you are. I have been struggling horribly with my mental health lately, it has always been an issue for me for as long as I can remember but recently it has been at it's worst. I have been struggling with some very important decisions surrounding my mental health and although this video didn't help me to make said decisions it just showed me that I am not the only one struggling and that even though we struggle, it isn't the end of the world. I would never shame anyone for having mental health issues or for choosing to be on medication but for some reason I've always felt ashamed of myself for having Bipolar and being medicated. I always found it difficult to accept that I need help sometimes and that I have a disease. But some how you help me to be a little bit more accepting and a little bit kinder to myself. I love that you are such an advocate for self-care because it truly encourages me to be gentle with myself and to acknowledge when I need love and that it's okay to love myself. Be gentle with yourself as well, we appreciate everything you do and love seeing your videos and your posts but make sure you are taking things at a healthy pace. We are here waiting patiently. Thank you, truly.
Thank you for sharing your story. My sister introduced me to your channel almost a year ago and you are much of a bigger inspiration than a lot of major influencers out there. I know I'm not a day 1 fan but I want to be a loyal one by saying I respect and enjoy every content you post whether it's three times a week or once a week. I know how risky it is to put your life online and how scary it is to disappoint your fans but just know I will support you no matter what! Always make yourself a priority even if it means taking a hiatus. I have loved watching you grow. Love you and thank you for being you.
Love you Dana and i don't care which day you found me on
Fudge the haters! You are amazing! You've helped me so much.
By the end of 2015 and the first 6-8 months of 2016 I was struggling so much with anxiety and panic attacks and I didn't talk to anyone about it because I thought I was being "ungrateful". If it wouldn't have been for my best friend telling me that I clearly showed symptoms of depression I never would have paid that attention to my problems and I never would have looked at them the way I did.
Talking about it is such an important step and you're taking a bullet for so many people. You're helping so many out there just by talking about it. You inspire others and you help others to se that little light in the tunnel that my friend helped me see.
Keep up the good work! Love from Sweden 🇸🇪🇸🇪
I am so grateful that you shared this. I have been following your story for some time (as well as your other videos, which I LOVE). I have been experiencing something similar and have off and on for years. I have been diagnosed with various things throughout the years but my last doc said I had cyclothymia. I did medication years ago, but I found that exercise, diet, meditation and counseling made me feel the most stable. In the past year I've slowly given up all of these focuses...and it has affected me deeply. I have wonderful people around me, but I don't reach out to them often. The focus element you spoke about...I have major issues with that and constantly feel exhausted. This video has inspired me, you inspire me. I missed your videos while you were gone for a bit, but I'm glad you came back and shared your experience. Thank you for being vulnerable and for being a beautiful presence on youtube.
Also, I will def check out better help.
As someone who suffers from clinical anxiety, thank you so much for making this video! I love how open you are and really appreciate you! Stay strong ❤️
Great video and thank you for sharing! The comment "what do you have to be depressed about" is a daily struggle for me. I hope you continue to find balance.
I needed this right now! Thinking of getting off of MY anti-depressants, it was just perfect timing. Thank you so much for being so open with us always! You have always been so inspiring.
Wishing you the very best whatever you decide on
Hi Rhian, this is the very reason that I have been wanting to stop taking my anxiety meds. Thank you for sharing your personal experience - you are a strong and inspirational woman!! xx
Love you so much Rhian. Sending you all the very best for feeling like you've got your feet fully back under you again 💕 Mental health is so important and as someone who has suffered and is recovering it gives me a lot of hope that we're all talking about it more. Stigma and shame make it so much harder to get help and get well. Thank you so much for being such a genuine and brave ambassador for change 👑 ✨
The "you have a nice life you have nothing to be depressed about" is SO freaking frustrating and uninformed. It's like (and I think this was a tumblr quote but I'm using it anyway) telling someone with asthma there's no reason they can't breathe because there's plenty of oxygen in the room.
Andrew Solomon (who's TED talks are EXCELLENT) makes an fantastic point that lots of people with difficult life situations suffer from undiagnosed mental health issues because when your life is really hard, feeling down, hopeless and/or anxious seems normal so you might not seek or have access to treatment. People who have more fortunate circumstances often have cause to look around and think "why do I feel so horrible all the time, perhaps something is wrong" and be able to seek treatment. EVERYONE who is suffering deserves treatment and support.
