Diagnosis Doesn’t Define Dreams: Achieving Dreams with a Mental Health Condition

Sometimes a diagnosis can feel very limiting, that doesn't mean one has to place limits on themselves.

Receiving a diagnosis can come with a lot of “don’ts”. I’ve been counseled as follows: 

• Don’t neglect your sleep, you could trigger a manic episode 

• Don’t work too much, stress can exacerbate symptoms 

• Don’t stop your medications, you could relapse 

• Don’t drink, alcohol is a depressant 

• Don’t use marijuana, it can increase or decrease the effects of your medication 

• Don’t forget to chart your mood, we need the information to understand your cycles 

And the list could go on. While those “don’ts” are fine counsel, it’s not all the things I can’t do that keep me moving forward. At the risk of sounding contradictory, I’ll add one “don’t” that translates into many “dos”. 

• Don’t give up on your dreams 

Achieving dreams with a mental health condition is possible and worthwhile. Of the years that I’ve been actively managing my mental health I’ve had more providers on my team than I can count on my hands. Something frequently mentioned is management of stress levels. While managing stress is certainly key to recovery, it’s important for providers not to overemphasize this component of recovery to the point of placing unnecessary limits on individuals. Diagnosed at age 18, here are some things I was able to accomplish while managing my mental health: 

• Graduating with a dual degree from a “public ivy” in the United States and the top-ranked university in Scotland 

• Publishing and marketing my first book 

• Completing my master’s degree from a top-tier nursing program 

• Traveling around the globe to Scotland, Spain, New Zealand, Australia, and Mexico 

• Being selected as the keynote speaker at a suicide prevention walk 

• Giving the student address at my nursing school’s commencement ceremony 

I share these accomplishments not for the purpose of bragging but rather to share the fruits of significant efforts I’ve made to pursue my dreams with the same determination that I use to manage my recovery. These accomplishments are the pinnacle of much unseen effort. While chasing after these peak experiences I battled a lot, including: 

• Dissociative experiences necessity time off 

• Manic episodes requiring inpatient stays 

• Debilitating depression delaying coursework completion 

• A multitude of side effects that made it difficult to function 

Some on my team counseled restraint, asserting that working multiple jobs or working and going to school was too much for my diagnosed brain to handle. And yet, here I am, having made it through the tumult with degrees and life-changing experiences in hand. Being with myself 24/7 and playing an active role in my treatment has made me a little bit of an expert in myself. One thing I’ve learned from the process is that my symptoms can flair up with or without “stress”. Chasing bigger and better goals has proven more valuable than limiting myself in the name of managing stress levels. I have found that I’m most satisfied with life when I give time and effort to all aspects of myself, not just the elements that have been labelled “disordered”. Here’s to pursuing the life of my dreams, because a diagnosis does not dictate them to me. 

Takeaways 

While managing stress and allowing for rest are key elements of recovery, maintaining dedication to the dreams and goals that matter to you is equally as important.  All aspects of recovery play a role, don’t forget to nurture the parts that make you who you are.