Beyond Survival Mode: How Functional Depression & Lupus Impact Mental Health

50 Episodes Strong! In this special milestone
episode of the Lupus Speaks Podcast, host
Shedrica Shant’e shares her personal
journey with lupus and her recent diagnosis of
functional depression.


For years, she believed she was just pushing through—until she
realized she had been operating in survival
mode. This episode is an honest and raw
conversation about the connection between
chronic illness, mental health, and healing.


In This Episode, We Cover: What is
functional depression? Understanding the signs &
symptoms How lupus impacts mental health & emotional
well-being The difference between survival mode
& truly living The small changes that make a
big impact on healing Why self-care, nutrition,
& mindset matter in your wellness journey
Celebrating 50 episodes & the power of community
support


Key Takeaways:


Living with lupus isn’t just about managing symptoms—it’s
about reclaiming your life Mental health
struggles don’t happen overnight—our bodies send signals we need
to listen to Depression doesn’t mean you’re
broken, but it does mean your body & mind need care
Nobody’s coming to save us—but we have the power to take
control of our healing Engaging with a
supportive community makes the healing journey easier


Resources & Links:


Join the Lupus Speaks Community:
Challenge for Change Follow Shedrica on
Instagram for More: @lupusspeaks


Join the Conversation!


Have you ever felt like you were running on
autopilot? Drop a in the comments & share your
thoughts. Tag a friend who needs to hear this
episode! DM me on Instagram (@LupusSpeaks) if
this episode resonated with you!