My mental health journey started way before it should have.
I was a very anxious and shy girl, and I never spoke to anyone unless I was comfortable with them. I realized my anxiety and depression at the age of five years old.
I also did not realize that my mom was Bipolar until her death. She exhibited multiple personalities, and it was a nightmare to live through. My only escapes were inside the pages of my books or within the Kentucky woods, where I created a different world.
I also found solace through Christianity and Jesus.
My only social outings were at church so any time those doors were open, I was there. I lived with my Mom and Dad until I was 28 and moved to NC to attend pharmacy school (Campbell University)
My anxiety and depression almost caused me to fail out of school.
If it were not for my friends, my husband (boyfriend at the time), and my relationship with Jesus Christ, I could have easily become a statistic.
I tried many medications for my anxiety, and nothing ever worked. I would try to self-medicate with alcohol or lock myself in my room. When I was depressed, I would barely go out or want to leave my bed.
I finally became a pharmacist, got married, and had a child. My daughter has debilitating anxiety, bipolar disorder, OCD, and Autism. It has been difficult to work full time and have a special needs child.
I felt like I was always failing as a mom, a wife, and an employee.
My first real suicidal moment came when I was 44 years old. My life came to its breaking point with my anxiety and depression. Thankfully, my best friend noticed my downward spiral and begged me to go to a Christian Women’s Conference.
It was there that I found my strength and my purpose.
It was almost like a rebirth.
I also found a great company called Plexus. They are a natural health company that is all about gut health. Gut health is so important in helping with serotonin production. This helps our mental health because the stomach is our second brain.
I was also dealing with skin infections that were causing lymphedema in my legs while working two jobs(teaching and working at Walgreens). My immune system tanked, and my anxiety and depression came back with full vengeance.
In April 2022, my skin infections came back, and as a result, I endured many hospital visits. It led to losing my job at the college and Walgreens.
I could not understand why God would save me only to leave me disabled.
I had almost lost my faith in God until one night I was reading a devotion from Craig Groeschel about brokenness.
It was at that moment that I realized I still had a purpose.
God is going to use my brokenness to show others that they can survive like I have.
I thought my life was over since I could no longer be the pharmacist I wanted to be for my patients.
Many times the enemy told me I wouldn’t make it, and I almost listened.
I found through this devotion that bad days are going to exist, but having the faith and strength to get through them with tools like my supplements, my relationship with Jesus, and my network of friends and family helps.
Oftentimes, we want to hide away and deal with our anxiety and depression alone.
Being alone causes the dark thoughts to invade.
My advice is to find your purpose.
My purpose is to help others know that the mountains can be moved.
I have now started to help others find mental and physical health through supplementation. Even though my body doesn’t work, my mind and heart can lift and encourage others.
Thank you so much Marcie for being so vulnerable and sharing your story! You are such an inspiration to myself and to so many fellow mental health worriors out there. Be sure to comment and share this post. Thank you for you support always warriors xoxo Please support and follow Marcie as well :) IG: https://www.instagram.com/drquinnpharmd/