Humanity House
I have had PTSD since the age of 4. I have suffered from bouts of serious depression on and off my whole life. I developed OCD as a coping mechanism from childhood trauma. I first sought psychiatric help after my daughter was born 39 years ago. At the time Post Traumatic Stress Disorder was not clearly understood. Even the people who loved me the most, my family, treated me poorly.
While I was seeking treatment to find out why my brain was making my life unfunctional, I was told that I was crazy like a fox, accused of being a bad mother and told to just get over it and move on. I was introduced as the crazy sister, told I was wasting my time with therapist, and told that I was faking it. I was pushed aside by those who I wanted love from the most.
But I knew something wasnt right. I knew I was not pretending. I knew somewhere there was an answer for me that would help me navigate through this life. I knew my daughters were the most precious things to me. Not only did I survive and eventually thrive with mental illness, but I survived the stigma attached to it.
It was difficult and heartbreaking, at times, to be shunned and demeaned by the people I loved.
But there was no understanding at that time of what PTSD really was and how debilitating it can be.
Mental illness is real. There are those who walk around us who clearly have mental illness. Physically, the outward signs are there. But there are also millions of folks who walk around, ashamed of what they are feeling or how their brain is behaving. They dont seek treatment because of fear that someone might find out, or that they will seem untrustworthy or unlovable.
What a shame it is that our mental health is not as freely taken care of and talked about as our physical health. We feel free to talk about going into the hospital for a heart attack. But no one talks about a three-week stay at a psychiatric hospital to be treated for depression.
The answer to this is to talk about what is going on with you. Destigmatizing mental health and mental illness issues is critical. We do this by talking about our experiences. You are not the only one who has wanted to give up, has had crazy thoughts running continuously through your head, who has to drag yourself through every moment of every day. You are not the only one who has thought you just wished this life was over or that you have more grief and heartache then you can stand.
Talk about it and seek help. Talk to your regular physician. We are lucky enough to have SEK Mental Health facilities in our county. They are staffed with amazing therapists who are intelligent, kind and compassionate; who are ready to help you live the life that you deserve. There is a life out there for you. Grab it.
Do our world a favor and show kindness to everyone regardless of their mental health status. All of our world will be better for it. Kindness matters!
