Mental Health Awareness
So a more serious post and sorry about how ridiculously late
it is! J
Many people when they think of mental health awareness tend
to think of depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, anxiety etc . It’s
understandable. I do to. However there are many things to do with mental health
that many people do not know. Mental health issues can be a serious destroyer
of physical health. Mental health issues can also be left completely uncaught
because people can have high functioning mental health issues. This sometimes
can be worse than just having your basic mental health issues actually. I know
because I am a sufferer and many times it has played holy hell on my physical
health. Let me explain.
High functioning depression and anxiety is what I have.
Previously diagnosed but I stopped attending GP meeting s because I felt I was
wasting my time (please do not follow my suit if you suffer, we all have
individual needs and coping mechanisms). Mine a product of years of abuse and
emotional neglect. I mention this because I want people to know that you can
improve and attain positivity no matter where you are starting from. So now it’s
untreated and I deal with that shit. And honestly it’s not something I tell
people about because I hate the stigma. It’s something I hide very well, and my
life looks totally together. The average person would think I totally have my
shit together. They think I am totally dynamic and strong. Not many people know
that actually when you’re talking to me I probably suffered three panic attacks
and my anxiety is at 70mph trying to figure out the correct response to you
communicating with me. It’s something I am constantly dealing with. 24/7. I
even get panic attacks as I am about to sleep because I am worried that I don’t
have time to sleep I have got way too much shit I need to be doing. Basically
high functioning anxiety is where you have anxiety but it does not “cripple”
your life. You are still highly functioning. It is the same with depression.
Many people would ask so what’s the big deal if you can get
on with your life? The deal is that actually it’s torturous. You suffer in
silence. And it makes life very hard and it takes a massive toll on your immune
system. There’s actual science to it. And the suffering in silence means you
deal and deal and then you have massive episodes. So for anxiety you would end
up breaking down because you just don’t want these panic attacks no more, and
this breakdown can involve heart palpitations, sweating, struggling to breathe
and feeling very faint, and puking. Depressive episodes . . . .well you lose
the will to live and don’t want to face the world. You withdraw. You ghost for
a couple days so no one knows your issue and then you come back highly
functioning again. If you manage to pick yourself up(some people don’t and that’s
how you end up with people you were talking to who seemed so happy the other
day dead the next). Technically high-functioning can be more dangerous because
it’s untreated and/or not worked around.
I am in no way telling my story for sympathy. I’ve got
mechanisms in place that help me deal with the high functioning silent dangers.
I got myself with this. But I guess I wanted to write this to let people know
that this stuff is very real, and just because it’s high functioning it’s no
less serious than the standard or chronic versions. So when you encounter
people in life just realise you don’t know what they are dealing with, always
be kind. Always come from a place of love. Don’t judge, don’t stigmatize, be open-minded
and gentle. Stigma is what stops people from admitting they may need the help,
and what can be the cause of silent killers like high functioning depression.
If you’re interested in this, feel you relate, or feel you
may know someone suffering with such a thing I have provided some links at the
end of this. Basically reading all of the links gives you a better picture. The
same symptoms of standard depression and anxiety are suffered, just hidden
better and creep out in more subtle ways, like fidgety hands (anxiety), lack of
awareness (depression).
All love people. Love could cure many things. And some
people just need a little love in their day. It might help them deal!
One love!
Symptoms of high functioning depression:
Tips for people who may know someone:
Symptoms of high functioning anxiety: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Anxiety/Pages/Symptoms.aspx
Tips for people who may know someone:
And if you related to anything I said, or any of the links don’t
feel alone! You’re not. Trust me reaching out to at least one person can help
you put mechanisms in place that help you deal! Reach out!!!
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