• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Before Header

Dr. Whitney Young ND

  • Home
  • About
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Work With Me
  • Login
  • Home
  • About
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Work With Me
  • Login

Being labelled

February 20, 2012 By //  by Whitney Young, ND

For many people, a diagnosis of a mental health disorder, like ADHD, depression, anxiety, bipolar, fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome is  viewed as a label and is attached with a lot of stigma and fear.

What if we change the perspective or the meaning associated with a diagnosis?

I offer this metaphor:

You’re driving towards a tunnel.  It’s a beautiful day and you’re having a lovely drive.  You enter the tunnel without a worry in the world.  By the time that you come out of the tunnel, you’re a mess.  There are scratches everywhere, you’re angry, and you’re confused.  What just happened?  It was too dark in the tunnel to see anything.  You feel like you were just beaten up.

You decide to carry on, and shake it off.  Back to life you go.

A few days or weeks later, you’re driving on the road, towards another tunnel.  Feeling good and positive, you go through the tunnel.  Same thing happens though.  Something in the tunnel caused your car to get all wrecked and you are furious.  What happened?

You start asking other people if it happens to them?  They look at you like you’re crazy.  What do you mean ‘something’ is in the tunnel?  There’s nothing there.

Now you’re feeling confused and embarrassed.  Maybe it was just my imagination.  Maybe it is ‘all in my head’.  I’ll go through another tunnel and it will be fine.

But again, you experience this ‘something’ in a very real way.  There are visible scratches on your car and you’re pretty shaken up.  But no one else gets it.  They don’t get why things change ‘only for you’ in the tunnel.

To make matters worse, they are getting frustrated with you.  Every time that you crash, you need their help.  You need financial aid to fix your car, you need rides while the car is being fixed, and worst of all, sometimes you are not the only one who gets hurt.

So finally you take your car to a new mechanic and he says, “Of course you’re crashing.  You don’t have lights.”  Huh.

The diagnosis of not having lights explains everything.  You didn’t know that other people could see in the tunnel and they never thought to ask if you had lights because “everybody has lights”.  Finally, your diagnosis explains everything.

Now there are two ways to handle things.

Check back next week to see what they are 😉

Kerri

 

Filed Under: Mood

Previous Post: « The Path to Permanent Weight Loss
Next Post: Gluten free Brownies »

Footer

  • Home
  • About
  • Shop
  • Blog
  • Events
  • Work With Me
  • Login
My favourite things are babies and food. Put them My favourite things are babies and food. Put them together and you've got adorable pictures! However, I started my journey with baby food with a little bit of fear when my firstborn developed severe allergies to peanuts and tree nuts. Now it's my passion to share with moms how to introduce foods safely and properly to avoid food allergies and sensitivities. Come and join me @serenitybirthstudio this October for a very informative class. Link in bio #babyfood #allergies #foodallergyprevention #foodallergies #barriemoms #orilliamoms #midlandmoms #raisinghealthykids
This year I bought golf clubs for my birthday and This year I bought golf clubs for my birthday and decided this was the year I was taking up golf officially. 

It was time to build this skill so I could spend more time with my mom and stepdad. The byproduct is creating new memories with other friends who also like the game and making new friends. 

This Friday we golfed in the 5th annual Mike Gilbertson Memorial tournament. I’ve sponsored a hole for a few years for @carlaynegilbertson and @seasonscentreforgrieving but this is the first year I golfed. It was so much fun for a great cause. I’m excited to see how much the event raised for these special kids. 

What activities do you do to connect with the people you love?

#connection #womensupportingwomen #golflifestyle #community
Katie @your.thyroid.nd and I are really happy to o Katie @your.thyroid.nd and I are really happy to once again be a corporate sponsor for Bridgets Run. This is us last fall. 

We would love for you to join our team and walk or run with us on Saturday, October 21 at Centennial Beach Park in Barrie. The run starts at 10 AM. Click the link in bio to learn more to register. 

