Why is Talking About Mental Health Still Sooooooooo Taboo

 

For those who know me, mental illness is something I have struggled with for decades now.  Some days are great, some are good and occasionally some are unbearable.  Every day is a struggle, its a constant internal battle, that people don't see on the outside; and it is extremely tiresome explaining it to people who refuse to understand.... Ignorance at it's best I guess!  

Mental illness isn't visible to the naked eye, so therefore to many it doesn't exist - "its all in your head!" is something I hear sooooo often, and although it technically IS true, its such an ignorant statement to make.  Do you people honestly think those of us who suffer from this, choose to have it any more than someone who has cancer??  Give you head a shake!  

Those who know me, know that I have fought so hard to get off medications that have literally destroyed the insides of my body - I won't get into the details of what some of the meds have done to me internally, because quite honestly, you probably don't give a rat's ass about that; but I will tell you that fighting to be off those meds is exactly the same as going through withdrawals of the worst kind of any addiction you can think of.... an addiction that wasn't even an option for me.  I was a guinea pig for most of the antidepressants I was on.

Currently, I am not on any antidepressants and haven't been on any in years; something I have been very proud of and now I feel defeated because I now know that the state I am in means I have to go back on them.  Unless, you have been in this situation, you have no idea how this feels - its utterly devastating to me.  In my head, I know its the right thing to do and I keep telling myself that if it were any other illness or disease, you wouldn't think twice about taking the medication to feel better, so why am I hesitating about making the call to fill the 'script?  

Probably because I am sick to death about dealing with people judging me for needing meds, or how I "just need to get out more", or I should just "relax", or "pray more", or some other BS suggestion that will magically fix me.  I think people need to wake up, and read up on mental health.  Stop giving mental health such a retched stigma; we keep reading about #LetsTalk  #SuicideAwareness and it is shown more and more in the news about suicide; but not enough is being done!!  

We are just at the tip of the iceberg people.... so much more research and resources need to be available, we shouldn't be afraid to express how we feel or be afraid of being shunned because we feel differently than someone else.  It is perfectly okay to feel sad and depressed, or different mood swings.  How about being open to hearing things you may not want to hear - how about not just hearing, but actually listening to what is happening in and around you?  Don't continue to be the problem, be part of the solution, be that friend and confidant!

I know I have mentioned how much I hate that I have to go back on medications, but I am sure I am not the only one in the world who feels this way.  I will do it because I am a warrior and survivor.  I know depression doesn't last forever and hope for better days ahead; its just a sucky day today and had to write about it, not just for myself but also for others to know that they aren't alone in this either; one day there will be light again <3