---
title: Coping with Depression and Anxiety
date: 2022-05-09T23:16:07-04:00
author: OBOS Admin
canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-coping-with-depression-and-anxiety"
section: "Stories & Conversations"
---
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[Stories & Conversations](/stories-conversations)# Coping with Depression and Anxiety

LL discusses her experience with depression and anxiety, which both run in her family. She notes that medication and acupuncture are her chosen treatments.

## Transcript

**OBOS Today:** You mentioned mental health before, so I wonder if you could talk about kind of your experience with mental health?

**LL:** Depression and anxiety both run in my family— more so depression. I think I might have tipped the anxiety scale \[*laughs*\] when I started having anxiety, but I've also learned recently and, and my brother doesn't really talk about it, about how he has anxiety and I'm like oh, I didn't know you had this! When did you get this? You know?

Um. I think it's always a struggle ‘cause it's high functioning anxiety, so it actually is like beneficial, like being a perfectionist, always being on time, saying yes, being a people-pleaser so it's that high functioning anxiety that places and people really benefit from and enjoy um, you know, and the overthinking and like that. Um, I've only really experienced like maybe two really depressive issues like times when I couldn't get out of bed, like super sad, crying everyday situations, and those only lasted really about three weeks. So, I'm very blessed in that sense that, like I never had such bad depression that I couldn't get through. And again, medication is fantastic.

Acupuncture is also fantastic. I am a person who does both. I um, you know, do the antibiotics for the infections, I do massages when I'm feeling stressed, like you gotta, there's that balance of having, knowing what's going to cure you and knowing what's going to make you feel better, you know.

![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics

- [ mental health](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/subject-area/mental-health)
- [depression](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/depression)
- [anxiety](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/anxiety)

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##### More to Explore

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Dealing with Mental Health Issues

MB describes her struggle coming to terms with mental health issues. She shares how her parents hindered her from getting help, but her friends supported her.

![Marisa](data:image/png;base64,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)

MB describes her struggle coming to terms with mental health issues. She shares how her parents hindered her from getting help, but her friends supported her.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-dealing-with-mental-health-issues)

[ResourcesRead

## A Toolbox for Coping with Anxiety amid Heart Failure

Our Bodies Ourselves content expert Maggie Teliska offers tools to cope with anxiety, from the perspective of a heart failure patient.

![lenin-estrada-GCpyNh39kOc-1024x683](data:image/png;base64,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)

Our Bodies Ourselves content expert Maggie Teliska offers tools to cope with anxiety, from the perspective of a heart failure patient.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-toolbox-for-coping-with-anxiety-amid-heart-failure)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Understanding That Hormonal Contraception Is Not for Me

L explains why she stopped taking hormonal birth control and began doing her own research to address her health problems.

![Abortion & Contraception](data:image/png;base64,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)

L explains why she stopped taking hormonal birth control and began doing her own research to address her health problems.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-understanding-that-hormonal-contraception-is-not-for-me)

[ResourcesRead

## Depression in Women: Four Things You Should Know

A fact sheet in English about depression in women, including common symptoms, types of depression, available treatments, and picking the right therapist.

![Fact Sheet- Depression in Women- 5 Things You Should Know](data:image/png;base64,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)

A fact sheet in English about depression in women, including common symptoms, types of depression, available treatments, and picking the right therapist.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/depression-in-women-five-things-you-should-know)

[ResourcesListen

## Emotional Planning for Retirement

In this hour-long podcast episode, Dorian Mintzer and Louise Nayer discuss how to navigate the emotional side of retirement

![karolina-grabowska-4467783-1024x683](data:image/png;base64,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)

In this hour-long podcast episode, Dorian Mintzer and Louise Nayer discuss how to navigate the emotional side of retirement](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/emotional-planning-for-retirement)

[Stories & ConversationsWatch

## Experiencing Weight Shaming at the Doctor

LS discusses her experience being body shamed by her doctor as a child and how it still affects her today.

![LS](data:image/png;base64,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)

LS discusses her experience being body shamed by her doctor as a child and how it still affects her today.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-experiencing-weight-shaming-at-the-doctor)

[Stories & ConversationsRead

## When Antidepressants Leave Lasting Damage: Living with Post-SSRI/SNRI Sexual Dysfunction

Sexuality is an integral part of our lives, central to our identity, our quality of life, and the ways we connect with other human beings. So what happens to those of us whose sexuality is removed or severely diminished by a medication?

![A white background with pills to the left](data:image/png;base64,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)

Sexuality is an integral part of our lives, central to our identity, our quality of life, and the ways we connect with other human beings. So what happens to those of us whose sexuality is removed or severely diminished by a medication?](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/when-antidepressants-leave-lasting-damage-living-with-post-ssri-snri-sexual-dysfunction)

[ResourcesRead

## Women’s Mental Health: Insights, Strategies, and Support

Here are helpful strategies for taking care of our mental health in the face of society's sexism and bias against women.

![A woman who appears sad sits on a bed in pajamas](data:image/png;base64,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)

Here are helpful strategies for taking care of our mental health in the face of society's sexism and bias against women.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/womens-mental-health-insights-strategies-and-support)