You are such a warm, inspiring, kind, loving human and I am so grateful for everything you create (whether related to mental health or not). You're honest and open and I look forward to all your videos. Sending love from Bristol xx
Thank you Rhian for making this video that touched me so much and brought me to tears, not only because I feel in my bones what you are talking about. I suffered from panic attacks, dark thoughts and insomnia since I was 15 and going in contraception doesn't make it any better. But fighting is a daily thing for us, we live and we learn. And so, I learn so much from this video! I've been watching all your videos and commenting sporadically just so you don't stop making them and also let you know how much it helps! Thank you thank you thank you, and be strong, you now know more than you have at any other stage of your life! ❤🙏🏻
Thanks so much for sharing your experience, it's a really emotional thing to share and it takes guts to put that online. I still get choked up when I talk about my crisis point in life even though it was years ago. I don't know if those raw emotions ever go away we just learn to understand ourselves more and let that be part of what made us who we are. I feel like when you have gone down to the lowest valley you can reach out and show others there is light and hope. It's our vulnerability that connects us at a deeper level.
I experienced electric shock feelings after coming off anxiety and anti- depression meds. It was really scary. I still get anxiety and depressed states where I'm unproductive and just want to curl up under the covers for lack of spark. What I learned is that though your flame might be dim at times, it still burns and holds on. And the days will come when that flame burns bright, a glorious fire within - on those days you make it count. When the time comes to acknowledge the lows, be gentle and take the time to nurture that flame.
I think with the therapy, it's about finding someone you click with. My 4th therapist was amazing, I felt heard and seen. It's just like life, some people you'll vibe with others you won't. I had a fear for going to therapy and kind of gave up going to one until the last try.
Since you like walking your dogs, you could do agility / obstacle courses with them? Or put two cones down far away from each other and run to and fro with the doggies / use trees as points to run to? Running is always fun with a woof! Or cycle with them on a lead?
thank you so much for being so open and being such a big advocate for mental health awareness and care. i don't wanna get super depressing in this comment, but having recently lost a friend to suicide and suffering from depression/anxiety/PTSD myself, it's an issue close to my heart. i can tell that you are a strong woman and i am so glad that you share your life with us online! know that you are inspiring in many many ways
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend, Emily and also your own struggles. I wish i could give you a big hug!
You are such a sweet human and i hope today is a good one
thank you so much!! much love to you rhian :)
I wish I had seen this last week. I am officially on day four of my withdrawal from Effexor. The withdrawal symptoms at one quarter of a dose last week were simply awful. I am so happy I stumbled upon this video after watching your nail tutorial. You're authenticity is inspiring :) thank you
Thank you so much for sharing this. I have also struggled with generalized anxiety and depression my whole life. I was highly medicated as a child so I was very afraid to take medication. Welbutrin actually helped me a lot, but it was giving me bad dry mouth and I had to stop taking it. I have utilized therapy and it is great to know about this resource. I am sure that this took a lot of courage and strength to speak up since there is such a stigma about mental illness. It is eye opening, even for someone who has a mental illness, to see someone who looks like they have it all also struggling. And I don't say it in the way nasty viewers were saying it. I'm just saying that it shows you that even though some people seem to have great lives and are very put together can also be struggling. Mental illness isn't something that you can choose. And I think that those viewers really miss the point of that or have never struggled. You are right that one of the most important things is to have a good support system. When I was struggling a lot I reached out to my partner and my friends for support. It was hard to open up but my friends are great and are very receptive. It is hard being in a relationship when you have a mental illness because you don't want your mental illness to drive your partner away. You may worry that they will leave because sometimes it seems like too much. But it seems like you also found a great partner who supports you and reassures you that even in your darkest times that they will be there and help. That is a great and powerful thing. I wish you the best in your journey to better mental health and I hope that you find the balance you are looking for. All the best to you! Thank you for making this video and all your videos. I'm a big fan.
Rhian, my best friend and I love watching your videos! We both struggle with different issues, but think it's awesome that you push through and still upload videos even when you may not feel like it. It's a bright spot in our day for sure, especially mine lately. I am also medicated and feel it's necessary at the moment, but I hope to some day not rely on it. Your video gave me hope for that, that while I need it now, there may be a day where I won't. 🖤🖤 thank you for being you, (and also teaching me how to properly fill in my brows!)
Thank you for being so brave and sharing! The stigma and negativity around mental health is just crazy and makes it so hard to be open with how you actually feel. When 50% of the population of Australian adults has dealt with a mental health issue how can it just be brushed under the rug. ❤️
thank you so much for sharing this and i identify so much with things you shared (especially all the time & energy it takes to do everything-it's exhausting). i am sorry nasty people feel the need to comment negatively but there are so many of us who listen and feel less alone in the darkness of our mental health issues! take great care!
Mental Health really is a lot to juggle isn't it? I feel so lucky i had such a long period feeling good on meds and really think it gave me time to pick up some self care and other coping techniques to even be able to try going without.
Thank you for the sweet comment
I suffer from so many of the same things you mentioned. Especially the lack of focus and racing thoughts. I feel like the only thing that's ever worked for me was dancing (Zumba to be specific). It made my mental sharpness so so much better and I could think so much clearer. I've been out of it for a while and I've noticed how much I've declined mentally. So I definitely recommend taking a Zumba class at least once! 💕💕💕
Hi Rhian, thank you for this video. I have similar health problems as you. I have been on Zoloft for years. And although the medication worked very well for me I decided to stop using it (with my doctor) because I wanted to proof to myself that I could function without it. I recognize all the stuff you mentioned: lack of focus and productivity, always being very sensitive and on the verge of crying, mood swing/manic episodes. It's hard. I feel very alone because I have no real friends besides my husband. My biggest friend is my cat of 21 years old and I start to cry when I realize I will loose him in the near future. Maybe I will start with my medication again, I haven't made up my mind up yet. But I don't want to struggle the rest of my life. I hope you can make it work for you. You are very brave and you are a fighter, be proud of that.
I have so much respect for you for this. Not only for publicising such raw emotion, but for making the decision to come off of medication in the first place. So incredibly brave ❤️
When I'm struggling, I also try to consider that although being a slightly more sensitive person sometimes feels like a complete hindrance, that it also is the very reason you are the beautiful soul that you are!
It seems that you have very high expectations of yourself - I hope you're able to also remember how wonderful you are even while in a lower place you'd prefer not to be in.
I think more and more highly of you with every video you post ❤️
Thank you Jess, this was really helpful to me, especially regarding the high expectations. I definitely don't give myself enough time on occasion but i also think i'm a bit more flippant with myself because this has been something i've dealt with for as long as i can remember.
Any way, thanks so much and i'm so glad you enjoy my videos
Rhian HY ❤️ it's all a learning curve right?
I think it's pretty difficult to have to readjust when you're usually so in tune with yourself and can come as a bit of a shock.
Hopefully things get a little easier for you in the near future Rhian, sending all the love your way ❤️
Ryan, this may be kind of weird and unnecessary but I wanted to thank you for sharing this, I entered med school at 17 but I had depression for years, at 18 I started having sort of maniac episodes, started medication, dropped out of school to took care of my health and came back to school, faced my failed courses and now I am a regular student, my friends are like a year from graduating but because of me working on those courses and some faculty administration changes now I am back on second year (I’m 4 years away from graduating). I watched a couple of your mental health videos and from the bottom of my heart THANK YOU SO MUCH! I can relate and stop punishing myself from time to time for all this. I’m so sorry for your dog, I hope you smile when you remember him/her. I’m vegetarian, but in Mexico we don’t have a lot of variety in vegan food. I know it’s not an excuse but I wanted to let you know that I love watching your food haha. Stay Okay (I’m referencing one of your videos) :D
Rhian I am really moved by your honest sharing about your inner life, I know myself how hard it is to open up to share and to see how many humans feel often the same way. To feel this connection from heart to heart is uplifting by itself already. I wish you all the best from my heart and I hope you will feel and see more and more that you are fine from top to bottom as you are, with all sadness and all joy, and you do not need to judge yourself or get jugged from anyone. After a long struggle I see that weakness and sadness are the tunnel which made me to get to know myself better and finally come out of it more and more. I see that I can be both, sad and joyful at the same time, I am allowed to feel both. All facets of my being are more and more allowed to just be - and since then I am becoming "hole" again. Don't know if I could describe well what I am trying to say. But I really appreciate everyone who is giving himself as a present to all humans with a video like you did, and all the wonderful moving comments everyone left :-)big hug
This really resonated with me, Angela. I think i've always known the darkness will be with me (that sounds dramatic but i think you know what i mean) and although i have been "okay" with that, its always something you wish and hope you might overcome but you're so right... you can be both and it can be okay if you can retain some balance.
