Everyone always says that we need to start treating mental illness like a physical illness.

I agree on some levels, but my mental illness is worse than ANY physical illnesses I've ever had. I would go through a million emergency appendectomies and broken bones if it meant I wouldn't have to feel an ounce of depression or anxiety again.

Mental illness is by far the hardest thing I have had to handle. I've dealt with a number of things in my life, but this, by far, breaks the record concerning difficulty. The reason being is that when you have a mental illness, other people think you should just perk up and go on with your life.

A typical conversation:

Me: "I can't hang out, I don't feel well."
Friend: "Are you sick?"
Me: "No, depressed."
Friend: "Oh suck it up and come out!!"

If I were to tell my friend that I was sick with a stomach bug, sore throat, headache, etc., I'm sure they would have understood, but having a mental disorder isn't taken as seriously as physical illnesses.

I'd rather have a broken bone or some sort of other non-life-threatening physical diseases because at least I know there is hope of feeling better someday.

My mental illnesses make me feel like I am the biggest failure... A worthless, dramatic and overbearing person. My mental illnesses convince me I'm not worthy of love, friendship or success. I wish I could go to the doctor for my mental illness and they tell me that I'll be completely healed in six to eight weeks. Instead, there is a "trial and error" system with medication and treatment that can take YEARS to feel any better.

There's only so much of people saying "Positive thinking will make everything better!" that makes anything feel any better.