I was scrolling through Facebook when I came across an image that defined all of the standards for a love that individuals desire. Among the requirements was a "text me when you get home" kind of love, a "did you eat today?" kind of love, both of which I can understand. And then... we had the "Hold me until my panic attack passes" kind of love, which sent me into a mess of frustration.

Why are panic attacks being glorified for the purpose of a Facebook or Tumblr post, for one? Secondly, why oh why are mental illnesses being glorified and romanticized, period? There is no reason for this at all.

Let's talk about something:

It is not "cute" or "desirable" to suffer from anxiety. It is not romantic to have a partner help you through your depression. These, my friends, are mental illness, that people actually suffer from. It's not romantic to want to end your life, or starve yourself, or hate what you see when you look in the mirror. But, here's what it really is: It's heartbreaking. It's real.

Anxiety is not an attractive girl curled up in her bed, not being able to bear facing the world. It is not me curled up with my significant other as he holds me while my panic attack passes. Anxiety is overthinking everything, always. It's torturing yourself because of that embarrassing thing you said three weeks ago that no one remembers but you, and yet you can't stop thinking about it. It's wanting desperately to go out with your friends, or go to that dinner with coworkers, but being so very scared for a reason you can't pinpoint.

Depression is not beautifully-tragic sadness. It's a crippling mental illness.

Suicide is not beautiful. It is heartbreaking.

Eating disorders are not to be glorified. They are not pretty, skinny girls sipping tea. It's losing hair and being ill and unhealthy and still feeling obese despite it all. It's misery.

Mental illnesses are not beautiful. They are illnesses, and it is time that we stop romanticizing them.