Thank you for your replay, I really know what you mean by this, and you are right that balance is the thing we should look for. What I wanted to say too is that trying so hard to get rid of the dark feelings, sadness and inner judgements and to judge myself for not finally getting normal or right - not fitting into the society if I would be fully authentic- makes everything even worse. If I am able to embrace myself for my sensitivity, if I can accept that I am the one who decides how I experience or how I look at myself and the world I find more freedom and some more peaceful moments :-). I love that you share this with us all and I really believe in making a big change in being authentic and open to each other... so every one is "not normal" so no one has to try so hard :-D
Thank you for being you☺️watching this has shown me that I'm not crazy I suffer from social anxiety and mild depression it can get hard just started being medicated had helped me but at the same time I do worry about when the time comes how it's gonna be to get off the meds,this made me hopeful even with the bad that comes
Rhian, you are strong and resilient. I think people don't really know what mental health issues are until they have someone close to them being affected. When one of my closest friends told me she was being medicated and that the medicine wasn't always working, I felt lost due to not knowing what to do to help her through her more-than-horrible days. Thank you for making this video.
Thank you Fernanda
Getting off the meds is brutal and takes bravery. It's a process. I find that spiritual techniques like grounding, centering and meditating helped me a lot.
People who leave nasty comments just have no idea what mental illness really is and how it feels. It is pretty crippling in all aspects of life regardless of what you do or have.
Thank you for sharing BetterHelp and your story! xoxoxo
It definitely felt brutal, you're right! I also think even once you're on 0 dose, theres still such a lot to go through withdrawal-wise and can take a really long time for some.
Thank you and i hope you're feeling good
Thank you so much for this video. You are strong and I look up to you. I lost my dad just before starting grad school at the same time I had to move and live alone. Watching your videos has helped me get through this immensely
I'm so sorry to hear that Monica! I hope things get easier for you
Thank you for this video, lovely. I did have a little cry just watching you. You're so brave and kind for sharing your experience. I did have a betterhelp account a while ago but unfortunately I can't afford the full experience so I explained this to my counselor and we just made the most of the free trial and she gave me some great advice. Just having a week with someone to talk things through and make the first steps to dealing with what was going on was really helpful, she didn't try to push the subscription on me and gave me a few exercises to do once the week was over. I'm so glad that they're supporting you and this video it's much needed, especially from a gem like you :) x x
Thats amazing, i'm glad she was able to help you even in such a short time!
Hope your day is amazing
I relate to every bit of this so hard. This was incredibly helpful for me. Your descriptions of complex subjects comes across so eloquently. And it's very obvious that you are are genuine in all you say and do. Thank you for all of your mental health videos. This particular one, for me, contained the perfect words said at a much needed time.
Thank you Vanessa!
So happy to help in any small way, it can be such an isolating thing to deal with but SO many people are dealing with similar things (just look at all these comments) so i definitely think its been worth it for me to share my stuff.
Wishing you all the best and hope you feel good today
Sounds like you know exactly where you are and what your needs are. Sometimes talking about our feeling make things easier. Thank-you for being open and sharing.
Thank you for sharing your story, really needed this to be honest.
Been in a pit lately, my depression & anxiety has peaked lately & i know its coz i've neglected my self-care. Watching this made me realise how important it is & that i have neglected myself.
Thank you again Rhian
xXx
I hope you can get back to it, you're so deserving of feeling good
Rhian, it takes courage to make a video like this. I just happen to be weaning off of an antidepressant and am experiencing several withdrawal effects you describe. Aside from stomach/gut discomfort the hardest thing is feeling that my brain is not working properly. I've made several mistakes paying bills, something I have done for years without any problem. Now I can spend hours trying to figure things out and it honestly can make you feel like your losing your mind. I've been fortunate to have support and found your video uplifting. Just knowing that you are not alone is something that has a very big impact. So thank you for being willing to share. Many people will be helped by your honesty.
I know that exact feeling of your brain letting you down Kim! Its so hard and can truly feel like you're losing your mind like you said. I think all you can do is check in with your self and don't suffer unnecessarily if you do need some help. So glad you have good support
Rhian HY As long as you feel comfortable sharing your experience, keep on keepin on! Any criticism you receive has nothing to do with you. It's an inadequacy in the person doing the criticizing. That is something that's taken a long time for me to learn! Once I finally learned that I gained my freedom to be me!
