Mental health was never a priority growing up. Getting good grades and appearing perfect so that my parents would have answers that fit the expectations of other South Asians who might ask how I was doing in school, where I was going to college, or what I was doing with my career.
When issues from eating disorders to underage drinking came up, the response would be “That’s an American issue. Indians don’t have that problem.” Going to therapy really wasn’t a thing, and I didn’t understand anything about mental health until college because it was never discussed or acknowledged.
But I eventually realized that my parents, aunts, and uncles did not have the answers to everything and they themselves were just figuring it out. I began to learn to love myself and get clear on what I really wanted apart from how I’d been programmed.
Even today, thinking outside the box and pursuing a career outside medicine makes people in general uncomfortable, stepping outside my label as a doctor. But for other women, I’d say don’t be ashamed or afraid to get help from a professional, be it a life coach or therapist. Doing the work on ourselves is the key to a happier life and breaking the cycle of generational trauma.
For tips on how to get out of survival mode and end burnout, Naik runs The Empowering Working Moms Podcast at stresscleansemd.com.
