Mental disorders SHOULD NOT be normalized.
Growing I was told I wasn’t trying hard enough while trying my best, that I was being dramatic and unreasonable when I couldn’t control my emotions, that I should just learn how to deal with stress even when it goes much beyond just being nervous. In a world where more and more people experience mental disorders, especially in their teenage years, it’s ridiculous that most of us still adopt a dismissive attitude towards them.
I questioned every part of myself trying to figure out how I could possibly be so inept at things other people seemed to be doing without any issues. Later I found out I have anxiety, ADD and depression. And at first I was ashamed, ashamed that I couldn’t only rely on myself and I had to burden other people by asking for help. In my mind I wasn’t worth the effort. I felt like I should hide myself from the world since that would make everything so much easier for everyone, and because I felt as though my hardships weren’t justified. But in understanding more about my own mental health I started seeing that I wasn’t the only one dealing with these things, that my experience was valid and that mental disorders aren’t something you just shake off and get over.
I wish more people would know how to address this topic and understand how destructive filing serious issues as a part of adolescence can be. And I hope I can give someone the feeling that they’re not alone, that their happiness is worth fighting for, that they don’t deserve to suffer.
I would love for more people to reblog and share their own thoughts/experiences on this, for others to see and as a way to spark discussion on this
If you feel like learning about mental disorders/how to support yourself and others I recommend this website:
https://www.nami.org/Find-Support/Teens-Young-Adults/How-to-Help-a-Friend