We don't talk about it. We don't talk about it because we don't want to be judged, and because we fear you won't understand. We don't talk about it because you "don't need those pills" or because you too are having "anxiety." We don't talk about it because it triggers feelings — feelings that we work hard to escape.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, 1 in four adults experience mental illness in a given year. That means someone you know, whether you recognize it or not, has or is currently experiencing mental illness.
Some of my experience with depression and anxiety has been chronicled here. Mild compared to other stories I've read and people I know, it is still a part of me. And I owe an abundance of gratitude to those that showed me that #1 We can talk about these things and #2 We can laugh about it afterwards.
Throughout this month, I plan to share my stories. The posts below are ones I've collected over the years that have resonated with me deeply. They are my reminders that I am never alone.
So, let's talk about it. Share your experiences, or talk to a friend in need. It's time.
(:
ReplyDeletei'm so glad you support this because too many people suffer in silence.
ReplyDeletei suffered from severe depression (major depressive disorder, OCD and high anxiety disorder) for 2 years after my daughter was born. it started off as PPD but i left it untreated, mainly because i was told by everyone else that "it's just baby blues" and "it'll go away soon". well, 13 months rolls by and i'm at my worst.. i dropped to 108lbs, i wasn't living in this world but in my head, could barely get out of bed and it was the darkest time of my life. it scares me to say this, but if my family hadn't staged in intervention, i was a few months away from suicide, it was that bad.
after i got treated (2yrs of psychotherapy + meds), things are great. my family and friends were so supportive and things took a while to become "normal" again. it nearly ruined my marriage but we made it work (that took a long time too).
so i'm very glad you posted this; everyone should be aware of how devastating depression/mental illness (in all forms) can be.
I agree with this so hard.
ReplyDeleteNo one has any problem talking about cancer or other illnesses, but once someone has a mental one, people think they're faking it or wanting attention. That is ignorant and irresponsible.
I have yet to write about my struggles. You are so brave.
ReplyDeleteI don't think i can handle this -- so early. I'll be back tonight.
ReplyDeleteit's a good thing we communicate through our blogs because i don't think i would have ever know you've gone thru anytime of bad times. I had anxiety bad when I moved out on my own..only i didn't think it was anxiety because i moved freakin 5 min away from my parent's house and just thought it was an asthma attack. I'm glad you found help and you will always have my support, ear (you know to listen) and anything else :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this today.
ReplyDeletei love this. we really don't talk about it. it's a subject that should be talked about more. it's real. it's here. it's everywhere. people just need to listen.
ReplyDeleteThanks for letting me know about the month. It is definitely something that my family struggles with and I appreciate your putting it to the forefront.
ReplyDeleteYou're a good egg for pointing this out.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Whit- there's so much publicity surrounding Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Diabetes Awareness Month-- it should be like that with mental health, too.
I do not fucking get why no one in this country wants to talk about mental illness. It's just like physical illness. It's real, it's out there, it should be addressed.
ReplyDeleteMy husband suffers from anxiety and depression, as do a few of my good friends. Each of them was so afraid to say something about it. That sucks. It's unacceptable.
Sing it out, girl. You'll be helping yourself and also someone else by letting them know they're not alone.
This is awesome and I'm embarrassed to say I had no idea this month even existed. I'm baffled by the silence. Not just from people that suffer but from our government and health care system. I have A LOT of mental illness in my family, from depression, to bipolar disorder, to schizophrenia. I'm so sad for people who don't have a support system and can't get the help they need. People don't typically choose to be homeless or unemployed. Ignorance!
ReplyDeleteWe all know how I feel about xanax and prozac. I don't understand why people make it some horrible thing that you can't talk about, if there's something out there (or someone to talk to out there) that makes you feel better, find it!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing this! Soooo many people have issues with depression and anxiety and the stigma just makes it worse. Don't even get me started on the way the culture of pretending it's not an issue leads to domestic violence and crazy violent outbreaks...I won't get political here but again thank you!! And we may have even more in common than I thought :)
ReplyDeletegreat post. mental illness shouldn't be such a label!
ReplyDeletexo the egg out west.
every woman in my family is bat-shit fucking crazy. like maybe spent some time in the mental hospital, maybe tried to kill herself and was arrested for her own safety, and maybe sometimes have to be medicated. it blows. but it's the reality. and then less we talk about the worse it gets. so good job lady. i liked this. a lot.
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