It would be nice if we could move the dialogue about mental illness away from ‘how do we get rid of it?’ to ‘how do we create a societal framework that helps and allows people with personality disorders to be who they are?’ Does that make any sense?
Also, really not cool with being told, even indirectly, that I should feel bad for the people that have to ‘put up’ with me. That’s like saying I ought to feel guilty for my illness. Fuck you.
even though i only deal with mild anxiety and depression, i hear this. supportive people saying, “just get over it, you always get like this” or “why do you stress yourself out so much?” being made to feel like you’re the problem often feels worse than the feelings of anxiety and depression in the first place. and then trying to tell someone this, through tears? getting yelled at, saying “i’m just trying to help! god, what’s wrong with you?” how many times have people who struggle with depression been in that situation? where you’re made to hate yourself?
and you wonder, what is worse? struggling with mental health issues, or living in a world where people with mental health issues are portrayed as what’s wrong, not the world that offers very little affordable and accessible help or support, let alone understanding. where our friends, families and peers don’t have the frameworks to try and understand and be more supportive of these kinds of issues. where people with mental health issues or illnesses risk losing their jobs if they tell their workplace about it. where young women dealing with mental health issues are dismissed by their peers and sometimes health care providers, being told they’re just “overly emotional.”
i write this as i try to leave my house and go to work today, and feel glued to the floor. all i want is to take a mental health day. but i don’t have any when i am not on payroll, but being paid by honorariums, part-time.
I don’t have much to add except yes.
And the fear of people “putting up” with me is a huge contributor to my poor self worth, anxiety and depression.