Mental illness is the one of the most common, but most misunderstood health issues in today's world. It affects people of all walks of life, ages, genders, and socioeconomic backgrounds. While some people are more prone to mental illnesses than others, it still takes affects millions of people in this country.

There are multiple, common things that people living with mental illness hear constantly. And honestly, they tell themselves many of these things too.

1. "Could you stop be being overdramatic?" or "You're being overdramatic."

Overdramatic? Yes, probably. If you perceive a person having a "moment" and you feel they are being overdramatic, they easily may be. But you telling them that is not going to help whatsoever, because they already know that they are. Maybe instead of asking someone if they are being "overdramatic," reword it to redirect them in a way that expresses your concern instead of making them feel as if you don't care.

2. "Is this your anxiety talking?"

Openly pointing out someone is having an anxiety attack or acting a little sporadically really is not the best thing you do. Being openly labeled with "anxiety" can be very belittling and demeaning. Whether or not it is "their anxiety talking," anyone experiencing anxiety is really tired of it being pointed out in an unproductive way.

3. "You do it to yourself" or "You keep making yourself sick."

A person with any mental illness does not do it to themselves. It is a chemical imbalance in the brain involving neurotransmitters, synapses, and neurons. No one with mental illness ever wants to sit there and have a mental illness. No one makes themselves depressed, bipolar, anxious, schizophrenic, or obsessive-compulsive. It just does not happen. Anyone with true mental illness does not want it and certainly does not do it to themselves.

4. "You have nothing to be sad about."

Telling a person who is depressed that "they have nothing to be sad about" is wrong. You may feel like you are helping, which is greatly appreciated, but that makes someone with mental illness feel even worse.

5. "You are seriously crazy."

Nothing fun about being called crazy, insane, mental or anything along those lines. It's not so much fun being categorized as "crazy" or "psycho" when all you are doing is going through a rough moment and make someone who is struggling feel like they are an outcast and something is wrong with them.

6. "Why can't you just relax?"

Pointing out the obvious that they cannot relax is probably the most stressful thing that could happen to someone with mental illness. Whether it be anxiety, depression, hallucinations, or any form of delusions, being told to "relax" is not helpful.

You can either agree with me or disagree with me on this, and that is fine, because everyone takes things differently, but these are common things I have come across again and again with many different people. People who go through this realize you don't mean harm, but sometimes hearing this all of the time can become very overwhelming. So when faced with someone with mental illness, think about what they are saying and think about what you are going to say. Active listening is very important whether you are a teacher, nurse, doctor, therapist or concerned friend. Listening and processing the best thing to say takes time and practice, but can make the difference of someone's mood at the end of the day.

So listen, think carefully, and speak kindly, sincerely, and openly.