Recommended for you

Start writing a post

Mental Health

10 Things You Should Learn About Anxiety And Depression, Whether You Struggle With Them Or Not

On the outside, I am an ordinary girl. On the inside, I am a mess of anxiety and depression.

Jordan Dobbs

Dec 18, 2018

Baylor University

352

Burst

I have both anxiety and depression. I don't speak much of it, but it is time for that to change. Mental illness is a part of who I am and I have learned to accept that. Two years later, I have just now accepted it. And that's OK. However, just because I accepted it does not mean that it vanishes or that I can control its nature. I have just become more aware of it in my life and learned how to manage.

These are a few things I wish you knew about my life with anxiety AND depression. Hopefully, this can help you if you are struggling as well to accept it as a part of who you are and understand what life is like with it.

1. Mental illness does not run on a schedule.

This is not something one can "outgrow" or ignore. It has an overwhelming presence that at times feels like you are caged within its grasp. My anxiety and/or depression comes about suddenly and unexpectedly. One day I could be completely fine without any sort of slip up, however, today could be a different story — so could tomorrow.

2. Somedays I have no energy, and that's not because I am lazy.

I may not have the energy to put a smile on my face — let alone leave the house. My mind could be racing with thoughts, but I show no signs of it. Every day I am at risk of a different version of myself that could be presented with anxiety and depression.

3. I am constantly worrying and overthinking.

More often than not, I am asking myself, "Did I do something wrong?" "Is this because of me?" "What if I wasn't involved?" I continuously worry about your opinions of me, questions of my life, and what I should do. I am riddled with a thousand thoughts that may have no direction, but they still present a constant threat to my mental state.

4. Sometimes I feel like I have failed.

I question if anything I have accomplished is worth the stress. I don't know if I am on the right path in life — that I should be doing something else, something better. I feel as if nothing I can do can measure up to anything. My anxiety pushes me to compare myself to others, and my depression pushes me to feel worthless.

5. My emotions are all over the place.

My emotions can flip as easily as a light switch. One minute, I can be lively and upbeat. Then one little inconvenience could occur and BAM — sadness and darkness engulf me in its shadow. I can't control these changes, just like I cannot control my mental illness. This is just a symptom of what I must deal with on a daily basis.

6. Please check in on me.

I may not realize I have been acting the way I am — a bit off and unfocused. With someone/anyone to ask me how I am at that moment can help me realize myself. I need you to act as my alarm clock to wake me out of the daze I may be unknowingly immersed in. Sometimes, I may need a good shake back into reality with the softest reassurance that I can be happy.

7. Distractions and Interactions.

Instead of saying "Sorry" or "It'll be better tomorrow." or "Everything will be OK." to my mood of the moment, please listen to me. Please help me find something to hold on to. Even if that means trying to find a distraction, please do so. I may need human interaction to lift my spirits and my whirlpool of thoughts. I need your love and support not because I am needy or clingy, but because I am desperate for a way out of my darkness and this may be the best solution. Whether it be a movie or a good chat, it could help.

8. Please don't abandon me.

Every day I fear being left in the dust. I worry if today could be the day someone or everyone will walk out on me. To be stranded alone with my thoughts. I assure that I do not try to be difficult or complicated — I do my best to control myself and at times it is a losing battle.

9. I care A LOT because I am afraid to be alone.

Like I said above, I am terrified of being left alone with my anxiety and depression. What am I to do if they are my only friends by my side? They follow me everywhere and I cannot be a victim to their darkness.

10. And finally, mental illness does not make me a leper.

Anxiety and depression may loom over my head, but do not worry, they are not contagious. Just because I suffer with a mental illness (or two) does not mean you have to keep your distance from me. Silence or space will not help me feel any better about myself, my thoughts will circle through the stated worries. You could be the light I need in my life for me to see happiness.

Just because I may appear happy on the outside, does not mean I am not broken on the inside. I am not weak, I am a broken girl in search of support to put the pieces back together. I do not say any of this as to "seek attention" — no, I say this to make you aware of who I am. The real me. Every day I am nervous about the day's events.

Every day, I battle pieces of my anxiety and my depression. They may not both be present at the same time — it could be one day and another the next. I could be drowning under the weight of my thoughts at any moment — trapped underneath a cold avalanche of anxiety and depression balled together. And finally, I ask you to support and love me and your friends who endure this, to not turn away. We need your comfort to get to the end of the day sometimes.

mental health

Report this Content

This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

Student Life

The 5 Phases Of Finals

May the odds be ever in your favor.

