COUNSELING

I have been seeing a lot of people recently share their experiences with mental and emotional health issues. Notably for me this year were a local TV sports director from here in the Lehigh Valley, Dan Moscaritolo, and the drummer in my favorite rock band Breaking Benjamin, Shaun Foist. Well, I am a person who battles anxiety, depression at times, and Seasonal Affective Disorder. As a Type 1 diabetic, I see an endocrinologist four times annually. A few years ago, talking to one of my endos, I expressed my feelings to her that, despite the fact that my diabetes is very well-controlled, sometimes "diabetes sucks". She asked me if I wanted to talk to someone about it. I said sure, why not? Well, that was the beginning of my once-monthly counseling sessions. Sure, it started out being primarily about how diabetes affects EVERYTHING in my life and EVERYTHING in my life affects my diabetes. But it became so much more than that. I now talk to my counselor about everything and anything. It is so helpful. I am not at all embarrassed to tell people I see a counselor. In fact, I will tell anyone about it. I would encourage anyone who has any kind of emotional or mental health issues to TALK TO SOMEONE. If you have the resources, find a professional to talk to. If that is not possible, find a trusted family member or friend who will listen. I promise you, it will help you so much and change your life.