Written by Shannon,
Brightside Health
4 Minute Read
For Miosoti, depression left her feeling lost and caused her to internalize negative emotions. She didn’t want to see friends, wasn’t eating, and wanted to be left alone all the time. Miosoti had struggled with depression for four or five years, but couldn’t afford to keep up with treatment—until she found Brightside. Here is her story.
Miosoti Pichardo
33 years old • Tech industry • NYC • Brightside member
I began to experience signs of depression about four years ago. Most days, I would wake up to my heart racing and my hands shaking. In the beginning, I wanted to just stay in bed and binge-watch Netflix. I wasn’t taking care of myself, and I was eating little to no food. I felt so helpless. Fast-forward to the present day, and I noticed that I was slipping into my old, depressive habits. That is when I knew it was finally time to seek help.
Brightside’s affordable pricing appealed to me
Prior to Brightside, my experience with seeking treatment for depression was very brief. I went to a few therapy sessions and eventually stopped going because it was expensive, and I couldn’t afford it. After doing some research, I signed up for Brightside because the affordable pricing appealed to me.
“After doing some research, I signed up for Brightside because the affordable pricing appealed to me.”
So far, I have only had one session with my therapist. During that session, we had a conversation to assess my new medication. My doctor seems knowledgeable about the many medications available to treat depression, which puts me at ease. I feel like he listened to my needs and found a medication that helped me a great deal.
I noticed improvements in myself within the first four days of treatment. My day-to-day life has improved. I have been able to get regular daily tasks done, and I’m ready to plan for fun things in the future. I am also able to think more positively than negatively. Most importantly, I have regained my appetite, and eating does not feel like a burden. I love being social and hanging out with friends again. Saying yes to more spontaneous things has now become easy.
I can now afford to take care of my mental health
The hardest part of my recovery so far has been holding myself accountable. I sometimes have days when I start to feel a little down and reel myself in with some deep breaths and positive thoughts. “Mind over matter” is something I like to say to myself often to reduce negative thinking. I have worked hard to make myself healthy again and want to continue taking the necessary measures to stay that way.
“I have worked hard to make myself healthy again and want to continue taking the necessary measures to stay that way.”
Before Brightside, I was feeling lost and began to internalize negative emotions. I no longer wanted to see friends—or talk to anyone, for that matter. I just wanted to be alone all the time. Now I am feeling good! I am excited that this medication is helping me be a better version of myself.
This experience with Brightside has been different than my previous experience seeking help for my depression because I have stuck with this treatment. I like the medication that my doctor prescribed, and the pricing makes it so I can afford to take care of my mental health regularly.
“I wanted to share my story because it is okay not to feel okay.”
I wanted to share my story because it is okay not to feel okay. Covering depression or using vices to nurse your sadness is not a good plan in the long run. I have dealt with mild to severe episodes of depression and am in no way perfect. I spent the past five years not taking care of myself, hiding from my sadness, and thinking I could handle it. Now, I feel most like my old self—the one I used to know and love.
Personal essay by Miosoti Pichardo
Thank you for sharing your experience, Miosoti. For more member stories, check out Kyle’s story, Bridgett’s story, and Kaitlynn’s story. If you are struggling with anxiety or depression, you are not alone. Talking about these illnesses is the first step towards destigmatizing the topic of mental health. Get connected with one of our doctors today to figure out if Brightside is right for you.
