The Power of Resilience: Overcoming Trauma and Finding Healing in Mental Health Treatments

Throughout history, Black individuals have faced significant atrocities, ranging from the brutalities of enslavement to persistent systemic injustices. Despite these challenges, resources for healing and addressing these traumas are often scarce. The enduring impact of slavery, characterized by the harshness of the Middle Passage, centuries of chattel slavery, segregation, Jim Crow laws, and modern-day problems such as police violence and disparities in maternal health, continues to cause profound psychological wounds.

In my own life as a Black woman, sharing my mental health challenges is vital for breaking down stigmas within our communities and advocating for the mental health resources and reparations we so desperately need. Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, in his seminal work The Body Keeps the Score, explains that trauma fundamentally reshapes the brain and body, leading to profound issues such as depression, anxiety, difficulty with trust, and chronic states of fight or flight. Given this understanding, it is disheartening that society continues to ignore the urgent need for reparations in the form of comprehensive mental health care for the descendants of enslaved people.

This is why I choose to speak openly about my mental health struggles and advocate for better mental health support for Black people. Recently, I faced a setback in my mental health due to a toxic work environment. After reporting pervasive racism and ableism at my workplace, I was met with severe retaliation and harassment. This situation led to a significant decline in my mental health, prompting my therapist to refer me to a psychiatrist to discuss medication adjustments. My psychiatrist recommended Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and ketamine infusion therapy as part of my treatment plan.

Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) has been approved by the FDA as a noninvasive therapy for depression, utilizing magnetic fields to trigger nerve cells in the brain. The Mayo Clinic explains that TMS involves applying an electromagnetic coil to the scalp to administer magnetic pulses, which stimulate brain areas responsible for regulating mood. This treatment is designed to alleviate major depression symptoms by focusing on brain regions that show reduced activity during depressive episodes.

Ketamine Infusion Therapy utilizes small amounts of ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, to address different mental health disorders like treatment-resistant depression, anxiety disorders, and PTSD. According to the Pacific Neuroscience Institute, ketamine functions by inhibiting the NMDA receptor, which controls mood, cognition, and pain perception. Its quick-acting antidepressant benefits are believed to stem from its potential psychedelic characteristics, tackling intricate problems that could impact a patient's well-being.

For me, I underwent TMS combined with ketamine therapy at the recommendation of my psychiatrist. TMS assisted in easing my insomnia and certain depressive symptoms stemming from my workplace. On the other hand, ketamine therapy revealed underlying issues deeply rooted in my subconscious. This therapy made me aware that I was still mourning the deaths of my mother and cousin, and that I harbored unresolved grief connected to other areas of my life.

Overall, I am thankful for both treatments. The initial ketamine dose caused some intense nausea and delayed recovery after the first two sessions, but adjusting the dosage resolved these issues. My only regret is that my ongoing stress related to work—despite being on FMLA—and fighting for short-term disability added to my anxiety and affected the effectiveness of the treatments.

To fully benefit from TMS and ketamine infusion therapy, it is advisable to seek the guidance of a qualified psychiatrist and engage in psychotherapy. It is crucial to be in a stable environment while undergoing these treatments.

Sharing this part of my journey is part of my ongoing commitment to breaking down barriers to mental health care and advocating for the resources that Black communities need to heal and thrive.