Immersed in a foreign land of yellow brick road and enchanting companionship, “The Wizard of Oz's" main character, Dorothy Gale, finds herself escaping her comfort zone on several occasions in an effort to return home to Kansas. Such a quest is adorned with perseverance, frustration, and even heartache, evident throughout the depths of character dynamism.
Similarly, I am constantly yearning to return home, and it is with utmost conviction that I am sure other individuals with mental illnesses are as well. However, my conception of “home” differs from others', for it is not a place, such as Kansas, but a refined sense of perception employed through emotional stability. Dorothy relies on The Scarecrow, The Tin Man, and The Cowardly Lion to both acquire and maintain her own variation of emotional stability throughout her journey; however, for victims of mental illness, such a task is much more complicated. Whether it be through means of overthinking, emotional attachment, alcoholism, or even drug abuse, individuals such as myself are unceasingly existing outside of their comfort zones in order to experience such a luxury.
Now I know what you’re thinking, “What about prescription medication?” Ah, yes. The “happy little pills” that twenty-first society stigmatizes yet simultaneously glorifies. As a nineteen-year-old college student who suffers from Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD), Moderate Depression, and Purely Obsessional Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (Pure-O OCD), I believe I can speak for many mental illness sufferers when I proclaim that these conditions (and pills) affect my academic and personal life in a profound manner, often disguised through perfectionist tendencies, pensive attitudes, and mood fluctuations. With that being said, as my alarm clock forces my eyes to open, and the bare ceiling of my room is unveiled to the even barer depths of my soul, I often wish for a stronger brain, a stronger heart, and an even stronger sense of courage to guide me throughout the seemingly futile endeavors I am expected to embark upon.
“No, my head is quite empty.” - The Scarecrow
The Scarecrow provides insight into the paradoxical nature of generalized, situational and social anxiety when he comments upon his lack of mental capacity to Dorothy. Despite the impending influx of worries and fears, individuals with anxiety often stray from such train of thought, leaving little to no outlet for critical thinking and creative pursuits. As a result, one can tiresomely approach even the fondest of tasks in a restless approach to master the daily sequence of events that lie before.
“Hearts will never be practical until they can be made unbreakable.” - The Tin Man
Hollow and stagnant, it can almost be assumed that The Tin Man is depressed as well. Although others would argue that it would be more politically correct to state that he is “experiencing depression,” as opposed to living within the parameters of “depression,” I will not, for depression is an everlasting condition that manifests in other ways besides feelings of inadequateness. Because even when I am “happy,” I am always searching for things, ideas, and places to fill the void that lies within my appearingly nonexistent heart.
“When you’re born to be a sissy without the vim and verve.” - The Cowardly Lion
“Why can’t you just ignore these thoughts, they’re not real?”
“Stop being so withdrawn from the conversation, be considerate for once.”
“It will soon pass, but then again, what if it doesn’t?”
Such thoughts suppress even the bravest of the mentally ill, resonating throughout the corridors of their once dignified consciousness. Blurred by the brain’s obsessive nature in overthinking, overanalyzing, and overreacting, those with Purely Obsessional Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (among other forms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder), pray for a newfound sense of courage. One that successfully combats the intrusive thoughts that define, yet defeat, one’s sense of self.
However, it should also be acknowledged that brainless people do an awful lot of eloquently crafted talking, heartless people can experience joy, and more importantly, the most startled people can face danger when they’re afraid (which is sometimes every day). Therefore, pay no attention to the girl behind the curtain, sprawled across her bed, silently sobbing into her pillow. For she has always possessed the power to return home, she is just having to learn it for herself. Just as you and I are as well.
