In this episode, I’m getting real about my lifelong diagnoses of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)—and why, even after years of therapy and self-work, those labels still feel more like symptoms than answers.

We explore:

• The shame that grows when you feel like you’re always “too much” or “not enough”

• How women—and especially women of color—are often dismissed or disbelieved by the medical system

• Why I believe ADHD and PMDD are part of my story too

• What it looks like to advocate for yourself when the system tells you not to trust your own experience

• How shame disconnects us from our bodies—and how I’m starting to rebuild that trust

This episode includes a short closing meditation to help you ground and reconnect after what may be an emotionally charged listen.

Trigger Warning:Mentions of mental illness, diagnostic invalidation, medical gaslighting, PMDD, and emotional dysregulation.

If you’ve ever felt dismissed, misdiagnosed, or unseen inside your own body—this one’s for you.

Let’s stay connected:💌 Send your thoughts to: [email protected]📸 Follow along on Instagram: @monica.elzbieta | @cosmicmesspodcast

If this episode resonates, please share it or leave a review—it helps more messy, magical humans find this space. 🖤