It’s not just you

Recently mental health has had a lot of attention and it’s become much more acceptable to talk about the issues we all face.

Finding out it’s not just you can be one of the most reassuring experiences on the road to recovery. Whether that’s learning your diagnosis so you know you aren’t imagining it, or talking to someone with a similar experience, knowing that you aren’t the only one in the world with these issues can mean a lot.

When you are experiencing anxiety or depression it can feel incredibly isolating. You are trying to fight against it to keep functioning, but it can be like quicksand, the more you struggle the quicker you sink.

By talking to others with similar experiences you get the reassurance that there is hope, and it’s a great way to find out tips and tricks that others have found to pull themselves out of the mire.

To do that though we have to be brave and take the first step. Admitting to ourselves that we are not okay. That’s often against everything we’ve learnt, but it isn’t weakness to ask for help. Talking about my experiences openly I’ve often had people say they admire that I can do so. The majority of people will respect you for facing your demons, it’s something they probably struggle with themselves.

So start those conversations. Even if to begin with it’s with strangers online anonymously. Find a community that has shared experiences and support each other to get better. We are stronger together!

If you aren’t ready to talk about your issues, start listening. I’ve recently been enjoying  why am i sad? – a podcast where four people talk about their issues and each fortnight set a goal to try. They don’t always meet that goal, but that makes it even more relatable. I find it heartening to listen to other people discuss how they aren’t perfect, it’s a human connection and their suggestions for self improvement can be inspiring too.

No matter what you decide to do going forward – Remember you aren’t alone!