As someone who has battled with depression for the past three years, I have come to learn more about the mental illness. Also, I have witnessed how others, including some of my closest friends, have viewed mental illness. "Just snap out of it," some would say. "You're overreacting." "Stop being so dramatic." "You just want attention."
Many people have failed to realize that words and phrases such as these truly do hurt and they are all untrue. Therefore, if you are someone who struggles with depression or any other type of mental illness, I have constructed a list of things to remind yourself of daily that it is okay to feel how you are feeling and that you are not alone.
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1. It is okay to feel how you are feeling.
Don't ever let anyone tell you that you have no right to be depressed. Depression is similar to having an internal conflict within yourself. The only person who can determine how you are feeling inside is you.
2. Your mental health is important.
It is important to take care of yourself through any type of sickness. If you have a fever, you grab a wet towel for your forehead. If you have a cough, you take medicine. If you have a headache, Advil or Tylenol becomes your friend. Your mental health is just as important. Many people push their mental health to the curb, but sometimes you need that extra push to help you get better. Suicide is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Part of this could be due to the fact that we fail to treat mental illness or we deny the help we need.
3. Do not judge yourself.
Sometimes, you are your own worst enemy. Even I have felt ashamed of myself for having a mental illness. I beat myself up and put myself down but then I realize that it is not my fault. It is not your fault either. Everyone and their bodies are different and that is what makes us all unique. #ImNotAshamed #LoveYourSelfie
4. Everything will be okay.
I know this one is hard to believe when you are in the moment of feeling as though your entire world is spiraling down, but everything will be okay.
It gets better.
Time heals.
Even though it is tough, try to keep these kind of positive thoughts in your head from time to time. Go on Pinterest and read through some uplifting quotes. This was actually recommended by my therapist. The key to this is to keep a positive mind and then you will feel it throughout the rest of your body. I'm not a bio major, but I know there is some science behind all of this.
5. You are strong. You are amazing. You are beautiful.
Yes, you are. You may disagree but soon enough you will realize that you have all of the true potential to reach all of your goals in life. You have the strength to do so. You have the strength to do absolutely anything.
