People always say that sharing your problems, helps you heal and what not. But I find in my case it usually drives people away, my anxiety and negativity but my friends oughta know its not really me but cause of the known fact my mental illlness was triggered recently. I just seem to frustrate them by not taking their advice or saying without anger that they downplay my feelings. They don't take this well and leave me. Is it better to just shut up?
Hey there, lovely.
I’m really sorry you’ve been having trouble with your friends, anon. It sounds like a really frustrating situation.
It can be really difficult trying to explain feelings to people who have never had a mental illness, as sometimes they can’t grasp the magnitude of how much it affects your life.
Sometimes I find people invalidate mental illnesses without even realising it. They say things like ‘well everyone feels like that’ or ‘just snap out of it’ and they just don’t understand that is 100% not that simple. They think it’s easy to just follow a small piece of advice and that everything will be fine. They don’t realise that it is so much more in ground than that. It is very wrong and I really wish everyone was educated, anon. But unfortunately that is not the case. And I’m really sorry that you have to deal with that.
I don’t think it’s better to shut up, in my opinion. Do you think there’s anyone who would be able to listen and understand you better than your peers? Maybe a teacher, a guidance counsellor, doctor or a family member? I’d really recommend you speak to someone else, lovely, someone that can give you better advice than your friends, as they obviously don’t really understand what you’re going through. <3
I hope things get better for you,
Love Louise xox