![]() ![]() ![]() Many times over the years I’ve seen people recoil when they suspect that perhaps that is the direct a conversation is about to turn, and they desperately scramble for anything that can immediately change the subject. This is another huge misconception, that by acknowledging an indirect attempt to connect on such a complex issue that somehow you are accepting responsibility to fix it. This is woeful, but it’s also great, right? Because by not knowing there was a problem there is no burden of responsibility on anyone else. ![]() When we hear of celebrities who suffered and finally took their own lives the message tends to be that so many close friends had no idea. By all means make your public affirmations of understanding, but at least take on board that an attempt to connect on this subject by someone you care about could well be cryptic and indirect. If right now you think that none of your friends are suffering like this then you’re probably wrong. If right now you suspect one of your friends is suffering like this then you’re probably right. So nobody can do anything to help, right? No. Even if broached by a friend they will probably deny there is a problem and feel even more distanced from the rest of the world. For someone in that seemingly hopeless void of depression and anxiety the last thing they are likely to do is acknowledge it, let alone talk about it. It seems most people think if they publicly display such understanding then perhaps a friend will come to them, open up, and calmly discuss their problems. But the reality is far different to that. These days it’s trendy for people to think they’re cool and understanding about mental illness, posting memes and such to indicate so. As someone who has continuously dipped in and out of chronic depression and anxiety for close to three decades now, and I’ve never previously spoken about the subject, I finally thought it was time I did. This really struck a chord and it’s been on my mind since then. It said about the former, this isn’t the face of depression, and about the latter, this is. “I saw a meme the other day with a picture of Marilyn Manson and Robin Williams. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |