What your mentally ill friends want you to know...
On first-hand experiences of life with mental illness.
…it’s not easy
Neither the illness or admitting to the world (and sometimes ourselves) that you’re struggling mentally. Some people suffer in silence without an outlet for relief, knowledge of their illness, or resources to treat it.
Here’s what your mentally ill friends want you to know about their experiences.
You may or may not know the individuals above but I guarantee you know someone who feels the same.
“I don’t want to fight with you because I’m constantly fighting with myself.”
“I can’t tell you what’s wrong with me because I don’t always know myself.”
“I’m not lazy, I just don’t feel like doing things all the time.”
“I’m not okay. And I don’t know when or if I’ll ever be okay.”
“When I’m having an episode, it feels like I will be trapped in the intensity of that feeling forever. Time ceases to mean anything to me. Usually all I really need is someone to remind me that feelings change as time goes on.”
“Just because I disappear, doesn’t mean I don’t love you. I’ll be back soon like I never left, so please don’t make things weird.”
“My mental illness doesn’t mean I’m possessed by a demon or that my faith in God is weakened.”
“I’m scared.”
“My mood and decisions aren’t always because of it.”
“I’m quiet but I’m having a good time! My social battery is starting to drain.”
“I always drive myself to events just in case I want to leave due to being overstimulated.”
“If I randomly grab your arm or leg, I’m trying to self-soothe.”
“I DO feel crazy and I WILL snap. So STOP PUSHING ME.”
“I’m struggling like hell and really need help.”
“I swear I’m not pushing y’all away. I just don’t want to burden y’all with my daily negative thoughts.”
“I don’t always have the words to describe what I’m feeling and what I need.”
“I’m not flaky. I didn’t know I would be mentally under the weather when it came time to hang.”
“I don’t want to die, I just don’t want to feel like this.”
“I have four mental illnesses. I am not lazy. I guarantee you can’t handle this any better than I do.”
“I’m sorry for the pain I caused when I wasn’t in the best headspace.”
“I see it as a spectrum. Even people not diagnosed may have some shared traits. Be kind.”
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Thank you so much for sharing! This is really helpful so I can support my loved ones.
“I’m not flaky. I didn’t know I would be mentally under the weather when it came time to hang.” THIS. I love this wording. Thinking about myself as flaky is one of my favorite ways to self-flagellate when I'm not up to socializing because of my mental health. This is such a better framing.