Laughter is so excellent for healing all manner of things. I find that approaching my own panic attacks with humour and laughter makes it easier and makes me feel less horrid after. That it was just a false alarm and that's that!
Thank you for making yourself vulnerable. Your story when you originally posted encouraged me to be more aggressive about getting me some help. I relate to your story so much. Thank you for not making us feel alone in our struggles.
Ignore those negative people! We love you! And keep these type of videos coming....definitely a big help. I've felt alone at times. My dad passed away a few years ago but I feel like it's gonna take me a long time to not cry when his bday comes around or Father's Day comes, it's hard. My family kind of sticks to their own thing and I think this is another reason why I feel alone. Random times I'll listen to a song that just reminds me of my dad and I'll start to cry. I feel like my mom expects so much from me, along with everyone else but no one stops to ask how I'm doing. I'm not even happy to go to work anymore. Rant over thank you. 😅
Thank you for sharing, I think it's so important to talk about mental health and normalize mental illness! I have suffered from anxiety, depression and ADHD all of my life and I am just now deciding to try anti-depressants. It's hard because I have huge goals for myself yet I'm constantly exhausted or distracted or anxious and it makes doing as well in school as I need to be doing to reach my goals really difficult. I'm talking with my psychiatrist now about getting back on ADHD meds even though I swore I never would :/. Also, I can totally relate to your dogs helping your mental health. I have an emotional support dog and I foster dogs and they bring so much joy to my life and make me feel so productive. I hope we get to hear the story behind your two new babies soon!
I used to follow you years ago but somehow lost you and forgot your name. So glad I found you again. I’ve been binging the last 3 days. I just weaned off Wellbutrin. Life isn’t easy but it sure is beautiful. ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you for being so strong and such a light in an often dark world. I wish I could give your video a million thumbs ups, just to show what a difference you've made in at least *one* person's life today. xo
So happy BetterHelp sponsored you! I am a licensed therapist on that platform and strongly believe in what they are doing! 🌹
Also, thank you so much for sharing your story. I have suffered with panic/anxiety/depression since age 14 and it always makes me feel not so alone when I hear others stories. Thank you for being vulnerable ❤️
Thats amazing Kellie! Thank you for all that you do!
Rhian,
Thank you for putting yourself out there and talking about your struggle. Take care of yourself and take as much time as you need. I do believe that everything happens for a reason, and as I listened to you today you have no idea how much you helped me. Thank you for being brave and transparent. 💗
Oh and I have started watching your channel just a couple months ago and I love it! Girl I'm finally learning how to take care of my skin!!
Thank you so much for this! It really brightened my morning.
I'm so glad you found my channel
Thanks for sharing! This not only helps me but also helps so that I can be helpful to friends and family. It almost makes mental health issues better to understand when you hear it from a completely different source. I love your channel so so much! Sending good thoughts your way :)
love this video and love you for sharing your journey so openly with us. I had it in my head to quit antidepressants last year and I didn't do it right, didn't consult my doctor, didn't taper etc. not a great idea, and it's so good to hear actual advice on stuff like this.
Rhian, awesome video. First I'd like to say that you should keep in mind going off birth control alone is a huge mental adjustment! So PLEASE, take everyday as it comes. If you eat shitty one day, but you went for a nice walk -then so be it. If you do all of the above or none one day than that is just that. I too have used antidepressants since a young age, I am now 36 and had finally after many years of obstacles came to the realisation that it was mostly hormone induced ( I do wonder how much it is for many other woman who struggle emotionally as well) So I just had been recently taking Prozac for half month ( they do actually prescribe it that way for PMDD) I had been using birth control to curb my moods and battling that monster eventually became tiresome so I opted for the half month Prozac and it worked wonders! Then 10 weeks ago I became pregnant, so, now I am taking nothing and dealing each day at a time. My point to you is you are officially RAW for the first time in a long time. Give yourself the time you deserve to sort it all out , and remember the birth control part is HUGE in its own right. Hormones are a forever battle for some women , wether or not this is the case with you - it's always good to go RAW once in a while just to see.... You're a fine young woman and I think you will always make wise decisions. Day at a time, Doll. Xx 😘 and ps, fuck the trolls 🙇🏻♀️you owe not one explanation to those who dish out gross negativity.
Hello! I had a therapist recommend 5-HTP, it's a natural precursor to serotonin. It makes a huge difference to me. It is not recommend for people already on medication because too much serotonin is a bad thing.
