There is a sort of ebb and flow to PTSD and depression. John Arenburg.
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It would be silly to think everyone understands the plight of the mentally ill mind. While I, like many of you, wish this were true, it’s not. In fact, some of those who misunderstand mental-health conditions are likely people you’re close to. It would be equally naive of me to think I am the only one who experiences this.
Part of the problem, at least in my experience, is the natural ebb and flow of, in my case, PTSD and its ride-along partner depression; might as well hit me from multiple angles, right?
What may be difficult for those who think we can simply get up and shake it off is, when we are in the throes of a depression, we isolate as a result, and can be missing from their lives for days.
You set the boundaries and go from there.
Of course, there’s also a little thing called stigma that is part of this equation too. One’s personal belief has a lot to do with their perception. Regardless of the motive, be aware – anyone can have this point of view, even those closest to you.
Ways to help people understand your mental illness.
While it can be difficult to embrace their inaccurate preconceptions of you, remember – their view is reinforced by the observations they make when they see you – basically, when you are feeling well.
What’s important to realize is that those who don’t understand, don’t have to have a say in your reality. Because one doesn’t think it so, doesn’t make it true – a fact we often forget.
Now, does this mean you have to abandon a great friendship? Not from my point of view. We all have elements of being human that are not desirable. They are worthy of forgiveness. They can like it or they can hate it; you set the boundaries and go from there.
Like what you are reading? want more? check out: Depression’s Mindset.
Your priority is to understand that this ebb and flow is real, and it does, in fact, take you out. We must get the help we need, and when our mental-health conditions can’t be helped, we need to ride the wave.
On a positive note, you are under no obligation to accept unfamiliar people into your life if you discover that they are not supportive or they are just downright mean.
if you can “get over” your anxiety and depression, LUCKILY for you it’s not CHRONIC.
But John, how can you tell? Well, in my experience, when a person discovers you have a mental illness and has a view that somehow, willing it away is all one needs to do to get “over it,” they will hesitate and verbally dance around the subject in an attempt to feel you out. The end goal? To figure out the best way to share their opinion. Some voice it, others don’t – while others are trying to tell you you’re faking it.
check out The Depression Files Podcast
So please, don’t despair over the words of others. What you are going through is real. You can’t wish it away and you certainly can’t snap out of it. The ebb and flow of mental illness shows us just how real it is.
In crisis? Call 1.833.456.4566 | Text 45645 (Crisis Services Canada) Crisis Services Canada
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