Myasthenia Gravis and Mental Health: Finding Support When You Need It

Since 2020 and the world of COVID, I think it is safe to say a lot of people have become more in tune with their mental health. A lot of people struggled with mental health issues before COVID, and it was just the ultimate eye-opener.

However, mental health and carrying the weight of an autoimmune disease, specifically myasthenia gravis, is tremendous. Most of us bear the weight of family, children, work, day-to-day life, and ultimately just trying to be “strong”.

My experience with depression and MG

For me specifically, I was diagnosed with depression about 18 years ago, while my myasthenia gravis diagnosis came in about 9.5 years ago. I was already sort of seasoned with coping with daily depressive triggers, or how to trick my brain to be okay.

But then came the myasthenia gravis. It created a whole new world that I never expected. I was lost; I was beside myself, I didn’t think anyone cared or understood. I thought they would think I was lying about my symptoms, especially since they do fluctuate day to day, hour to hour, even minute by minute.

Due to not having insurance at the time, therapy was definitely not on the table and I was obviously unmedicated. I often found myself trapped in my head, not knowing what more I could do, or why this disease chose me!

As my MG got worse, my ability to work and manage everyday life became more difficult. I had to ultimately apply for disability, and after an extremely long battle, I was finally approved. YAYYYY FINALLY INSURANCE!

Getting mental health support alongside MG treatment

With the insurance, I was able to finally start getting the treatment and medications needed for myasthenia gravis. But I was also finally able to start talking to doctors who would listen when it came to my mental health. Thankfully, my PCP and neurologist both understood how hard it was to receive mental health treatment through a mental health professional. They worked with me and prescribed me an antidepressant.

Since I see my neurologist more frequently than I do my PCP, I keep her completely up to date on all of my mental health issues. She has worked with me, and if needed, she has changed the medication or changed the dose. She has been a true support person.

Finding a support system when others don't understand

The people who you expect to be in your support system aren’t always what is best. A lot of our friends, family, co-workers, and others in our lives may not ever be able to correlate the direct mental health impact this disease has on us.

That doesn't mean you have to face it alone.

But if there is something I want you to always remember, it's this: we have each other. Us snowflakes, we know the direct impact of the weight of the world on our shoulders, trying to continue and push through life. We understand what it's like to live with symptoms that other people can't always see or understand.

You can attend local support groups and if you don’t have one locally, check into support groups within your state! You would be surprised how many support groups allow and have virtual attendees.

You don't have to be "strong" all the time

Always remember this also, when you feel like you can’t take any more, or you can’t keep going…. YOU CAN! There is a reason you were put on this Earth! It may not be obvious; it may be obvious; you may never understand, or you may, and that’s okay. But you are here for a reason, and never ever forget it!