Gosh I love you. You're an inspiring woman Rhian and your honesty and openness when talking about mental health feels very heartfelt and is really appreciated. much love and light xx
Thank you Bonnie, you always give me a boost
likewise beauty xx
Thank you for helping me along my vegan journey as well as feel okay sharing my mental health with those that I love. You make me feel stronger. Thank you again.
I'm so glad you feel up to sharing, its so important
I'm surprised that you tapered so quickly. Every time that I taper, we go down 1/4 dose for 30 days (75%, 50%, 25%, 0%). To be fully off of the meds, it would take at least 90 days. If you feel like you're having any withdrawal, talk to your Dr and they can help to make an increase to take every other day or so to help.
That's awfully quick, but I understand your desire to not want to be on meds and then possibly conceive.
I'm very sorry to hear about Balthazar's passing. That's extremely difficult to get through. Our pets are like our children. We love and care for them each and every day. Their absence is deafening.
Love that you take the time to look after your mental health and always try to be the best version of yourself. Great video.
I'm really appreciative of you sharing your insight and experiences. I've been diagnosed and medicated for about 8 years now and I often think about living a life without medication. On it I still get anxious and depressed and there's no one thing that will improve your whole mood. I hope going vegan and trying to eat healthy will help too. I started tearing up a little when you said to reach out because my mom has come over many times to sleep over with me. Anyway stay strong and know that we are all out here experiencing our own journeys and wishing you well. 🌸
I'm wishing you the absolute best Justine! It really sounds like you're probably leaps and bounds stronger than you realize, being able to reach out to your mom is huge and some people feel too isolated to even know how to ask for help
Sending love from NYC Rhian! You are such a brave soul for sharing your story. This video helps me understand people with mental health issues that are not as open with it so thank you 😊
Thanks Angie
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! I also want to try to come off of my anti-depressant and anti-anxiety medication at some point. But I'm so nervous about it. Hearing you talk about your experience gives me hope that one day I might be able to function without my medication. Sending you lots of love! ❤️
Your honesty is inspiring. I will look at tomorrow very differently now. Thank you for sharing this.
I hope today is great
Thank you so much for this video Rhian 🖤 You are such a strong person for having this series, it has been so helpful for me. I came off Cipralex and I experienced very similar symptoms, especially the nervous system ones. I definitely want to check out BetterHelp because I have found that my mental health has decreased. Anyway! Your videos are always wonderful but this series of videos always are extra special
I think this video is amazing. I think everything you said and expressed was so tactful, gentle & appropriately expressed. I think this is going to be so very beneficial for so many individuals. We all know people that have their own struggles, family, friends, significant others, or ourselves. Thank you for being so open and candid in this. There is so much good we can all take away from this. Even if it is just understanding more. Very well done. Thank you. Always wishing you the best.
*Hugs Rhian* I love your channel and it's so brave of you to share your story.
I've thanked you so many times but you're amazing and I can't even explain how incredibly comforting it has been to experience this along with you.
Thanks for sharing, Rhian. You aren't alone, and I hope your black cloud continues to lift away. xoxo
Thanks Ashley, you're so lovely!
I love that you are sharing this I'm hopes of being able to help someone. I can imagine it takes a lot of courage to open yourself up so much online, especially with how cruel and inconsiderate so many people can be. You seem so mature and level headed when speaking about these things. Much love!
Love ur video's! It got me out of bed to day, and guess what? I had a very productive day! That's on you!! ❤️💜💚
Thanks for being u and thanks for sharing your story with the rest of us! Much Love!
This video is awesome. Thank you for sharing your story. I've been sharing your video with friends who have mental health issues.
Thank you! I have been tapering off for 5 weeks now, this being week 6 have now ceased. I have experienced everything that you have mentioned to. It has been the most exhausting process. I have struggled to reach out to people though, so I have been keeping all this to myself. Thank You for your video it kinda makes me feel a little normal, good luck to you xx
Thats such a lot to struggle with by your self, i know how exhausting and isolated our brains can make us feel.
Please do reach out to a friend if you're able to just so someone knows what you're going through
Thank you for doing thjs video Rhian. you will have helped so many people. You are such a great role model and I always look forwards to watching your videos. I hope things improve and become positive for you. Have a great week! xx
Thank you for this!!!!!!! Seriously. I think your reasoning for tapering off was very smart and maybe people don't realize how impactful coming off a medication can be when paired with a pregnancy. I came off Lexapro at 4 months pregnant, and the rest of my pregnancy was a whirlwind of mental health chaos. Ended up in the ER for suicidal thoughts, spent two nights in a psychiatric hospital, fought with my husband so intensely on an almost daily basis, cut off all my hair in a fit of self-destruction, ripped our Christmas tree down, and so on. It was bad. Now my baby is 3 months, I'm back on medication, and life is finally enjoyable and calm again. I wish I hadn't been so nonchalant and uninformed about stopping meds.
