I thought I was broken Turns out I was burnt out unmedicated and undiagnosed
In this candid personal essay, Corrina Rawlinson recounts a decade‑long struggle with undiagnosed ADHD, complex PTSD, major depression, suicidality, post‑natal depression, and multiple pregnancy losses. On the surface she appeared to be a high‑functioning mother, small‑business owner, and community volunteer, yet internally she was overwhelmed by anxiety, executive dysfunction, and a relentless inner critic. A turning point arrived when a psychiatrist identified ADHD, leading to medication that quieted her “400‑tab” mind and restored a sense of agency. Corrina describes the cyclical pattern of hospital admissions, the humiliation of having to repeatedly re‑explain her story to new clinicians, and the relief that finally came from a proper diagnosis. She details how she rebuilt personal boundaries, learned to say no, and restructured her business and parenting approach, resulting in a more sustainable life. The experience inspired her to launch “She’s Honestly Mental,” a podcast and community that foregrounds the messy, unpolished reality of mental‑health survival, using her own suicide note as a launch moment to break silence. Throughout, she emphasizes that women are asked to carry impossible loads, that survival need not be perfect, and that honesty is a vital antidote to stigma.
Topics
From Burnout to Diagnosis: Uncovering Undiagnosed ADHD and Complex PTSD
Chronicles Corrina’s journey from feeling broken and burnt out to receiving a formal ADHD diagnosis and a label of complex PTSD.
The Hidden Cost of Perfectionism: Societal Expectations and Maternal Mental Health
Explores how the pressure to perform perfectly as a mother, business owner, and community volunteer amplified her anxiety, executive dysfunction, and self‑criticism.
Navigating a Fragmented Healthcare System: Repeated Admissions, Stigma, and the Audition for Care
Details multiple hospitalizations, the humiliation of having to re‑explain her story to new clinicians, and the systemic barriers that intensified her crisis.
Medication as a Turning Point: Experiencing the Impact of ADHD Treatment
Describes the first experience of ADHD medication, the sensation of a quiet mind, and how it shifted her quality of life without being a miracle cure.
Rebuilding Boundaries and Redefining Worth: Sustainable Parenting and Business Practices
Outlines the practical changes Corrina made—saying no, delegating, focusing on joy—to create a manageable daily life for herself and her family.
She’s Honestly Mental: From Personal Survival to Community Advocacy
Explains the creation of her podcast and community, the decision to read her suicide note aloud, and the mission to give voice to the “messy middle” of mental‑health journeys.
Trauma, Pregnancy Loss, and the Intersections of Suicidality
Highlights the compounded impact of sexual assault, post‑natal depression, multiple miscarriages, and suicide ideation on her mental‑health trajectory.