@bridgetsbunnies @rooted_naturopathic_clinic #infantloss #miscarriage #infertility #miscarriageawareness #miscarriagesupport
Play isn't just for kids—it's a powerful tool fo Play isn't just for kids—it's a powerful tool for enhancing your well-being at any age. As a naturopathic doctor, I know that integrating play into your routine can lead to a healthier, happier life.

**Physical Fitness:** From sports to dancing, play keeps you moving. It's not just fun – it's a boost for your heart, muscles, and coordination. I've been jumping on the trampoline with my kids, random dance parties, and throwing the ball to our dog-sitting pupils. 

**Stress Relief:** Need to unwind? Play triggers the release of natural stress-busters, helping you relax and recharge.

**Cognitive Stimulation:** Puzzles, games, and creative activities keep your mind sharp. Get ready to boost memory, focus, and problem-solving skills. We love a good board game at my house. What's your favourite?

**Social Interaction:** Play often happens with others, promoting social bonds, better communication, and a sense of belonging.

**Emotional Well-being:** Laughter and accomplishment are byproducts of play. They combat anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

No matter your age, play has a place in your life. As your doctor, I encourage you to embrace play for a healthier you. Remember, the prescription for play is a prescription for a better life. #PlayForHealth #WellnessJourney #naturopathicdoctor #childrenshealth #barrie #playmore
15 years! I graduated from the Toronto naturopat 15 years! 

I graduated from the Toronto naturopathic college @myccnm 15 years ago with the hope of helping as many people as possible. 

First I had humble beginnings with renting a room at The Healing Oasis with a lovely team of practitioners. From there, I took over The Healing Oasis for a few years before moving to Bell Farm Road  to be part-owner of @rooted_naturopathic_clinic

I’ve been here for over 10 years now.

I’m so grateful for the many people I have worked with and proud of the steps they’ve taken to improve their health. 

Who knows what the next 15 years brings? For now, I’ll mark this moment and celebrate. 

#naturopathicmedicine #barrie #barriend #barrieontario #naturopathontario #ndsuccess #ndlife #naturopathicdoctor
🌿💚 Hey there, parents! Dr. Whitney here, you 🌿💚 Hey there, parents! Dr. Whitney here, your friendly naturopathic doctor with a special focus in children's health. 

🧒Whether it's tackling eczema, soothing tummy troubles like constipation or diarrhea, easing anxiety, or ensuring a happy and healthy start for your little ones, I'm here to support you every step of the way. 

🌈✨ From well baby checks to guiding you through the exciting journey of solid food introduction and food allergy prevention, my mission is to nurture your child's well-being naturally. 

🙌🌿 Let's work together to create a vibrant, joyful, and allergy-free future for your little superheroes! 🌟🦸‍♀️ 

#ChildrensHealth #NaturopathicDoctor #HealthyKids #HappyLittleOnes #NaturalSolutions #wellnessjourneywarrior
Doing a happy dance for this family! Their toddl Doing a happy dance for this family! 

Their toddlers eczema is 95% better! He doesn’t scratch his back on his high chair every time he sits down for meal time anymore. His hair is growing back where he was scratching. He’s a happier guy!! 

Know anyone who’s child is suffering with eczema? Share this with them. I’d be happy to help. 

#naturaleczemarelief #eczemarelief #eczemahealing #babyeczema #babydoctor #naturopathicmedicine
Here’s a few of my tips that I use at home to re Here’s a few of my tips that I use at home to remember to take my supplements everyday. 

1️⃣ put them in the pantry cupboard that is easily accessible and that I open often for other things. 

2️⃣ Keep them in the door of the refrigerator, not at the back of the fridge, so they don’t get lost. 

3️⃣ portion out everyday in the morning when I make my lunch to go to work. Therefore, I remember to take my supplements because I’ve paired them with eating lunch or making my lunch in the morning. Thanks to #AtomicHabits for that one. 

#supplements #habits #healthhabits #remembering #healthhacks #healthyhabits
Load More... Follow on Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Privacy Policy · Website by MalindaWatt.com

Login

Lost Your Password?