Thread by @IEMcElroy

I am 31yo Black woman who holds a doctorate in medicine and a masters in public health.

I have a loving family filled with siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and a mother that are my support.

I also have PTSD, depression, and anxiety that left me in the ED this week.

/1

Most days my symptoms are well controlled and I am high functioning.

I have survived the first three years of a rigorous surgical training program, completed an MPH in one year, and lived through a generational pandemic that completely disrupted our way of life.

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I write these tweets to normalize the other side of my life that many of us hide from the world.

Yes, I am who I say I am on this app but I am also someone who struggles with the trauma I have experienced in life and when I don’t acknowledge it, I leave myself vulnerable.

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Vulnerable to flares that send me crying out in my sleep and pushing away loved ones when I need them most.

Flares that fill my brain with images of death and despair.

My PTSD, anxiety, depression don’t make me any less qualified to be a doctor nor do they define me.

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But society’s pressure that tells me to keep that side of me hidden because it makes me “less than” not only smothers my ability to grow and be open to treatment, it continues to kill bright minds around the world.

Mental health is health.

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While I never want to end up in the Psych ED again I also know that my friends did the right thing and brought me there.

I am not ashamed of who I am. I am messy and imperfect but I am me.

So to those who struggle silently I see you. I hope you find the help you need.

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To those who are judged and mistreated for something they can’t control. I see you and will never judge you for reacting to the battles you’ve been through.

To those doing the work to understand why or process the what, it’s not easy but we’re in this together.

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To the world - be gentle to each other, respect one another. Life is traumatic and no matter how easy it may look people all have their battles that they are fighting silently. Don’t be an unnecessary source of stress.

Be kind to one another.

/end