"I was so scared": Chezzi Denyer's shocking mental health revelation
Chezzi Denyer has opened up about the moment she decided to seek professional help for a debilitating mental health condition.
Grant Denyer's wife shared an emotional post on Instagram, marking the 10 year anniversary of the day she made a major change after struggling with post-natal depression and PTSD.
In a lengthy caption, she wrote, “Ten years ago, today, I made a very scary step and began professional treatment for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Postnatal Anxiety."
“At the time I was unable to articulate what I was feeling, or understand why. For some time I had exhausted myself trying to conceal it.”
She said that she felt "scared" to admit she was struggling, out of fear she would be called "crazy".
“Scared to sleep most nights because of the night terrors,” she wrote.
“The repeated visions of the very things that had scarred me, waking me shaking. I would die graphically in my dreams. Scared to care for my young daughter Sailor at times."
“I had never experienced anxiety up to this point so I didn’t know what it was ... but my fear over her becoming unwell or injured left me paralysed at times.”
Denyer said that as a seasoned “mask wearer”, she had laughed it off and became used to concealing her mental health battle.
“Most people who knew me well had no idea of my personal battle,” she wrote.
“While seeking help took me a number of attempts, as many dismissed me at first - my mask was strong - It has become the single most profound thing I have ever done in my life.
“My entire world began to change on that day, ten years ago.”
After seeking professional help, Chezzi learned the details of her own psychology, and began to forgive herself.
“I learnt that I was not the sum of my affliction/ condition, and that there was a path out and to a much better place should I want that, and I did so very very much."
“I worked through the pain, and the fear and while sometimes it felt too hard ... I continued to face it."
“And today while I quietly smile about how far I’ve come, I wanted to share this quite personal post with you because I know that it will resonate with many people still trying to conceal and wear their masks.”
Chezzi’s followers were stunned by the raw honesty of the post, with many thanking her for helping them to feel less alone.
“Thank you for sharing so vulnerably,” one follower wrote.
“I just know being open about your experience will help others feel less alone and will hopefully help someone to take that first step to ask for help. Thank you. Just thank you.”
Image credits: Instagram