There are still many mental health illnesses that are hard for some people to understand. The most common misconceptions are about depression and anxiety. There is an extent to these issues that some people cannot begin to understand, therefore, they brush off as a minor, 'dramatic' expression of emotions. These illnesses can be debilitating for some, but once there is a diagnosis there comes a sense of relief.
"There is a reason why I am the way I am."
Some people may find comfort by this and others may not. Then there are those that never have the means of getting a diagnosis or are ignored by family or medical professionals. It is to those people that I would like to say this:
"YOUR SADNESS IS VALID".
How many times have you heard someone say, "They look like they have such a perfect life. There's no reason for them to be sad."? Or something like "They don't SEEM that bad. They're just looking for attention."
Why is it that people need to have a prescription slip or a tragic event to be sad? No one should have to justify how they feel. Whether it be because of a mental illness or a glass of spilled milk. Emotions are uncontrollable and nothing to be ashamed of. If you are feeling lonely, sad, depressed, anxious or frustrated, it is not something to hide away as a dirty little secret. You have every right to feel the way you do. On the other side of this, if you know someone who is going through a particularly emotional time, for any reason, the best thing to do is to assure them you understand and accept what they are feeling.
It is time to be empathatic and stop judging others for something they may not be able to control. Believe your friends when they say they've felt alone. Believe your siblings when they are having a hard time in school and feel like there's no hope. Believe in yourself when you feel like something is wrong.
xo
