A Mental Health Myth

                  There are a lot of myths surrounding mental health. These myths are harmful and further the stigma that surrounds mental health. Today I would like to address one myth. My plan is to periodically address other myths in future posts.

                  One harmful myth surrounding mental health is that talking about mental health is a sign of weakness. Just the opposite is true. Talking about mental illness is a sign of strength. It takes courage to discuss mental health. The fact that this myth is believed is proof of the strength it takes to talk about mental health.

                  As I have shared, I have lived with mental illness, depression and anxiety, for most of my life. It took me a long time to learn that it was okay to talk about my mental health. At times I was afraid of how I would be perceived. In all honesty, sometimes I still am. I believed that I would be ridiculed for my depression and anxiety. I didn’t think others would understand. I did not believe I deserved help with my mental health. So, I remained silent. 

                  I suffered silently with my illness for a long time before I had the courage to share my suffering. It took courage to share my story with someone other than my psychologist. Once I took that risk, I realized that I wasn’t alone. There are so many people living with mental illness. Like I did, many of these people believe they need to stay silent. Once I learned that I could share my mental illness with others, I felt a weight lifted off me. Despite the lifting of the weight, it still takes courage to share my story. Even today, after I have been sharing my experience with mental illness for many years, I sometimes hesitate. We never know how the illness we live with will be received. Thanks to groups like NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), there is more awareness surrounding mental health and more acceptance. Still, stigma and ignorance are present in the world. That is the reason it still takes strength to talk about mental illness.

                  One of the purposes of my blog is to provide an open space to discuss mental illness. It is a safe space. It is a place for me to share my experiences and thoughts. I welcome comments because that encourages open discussion. Whenever I post on this blog, I share it on my social media accounts. It takes strength for me to do that because I never know who is lurking on social media. The reason I do this is to reach as many people as I can. Occasionally, I will receive a negative reaction. I will be honest when that happens, it hurts, but I know that I am I getting far more positive than negative reactions. 

Talking about mental illness is how we end the stigma. Sadly, there are people who do not understand that mental illness is an illness. There are people who ridicule us. There are people who think that by talking about it we are seeking attention. Well, I am seeking attention, but not for myself. I am seeking attention to the fact that many people live with mental illness and that all of us deserve support and treatment. I am lucky to have a platform where I can discuss mental illness. It is a testament to the strength I have developed in my battle with mental illness. I have learned that I can use my voice to better myself and to help others. So, if that makes me an attention seeker or if it makes me weak, that is okay. I am doing my part to make life easier for those of us living with mental illness. 

I wish I could do more. One day I will. For now, I will use my strength to discuss mental illness with anyone who will listen. There are people who don’t want to listen. Sadly, it is their loss. 

I’m going to try a little experiment. I want to ask people who are reading this to comment. If you are living with mental illness, comment “I am here”. Maybe you don’t live with mental illness, but you are listening and believe we should discuss mental health, comment, “I am listening”. If appropriate, leave both comments. You can comment anonymously if you are uncomfortable leaving your name. I just want to show that there are people out there who believe it demonstrates strength to discuss mental illness. So, help me out. Leave a comment. Your comments also help spread my blog to others, which further breaks down this myth.

It is a myth that it is a sign of weakness to talk about mental illness. Let’s allow our voices to be heard. 

Depression Drains Us of Energy

                 One of the struggles with depression can be getting yourself to do things. I know I struggle with this at times. Actually, I struggle with it often. I am learning to be more patient with myself about it and thought I would share some thoughts.

                  Depression is draining. It may seem like with depression we are not doing anything. We may lie in bed all day or sit in the dark. Some people function as if it is a normal day and go through a routine. No matter how our depression manifests itself, it requires a lot of energy. Yes, lying in bed with depression is tiring. I know that may seem unrealistic or it may seem like we are resting. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Depression requires a lot of mental energy. It drains us of energy because our minds are busy fighting the depression. The thoughts depression fills our mind with are heavy and sometimes we need to battle those thoughts just to get through the day. At times we may need to battle suicidal thoughts. It is a heavy burden. 

                  Depression makes me tired, but it also prevents me from getting the rest I need to carry the burden depression creates. I may lay in bed all day and still be exhausted when evening arrives. It is not a physical tiredness, although at times my body may just not want to do anything. Depression causes a mental fatigue. This fatigue is heavy. It is draining. 

                  When we live with depression, we need to find ways to give ourselves grace. We need to recognize that our illness drains us of energy. The mental fatigue is real. It is also all-encompassing. Mental fatigue can make us physically tired. It is difficult, but we need to remind ourselves that even doing little things while depressed is a major accomplishment. We need to give ourselves credit for it. If we don’t give ourselves credit, it is not likely others will. People don’t understand our struggle. To outsiders lying in bed all day seems like rest or even being lazy. However, we know how much strength it takes to get out of that bed. 

                  Luckily for me those days of lying in bed all day fighting my depression are getting fewer. I have my mental health team and the treatment I am receiving to thank for that. It is my hope that through awareness others can get the kind of help I have been blessed with. That awareness comes from efforts of groups like NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). My blog is an attempt to raise awareness. You can help by sharing my blog with others or by getting involved with NAMI. One way you can do this is by donating to NAMI Walks. I am raising funds through NAMI Walks. You can help me by donating here NAMI Walks Gina's Donation Page. Because so many people have donated to the other cause I have fundraised for (breast cancer research) I am not doing a lot of publicizing of this effort. Maybe next year I can raise more money, but I want to respect that people have already donated to my other efforts. However, if you would like to donate, click on my donation page link. Every little bit helps. I will be donating as much as I can. 

                  NAMI has given me hope. Through volunteering with NAMI, I have met incredible people and been given an opportunity to share my story with so many others. My involvement with NAMI has allowed me to give talks about mental health, write articles that have appeared on the NAMI Glendale website, and lead a writing as a healing tool writers' group. There is still space in this writing group if you would like to join. Just click on the link. All of this helps when depression is dragging me down and leaving me with no energy. 

                  I will leave you with this thought. If all you did today was get out of bed, I am proud of you. When you live with depression that simple act can take tremendous courage and willpower. If you didn’t get out of bed, that is okay, too. You are doing what you need to do to survive. Give yourself grace and remember that depression is an illness. There will be days when the illness takes control.  One thing I have learned is to not give up. If I spend today in bed because of my depression, tomorrow is a new chance to get out of bed.