Feeling different

[Emgirl]

Hi all,

I've struggled with MI for a number of years but it hasn't been until recently far I have actually personally accepted it. I guess I always thought mental illness involved being sad, or feeling anxious all of the time. But mostly I've just felt flat and like life has lost its meaning. I guess this is why I never thought I had an MI in the first place I just thought I wasn't looking after myself properly or just draining myself too much. Never expected that I was actually suffering figured I was being weak. But how long can one just feel flat, lifeless and like nothing can get you out of that hole?

[MsPurple]

HI Emgirl and welcome to the forums

It is normal to take some time to accept you maybe struggling with a MI. It took me years to accept it and to want to get help. Just because you have a MI doesn't mean you are weak. One in four will experience mental illness in their lifetime. It can affect anyone. One of the saddest part is that it is estimated only around 20% get help. That is 80% (estimated) that go on struggling when they could getting support. I think the 20% who ask for help and deal with their issues head on are the strong ones. They want to get better and it shows they have some fight in them. I wish I had gotten help before I did. It was the best thing I did. I got strategies on how to deal with my anxiety and depression. Since getting help I can now cope. Trust me it is so good getting help and support is a sign of strength. With the right help and support you will not feel flat anymore and you feel better.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask any other questions or vent on the forums. We are here to support each other

[Emgirl]

Thank you for your reply. I certainly needed to read it today!

[HamSolo01]

Hi Emgirl.

Accepting that one has a mental illness is sometimes as hard as dealing with the mental illness itself.

I've been dealing with this for 4 years and i still struggle to accept it. Only VERY recently have i begun to make a solid change to improve my wellbeing.

Weakness begets weakness and those who deal with mental illness are not weak. Where they are weak they can be strongest - accepting the problem is the first step.

As a 23 year old guy there's a culture out there over what a "real man" is. Such a "man" neglects his wellbeing, sucks it up and gets on with life. Assuming you are a girl (given your name haha) you are probably aware of a stereotype that exists for you too.

I think these sorts of images are ingrained in society because of the media. Everyone is exposed to them constantly. Its so damn fake. When i realise this fact, im motivated to get help and take my mental health seriously. "At least that way im dealing with reality" i tell myself.

I hope you get better and that what i have said will help somehow.

All the best

[Ant71]

Hi Emgirl you have described my life. Over the years I have been in some low dark places and I just sort of thought it is just a phase and it will pass and everyone goes through this. The last one has been going on for 8 months. I have only just started thinking maybe there is more to this and in the last week I have started thinking about getting some help. I t is hard to admit I am not as strong as I thought I was (I know typical male) but I feel like this time nothing will get better if I don face it.

thankyou

[Emgirl]

Hey Ant71,

its good to know there are others going through the same thing out there! It helps a lot. I hope I can help you too!

i have just been back to the doctor and given antidepressants. This was probably my biggest fear - having to rely on medication! I cried the evening after my doctors visit thinking about how weak I was! I've accepted it a bit now and am willing to try and see if they will make a different. It won't happen over night but maybe it's a step in the right direction??

[Ant71]

Hi Emgirl thank you for your kind words I hope the anti depressants are working and they are helping you. I don't think you're week I think your very strong to face your problems and fix them. I still struggle. I like the forums it helps but I feel that I can't face my family and tell them how I feel. Life has been bad the last week I lost a close friend and my dad had to go to hospital. He has improved but they don't know how long he has. This was a shock and has not helped with my depression. Sorry for the rant but I don't know who else to tell how I feel. I do hope you are feeling better

thanks again