Introduction to Mahevash Shaikh, Author of 'Work and Bipolar or Depression'

Hello, my name is Mahevash Shaikh and I am thrilled to join the Work and Bipolar or Depression blog at HealthyPlace. I was diagnosed with major depression in 2018 at the not-so-tender age of 27. But way before an official diagnosis, I always knew in my gut that I was suffering from this mental disorder. Gut feelings like these have a way of coming true, don’t they? Also, it was the only reasonable explanation for why I felt so inexplicably low at times. It was either that or teenage mood swings. Irrespective of the reason, I definitely did not buy into the theory that I was “being ungrateful.”

Mahevash Shaikh's Experience with Depression

I got my first episode of depression on my 13^th birthday followed by at least 10 episodes that only intensified over time. I learned to trivialize and ignore every single one of them because I was afraid to get the help I so desperately needed. Despite increased mental health awareness and advocacy in our world today, there’s still this huge mental health stigma about needing professional help for mental health issues. Heck, it isn’t considered a good thing to have mental health issues in the first place. It took a suicide attempt that compelled me to meet with a licensed therapist.

Today, with the help of cognitive behavioral therapy and a whole lot of medication, I have learned to figure out depression and want to help you do the same. As overwhelming as it is, depression can be overcome. With a few hacks and a whole lot of determination, you can go on to live a relatively normal life, even a full life. At the end of the day, no matter how debilitating it is, depression is only a part of you.

More About Mahevash Shaikh and the 'Work and Bipolar or Depression' Blog

Through my blog, I wish to help anyone suffering from depression at work to cope better and take back control of their professional lives. We've got this!