Voices Across America

Migraine, Mental Health, and Gaslighting

CarmenRose

State: Oregon
Congressional District: OR01

Diseases

Mental Health, Migraine

Issues and Challenges

CarmenRose has encountered: Insurance Issues, Gaslighting

My Story

Hey y’all, my name is CarmenRose and I use she/her pronouns. I’m a 24 year old Latina woman living in Portland, Oregon.

I have been living with Anxiety and Depression most of my life, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder for a few years, and more recently chronic Migraines.

I was in a really bad car accident 3 years ago and was left with a really bad concussion. Later that summer I got in another accident, which left me with compounding concussions. I struggled with headaches and migraines for months, but I was always told they would go away in a few months. Here I am 3 years later and my headaches just get more frequent. People don’t usually believe me because they can’t see the pain, like a physical injury or condition. I get headaches and migraines more than 50% of the month and I usually have to push through and work. Then, the next day I’ll have what I call a “migraine hangover.” I am exhausted, depressed, and have a hard time with light and sound. This can be really debilitating and only heightens my mental health conditions.

We need to raise more awareness around conditions like this. Even if you can’t see it, it doesn’t mean someone isn’t struggling. We need to keep fighting for equal access to medical care. Getting the medical care we need should be easy and accessible to everyone, regardless of income, race, gender, sexuality, or access to insurance.

I am really grateful for this community and all the amazing advocates doing the work every day, and they inspire me to continue fighting for equal access to health care. Because the proper health care can save our lives.

My Motivation and Inspiration

Social Justice advocates motivate and inspire me every day! People that wake up every day and want to fight for everyone's right to live and thrive are the reason I get out of bed every day. I just want to contribute and help make people's lives better, and for future generations to come.

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