That sounds like such a huge undertaking but i'm so glad you got through it and back to a good place again, i hope you can still feel proud of yourself for going through that even though i'm sure at times it felt like you were failing!
Congrats on your little one and congrats on getting through it
Thank you, love! Your channel and insta has helped inspire and support me, so please know that sharing your experiences has helped and I am thankful.
You are so strong for being open and talking about this. Thank you!
Thanks for watching
Love this video a friend committed suicide this past weekend and it breaks my heart that he suffered in silence, more people need to talk about it
I'm so sorry Suzanne! I can't imagine how hard that must be for you right now.
Wishing you all the best
Baby girl you so insightful and completely amazing to expose yourself in such a helpful way!!!!! Thank YOU Rhian!!!
Thank you for sharing this. You are amazing. Sorry you had to hear those comments from people who don't understand how depression works x
So great of you for doing videos on such important content and sharing your story. I completely agree, the stigma around mental health needs to be broken.
Girl I know everyone turns into a TH-cam doctor but hear me out. Look into the effects of probiotics with Lactobacillus Rhamnosus and Curcumin to help with anxiety and depression! It's changed my life. I couldn't stay on antidepressants any longer because it was ruining my sex drive and therefore my marriage. I still have to be quite mindful of how I'm feeling but it has helped immensely.
Taylor Syrett are those vegan probiotics? dairy probiotics are very unhealthy for the human body.
I'm not 100% sure I'm not vegan but I will look into it. All I know is I use the ones that have a good amount of lactobacillus rhamnosus because I read a study that said it significantly reduces cortisol levels. I will look into that though thanks!!
I just looked at my bottle and yes they are vegan. Had me a little worried for a second because I am gluten and dairy free for my adult acne.
I'll definitely look into that, i've taken probiotics before but not sure it was that specific kind. Which brand do you take, if you don't mind me asking?
Rhian HY They are by the brand Natures Way. I'm sure there are better ones out there I'm just ballin on a budget. Here is a link to the article that referenced the study. The original study can be found on pubmed as well (although it was conducted pretty gruesomely 👎🏻 the results are astounding). There are also many studies on pubmed about circumin for depression as well!! Hope this helps!
organicolivia.com/2016/10/12/study-shows-gut-bacteria-can-make-or-break-depression/
OMG.. look into your eyes makes me want to hug you. Inhope you get better and be ok!
Thanks Jessica!
Thanks for sharing this! And I'm so so sorry to hear about your pupper
hope you keep getting stronger & happier from here on out!! thanks for sharing
Thank you so much for sharing yourself in this video and the others you have made. Given how you have said you've been feeling, I really appreciate the time and energy you've put into making such a helpful video, not only for anyone who might want to come off meds, but generally for any one with mental health difficulties, you shared some great self care tips. You're so genuine and from the heart. Well done, keep hoping, screw the haters and wishing you health & happiness 💖👏🛀
You are so wonderful. This video is so important - Thankyou for being courageous and sharing your story. I hope you are doing well and still keeping up with your self care 💜
Thank you so much for sharing your journey. When I heard you were tapering off you Wellbutrin, I was so afraid for you because I take it as well and if I miss 1 or 2 days, my head feels terrible! I commend you in doing and sharing your story! 💜💜💜
Thank you for sharing, you are brave and an amazing woman. I'm sorry about your dog baby. Sending healing vibes 😘
Thank You for this video. For being so honest about your experience & feeling comfortable to be open with us. Also, I never knew anything like BetterHelp existed & it's certainly something I will be looking into. You continue to be a source of inspiration to me ❤
Thank you so much for watching it Cathy!
It is a weird topic sometimes but i know its so important to share if you feel able to, to open up conversation!
I really hope you love BetterHelp if you do decide to try it, anything that makes help more accessible is great in my book
everything you said here made so much sense from start to finish. i think you have definitely helped people by sharing. i would have used a smartphone counseling service back when i had terrible insomnia/anxiety/racing thoughts issues for sure.