I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety since I was young. I wasn’t diagnosed until a few years ago. I think the hardest part of it all is accepting the fact that I live with a mental illness.
I don’t like it when people judge others just because they don’t understand what they’re going through. Unless you live with the same illness, you’re not going to ever fully understand. Telling someone with depression or anxiety to get over it is like telling the sun not to shine. It just doesn’t work like that.
Sometimes, all we need is a compassionate ear. We need somewhere to express our feelings without being judged.
We don’t always need advice, we just want someone to listen. Instead of always putting us down, take some time to listen to us, let us vent. The world would be a much nicer place if people would just learn how to have more compassion for people.
Sometimes, I don’t feel worthy of life. Often times, I feel like I’m judged because I’m mentally ill. I bottle a lot of my feelings up because I don’t feel safe sharing them.
I preface all of this with the fact that I’m a mental health advocate. I’m a trained active listener and I manage a support group on Facebook for people who suffer from depression and anxiety.
This world is full of hatred. If I could touch one heart or save one life, I’ve found my purpose. However, there are times in my life when I’ve felt the need to express myself but I’ve had nowhere to go.
I have people who have always said ‘they’d be here’ but I feel like I’d just be a burden to them. I sit up late at night and cry sometimes because I’m so depressed. Some days, just getting out of bed is difficult.
Being judged all the time doesn’t help. I want to feel important to someone. I want to let it all out whenever I feel the need to without feeling like I’m burdening anyone and then bottling it up all the time as a result. I just want to be heard. I don’t want to feel sad anymore but I can’t control how I’ll feel from one minute to the next.
People in my life need to understand that when I get depressed, it’s not my fault because when I feel like that, I feel like I’m not good enough.
In the past, I’ve felt suicidal. I don’t want anyone to feel like that. Every life is precious. NO ONE in this world deserves to feel like they aren’t worthy of life. Every human life has value.
Whatever life throws you will only make you stronger. When you start to feel like giving up, think about why you’ve held on so long in the first place.
Find your passion, your happiness, anything that gives you strength and hold onto it. Grab it with both hands and remember that you are here for a reason.
Your life is valuable. YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL! You are strong and you can get through ANYTHING that crosses your path. You are a warrior and you WILL crush every obstacle, no matter what. You are brave and I believe in you. I love you. You’re going to be okay!
This article was published anonymously.
Photo by Bonnie Kittle on Unsplash
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