Mental Health: A Personal Journey Through the Hornet’s Nest
When we talk about mental health, it’s easy to get lost in the sea of terms, diagnoses, and experiences. The truth is, mental health is a hornet’s nest—complex, subjective, and deeply personal. Every one of us experiences it differently, and often, only we truly know what’s affecting our well-being.
This first Chronicle on mental health is about exploring what mental health means from both a subjective and an educated perspective. I’ve spent years trying to understand my own mental health, and I want to share what I’ve learned, in the hopes that it might resonate with you if you’re struggling too.
Mental Health Is More Than Just Depression
When we hear “mental health,” many of us think of depression, anxiety, or feeling low. We tend to lump it into a category of vague emotions. But mental health is so much broader than that. It’s not just about feeling sad or tired. For me, mental health encompasses a range of experiences, from depression to something I’ve only recently come to understand—Autism and ADHD.
I was diagnosed as being on the Autism/ADHD spectrum later in life, and that diagnosis was a breakthrough. It explained so much of my past struggles—trouble keeping jobs, difficulty communicating, feeling out of sync with the world. These challenges were constant roadblocks, and until I understood their root cause, I felt powerless.
But with this knowledge, I was able to take control of my life in ways I hadn’t thought possible. Mental health is not just in the head. It starts with the body.
Mental Health: It’s Not All in Your Head
For a long time, I believed that my mental health issues lived solely in my mind. I thought depression, stress, and anxiety just “existed” there, without much influence from the rest of my body. But I’ve learned that our mental well-being is often a reflection of what’s happening physically—imbalances in hormones, deficiencies in nutrients, and other bodily factors that directly affect how we think and feel.
The connection between the brain and the body is powerful, and ignoring one while trying to heal the other is like trying to build a house without a foundation. Your mental health is deeply intertwined with your physical health. And I wish I had understood that sooner.
My Journey of Self-Education
One thing that’s true for many people on the autism spectrum is that we tend to thrive in solitude. Being alone isn’t lonely—it’s comforting. For me, isolation provided the space to focus intensely on projects that fascinated me. Over the past decade, I’ve worked on countless projects, many of them centered around health and wellness, as I tried to educate myself on how to manage my mental health better.
I read books, watched documentaries, listened to podcasts, and followed experts in the field. I didn’t just want to treat the symptoms—I wanted to understand them. And through that process, I realized that mental health education is crucial for everyone.
That’s how this mental health Chronicle came to be—a platform where I can share the insights I’ve gathered from professionals and everyday people like you and me, all trying to navigate the complexities of mental well-being.
Where to Start: The Power of Knowledge
I believe knowledge is everything when it comes to improving mental health. There’s a wealth of information available, and we’re fortunate to live in a time where resources are at our fingertips. But with that comes the responsibility to discern what’s useful and what’s not.
To get started, I encourage you to explore content from knowledgeable individuals who have spent years gathering information. Thomas DeLauer and Eric Berg are two great resources. While neither of them are medical doctors, they offer incredible insights into health and well-being through their channels. Thomas DeLauer has a fascinating backstory and focuses on health, nutrition, and the science behind bodily functions, while Eric Berg simplifies health concepts on his whiteboard, making them easy to understand.
But here’s the key—be cautious. The internet is full of people who post for the sake of clicks, not because they have valuable or accurate information. Some even promote extreme or downright dangerous ideas. Always be critical, do your research, and seek out well-sourced, balanced perspectives. The goal is to empower yourself with knowledge that supports your mental and physical health, not overwhelm or mislead you.
The Takeaway: Be Informed, Be Empowered
Mental health is a journey, and like any journey, it has its ups and downs. The most important thing is to keep learning, keep questioning, and keep growing. Whether you’re dealing with depression, navigating a diagnosis like Autism or ADHD, or simply trying to maintain your mental well-being, the key is understanding that mental health is multifaceted—it’s not just in your head, but deeply connected to your body, your habits, and your environment.
So, take that first step. Gather your notes, listen to podcasts, watch insightful videos, and most importantly—be proactive about your mental health. Over the coming years, I hope these Chronicles provide you with tools and strategies to help you live a better, more balanced life.