Howdy folks! How are we all doing this morning? I can’t quite believe it’s Thursday already. The last ten days/two weeks have gone in the blink of an eye it feels. I’ve been weening myself off of my mental health medication, and it’s about two weeks since I took my last tablet. I did this because I felt I didn’t need the medication after that intensive run of cognitive behavioural therapy I did last year.

It’s very early days but I’m feeling better than I was, and can’t recall the last time I felt this settled. My focus is growing, as is my confidence in a number of areas. It’s very weird the effect coming off the sertraline is having on me. It helped when I needed it but I’m glad (at the moment) that I’ve come off it. I know things could change and I might need to go back on medication in the future, although I’m not sure sertraline is right for me. I know some people who it has been a game changer, and it did help me but I think it might not have been the best of medications for my needs.

I will say I haven’t just ditched it. I’ve wound my dosage down from 150mg a day, to 100mg, then 50mg and now nothing. I did speak to my GPs (general practitioner) pharmacist before starting the process.

The intrusive thoughts are still there, but instead of them shouting through stadium strength speakers, it’s more a mouse with a sore throat. On the other side of the room trying to evade a cat. When they do get through, it doesn’t really hit home like it used to.

This has been a journey for years for me, in trying to sort this tangle of spaghetti in my head. It’s not over, it never will be. I will have those bad days but CBT has given me the tools to tackle the problems I do have. It made me realise what my soul craves and what I want from life.

If you are struggle don’t be scared to speak to your doctor, or one of the mental health charities. Or a family member or friend. Or even books, podcasts, apps; there are lots of resources out there.

I know different countries have different ways of doing things but search out these services. Some of it’ll be hit, some will be a miss. I was lucky with my last therapist, we clicked really well and I’m sure we’d have been friends outside of therapy if we’d met another way.

Those voices, the ones who poke at the hatred we feel for ourselves, they disappear if they’re not fed. Take away their food. Know that you are more than your insecurities.