Dear Troubled Souls,
So you’re sad. I am too. And that’s OK. At least that’s what everyone says, right? You have the “weepies” or you’re just “hormonal.” Well, maybe they are wrong.
This letter is to everyone out their suffering from some level of mental illness, which is too low for anyone to recognize as a real problem. Believe me, I feel you. Just because you aren’t always depressed or don’t have panic attacks daily, doesn’t mean you don’t suffer. I go through this struggle and I have been since I was in middle school. I was diagnosed with very mild OCD a year ago, and my life has since then changed. I was told that I have toxic guilt and anxiety, yet it’s not severe enough to need to be treated with anything other than counseling. I’m sure many of you reading this understand where I am coming from.
To be told that you are suffering, but not enough to really matter feels terrible. Well, I am writing to say that it does matter. YOU matter. I’m sorry that you have to not only suffer from anxiety, depression, or any other emotional turmoil, but in addition not really be recognized by others as having an illness. It’s excruciating to feel like no one understands; but, I want to help you.
I want you to know that you are truly loved. I know it may not always seem it, but you are. You do have friends. You have family who cares about you. They may not always understand why today you just want to cry, but that’s fine. They don’t need to. As long as you know that it is perfectly okay to feel that way. It is fine to feel like a pile of mud for no reason at all. It will get better and you will get through it, just like you always do. You are strong and worth so much, so please take my word for it.
I know firsthand how it feels to be simply “down in the dumps”. I also know firsthand that what I’m feeling is not simple and is much worse than other perceive it to be. I went through my youth using excuses such as lack of sleep to hide the reddened sadness in my eyes. What hurts the most is not knowing who to turn to. For the most part, there is usually someone to open up with, but you’re afraid to lose that person to the stigmatism behind your inner demons.
My biggest piece of advice to you is this: be yourself. I know it can be hard, but it’s how you’ll get through all the pain. You need to push past any stubbornness and seek out help from your loved ones. They want to help, so just open your heart and invite them in. Another piece of advice would be to not write your feelings off as nothing. Sometimes they may start out minor and stay that way, but there’s a possibility that they may develop into something more serious. Keep track of your emotions through journals, and stay on top of your feelings. It’s important to make sure you always feel in control of your life, and just know that there is always help out there. You are not alone; you are loved so much by everyone you know. You are a beautiful person, so don’t ever give up on yourself.
Love,
Gabby