Essex County, NJ

324

Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less

finals

Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

University of Dayton

1956

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less

library

Student Life

26 Things to Thank Our Roommates For

Who knows where we would be without them.

Michigan State University

1305

StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less

roommates

Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Butler University

7182

Disney magic kingdom castle on new years

StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less

disney movies

Recommended for you

10 Things You Should Learn About Anxiety And Depression, Whether You Struggle With Them Or Not

On the outside, I am an ordinary girl. On the inside, I am a mess of anxiety and depression.

1. Mental illness does not run on a schedule.

2. Somedays I have no energy, and that's not because I am lazy.

3. I am constantly worrying and overthinking.

4. Sometimes I feel like I have failed.

5. My emotions are all over the place.

6. Please check in on me.

7. Distractions and Interactions.

8. Please don't abandon me.

9. I care A LOT because I am afraid to be alone.

10. And finally, mental illness does not make me a leper.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

May the odds be ever in your favor.

Phase One: The “I got this” phase

Phase Two: The “I have time” phase

Phase Three: The uncontrollable sobbing phase

Phase Four: The “help me, I've fallen and I can't get up” phase

Phase Five: The rejoicing phase

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

Who knows where we would be without them.

1. Thank you for laughing at my jokes, even when they really aren’t funny.

2. Thank you for singing unbearably loud with me all the time.

3. Thank you for letting me vent to you for hours about anything and basically being my personal therapist.

4. Thank you for ordering pizza with me at 2 in the morning.

5. Thank you for all the movie days when we don’t feel like moving.

6. Thank you for being my workout buddy everyday.

7. Thank you for sharing your closets with me.

8. Thank you for taking naps with me at random hours during the day.

9. Thank you for cleaning our home with me when we absolutely need to.

10. Thank you for all the rides when it’s late and you don’t want me to walk home alone in the dark.

11. Thank you for studying with me in our kitchen when we didn't want to go the library.

12. Thank you for making dinner with me.

13. Thank you for helping with my hair, makeup and outfit every time we go out.

14. Thank you for taking countless ugly pictures with me.

15. Thank you for not judging me when I go too long without showering.

16. Thank you for making our apartment feel like a second home.

17. Thank you for being there through all of our boy troubles.

18. Thank you for giving me a hug when I feel homesick.

19. Thank you for getting excited with me when one of us gets a good grade on an exam.

20. Thank you for still being my friend and not judging me when I say or do dumb things.

21. Thank you for telling me what I should do when I am sick.

22. Thank you for dancing horribly with me everywhere we go.

23. Thank you for staying up super late with me when we aren’t tired or can’t sleep.

24. Thank you for being super weird with me.

25. Thank you for all the unforgettable college memories.

26. And most of all, thank you for being the best friends a girl could have.

I may or may not be stressing right now.

1. "What do I have to study for?"

2. "What class do I need to study for the most?"

3. "I’m going to ace this."

4. "Focus!"

5."I have no idea what I'm reading."

6. "I should call my smart friend about this."

7. "I’m going to fail. I’m going to fail."

8. "I’m dropping out of school."

9. "What grade do I have to get on the final to pass the class?"

10. "Oh, no, I have to do good."

11. "I shouldn’t have procrastinated all semester."

12. "I wanna go to bed."

13. "We did not learn this!"

14. "I should go get food."

15. "Why do we even have finals?"

16. "I don’t want to be at the library."

17. "Get off your phone."

18. "I can watch Netflix for like 20 minutes and then go back to studying."

19. "I shouldn’t have watched Netflix."

20. "You have to study now!"

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

Remember you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine. — Snow White

The past can hurt. But the way I see it, you can either run from it or learn from it. — Rafiki

You don't have time to be timid. You must be bold and daring. — Lumière

If watching is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. — Laverne

Sometimes the right path is not the easiest one. — Grandmother Willow

Always let your conscience be your guide. — Jiminy Cricket

To infinity and beyond. — Buzz Lightyear

Life is a journey to be experienced, not a problem to be solved. — Pooh

Let it go. — Elsa

If you can't say something nice, don't say nothin' at all. — Thumper

Subscribe to our
Newsletter