When you think of the word "illness," what do you think of? You probably think of some sort of physical illness like the flu or strep throat. While physical ailments are damaging, it is mental illnesses that are the silent killers.
Physical ailments are often easy to see and easily treated by doctors. Mental disorders aren't so simple. They are hard to see on the outside and very difficult to treat as they are life-long disorders. People with mental illness are often told "Take a deep breath," "Calm down," or even "Get over it." I remember my mom telling me as a child to "just let it go." People don't realize that it's not that easy. If I could've chosen to just let it go, I would have. I have OCD and I will always have to fight it.
Physical illnesses/conditions are unfortunate, but mental illnesses are forever. People with mental illnesses often don't receive the treatment that they need to be fully-functioning people. Why is that? Well, there is money. Treatment is expensive because most insurance plans don't include treatment for mental health. In addition, people just assume that if you appear okay on the outside, then you're probably doing fine. This is far from the truth. Mental health is just as important as physical health. My invisible illness has been more challenging to deal with than any physical illness that I have ever had.
Empathy is everything here. We must all consider each other's feelings as well as their physical well-being. We must be empathetic with others in order to help. If we just brush off serious mental illness warning signs, then we may put our loved ones in suffering for longer than desired. Take the time to check in with loved ones. Be sure to truly listen to how they are doing and take it seriously. Mental health is important and we need to treat it as such.
I recently did a speech all about how a tree represents my personality. Even though a tree doesn't seem to be struggling on the outside, it stands tall through storms and grows through life. I am a tree because even though my invisible illness puts me through struggles, I stand tall and strong. Even when I struggle with not asking for reassurance, I fight through the storm and grow through life. My invisible illness is a part of me, but it does not define me. I am so thankful for my life and my happiness. I do not take my life for granted.
Physical ailments are often easy to see and easily treated by doctors. Mental disorders aren't so simple. They are hard to see on the outside and very difficult to treat as they are life-long disorders. People with mental illness are often told "Take a deep breath," "Calm down," or even "Get over it." I remember my mom telling me as a child to "just let it go." People don't realize that it's not that easy. If I could've chosen to just let it go, I would have. I have OCD and I will always have to fight it.
Physical illnesses/conditions are unfortunate, but mental illnesses are forever. People with mental illnesses often don't receive the treatment that they need to be fully-functioning people. Why is that? Well, there is money. Treatment is expensive because most insurance plans don't include treatment for mental health. In addition, people just assume that if you appear okay on the outside, then you're probably doing fine. This is far from the truth. Mental health is just as important as physical health. My invisible illness has been more challenging to deal with than any physical illness that I have ever had.
Empathy is everything here. We must all consider each other's feelings as well as their physical well-being. We must be empathetic with others in order to help. If we just brush off serious mental illness warning signs, then we may put our loved ones in suffering for longer than desired. Take the time to check in with loved ones. Be sure to truly listen to how they are doing and take it seriously. Mental health is important and we need to treat it as such.
I recently did a speech all about how a tree represents my personality. Even though a tree doesn't seem to be struggling on the outside, it stands tall through storms and grows through life. I am a tree because even though my invisible illness puts me through struggles, I stand tall and strong. Even when I struggle with not asking for reassurance, I fight through the storm and grow through life. My invisible illness is a part of me, but it does not define me. I am so thankful for my life and my happiness. I do not take my life for granted.