Mental Health: In Our Own Words

Summary

The speaker shares their journey with mental health issues, starting from teenage years due to family and personal struggles. They recount feelings of worthlessness, anxiety, and self-harm, emphasizing the difficulty of daily life and societal misconceptions. Despite the hardships, they found solace in pets, supportive networks, and the realization that they are not alone. The speaker encourages openness about mental health, seeking help, and focusing on the present for recovery.

Takeaways

• 🌀 The individual's depression began around the age of 16, influenced by parental divorce and school struggles.
• 😔 The loss of their father during high school and a breakup at 16 led to self-harming behaviors.
• 🔪 Recognizing the mental health issue at 15, the person was cutting and crying daily.
• 😱 After an attack, anxiety and panic attacks became overwhelming, with a feeling of not being able to stop self-destructive behaviors.
• 🌑 At the worst, they felt worthless and hopeless, as if a black cloud was constantly hanging over them.
• 🏃‍♀️ A mental breakdown led to a decision to run away from home, feeling the world would be better off without them.
• 📉 The mental health condition involves unpredictable highs and lows, making everyday tasks feel insurmountable.
• 🤯 The biggest challenge is that people often don't realize there's something wrong, especially with eating disorders where stereotypes abound.
• 🐾 Having pets and a support network of friends and family provides comfort and reassurance.
• 💪 Reminding oneself of past resilience and the desire to return to a happier, more relaxed state can be motivating.
• 🗣️ People's normal treatment and understanding can be very helpful, rather than tiptoeing around the individual.
• 🌟 Knowing that there is support and acceptance from others, even with mental health issues, can be comforting.

Q & A

At what age was the individual diagnosed with depression?

The individual was diagnosed with depression at the age of 16.

What were the initial triggers for the individual's mental health issues?

The initial triggers were the divorce of the individual's parents, struggling with school, and the death of their father during high school.

What behaviors did the individual engage in during their mental health struggles?

The individual engaged in self-harming behaviors such as cutting and purging.

When did the individual first realize they had a mental health problem?

They first realized they had a mental health problem at the age of 15 when they were cutting themselves every day and crying all the time.

What was the individual's experience with anxiety and panic attacks?

The individual experienced anxiety and panic attacks after an unspecified attack, which started to creep in and affect them.

How did the individual describe their mental state at their worst?

At their worst, the individual felt worthless, alienating, destructive, and hopeless about recovery.

What was the individual's perception of their future during their mental health crisis?

During the crisis, the individual felt they would never reach their ambitions or goals and that the world would be better off without them.

How did the individual cope with the highs and lows of their mental health?

The individual struggled to control the highs and lows and sometimes wanted to hide away, but reminded themselves that they were strong.

What was the hardest aspect of having a mental health problem for the individual?

The hardest aspect was that people did not realize something was wrong and that they could be very ill even if they looked fine.

How did the individual feel about the term 'schizo' and its associated stigma?

The individual did not like the term 'schizo' due to the stigma attached to it.

What support systems helped the individual in their recovery?

The individual found support in their two rescue dogs, a great network of friends and family, and knowing they were not alone in their diagnosis.

What advice does the individual have for others who might be experiencing similar mental health issues?

The individual advises overcoming the fear of talking about one's condition, focusing on the present, and asking for help.

How does the individual feel about their mental health journey?

Despite the struggles, the individual does not regret having mental health problems as it has contributed to who they are today.