Sod Off: An Angry Defense of Anxiety and Depression
The moment I clicked on the link, I knew it was a mistake. This topic hit too close to home to go on about my day like nothing had happened. It was a video of a girl who suffers from anxiety and depression trying to explain to her mother what it was like to be her. The tears streamed down my face as I recalled some of the hardest years of my life.
Do you want to know what’s harder than having a child who suffers with anxiety and depression? Living in a world with people who think they have all the answers.
Truth be told, if all of the meddlers would have left us alone, we would’ve been just fine. I loved the bubble we lived in—the one where she felt safe to express herself, and I was confident that she was going to be okay. But “they” were relentless with unwanted, “well intentioned” advice and probing questions...“Have you tried medication? I wish you would just…” all the while, they would grit their teeth and nod, as I explained all of the things we had done.
“Do you want to know what’s harder than having a child who suffers with anxiety and depression? Living in a world with people who think they have all the answers.”
Here’s the thing, for a few years I was like them. I thought I knew better. If she would only change her outlook, read her Bible more, take medication…she would be all better and start buying the lies the world is selling us.
But then I slowed down and started to meet her where she was…is it so bad that she sees the world for what it is? I had to get over myself and stop worrying about what the world might think.
What’s the difference between the people who suffer from mental illness and those who have a physical disability? We can’t be fully aware of mental illness, because we don’t see it coming at us like we would a wheelchair or prosthetic leg. They are both debilitating, but one can’t be seen—and no one has time to conjure up a politically correct response to it’s existence.
It takes a special person to take the time and effort to listen and feel what someone with anxiety and depression is going through and trust me, I am no expert. But I am so thankful God gave me the opportunity to see the world through my beautiful daughter’s eyes and I wouldn’t change her for the world.
If you, or someone you know is struggling with mental health, there are a plethora of resources to help you understand what you or your loved one is going through. Here are a few mental health advocates I tune into:
Dr. Caroline Leaf
Nicole Sachs LCSW
The Brain Coach
I pray that you find the right people to walk alongside you. Dig deep to find out who you are and what you get to do with all of that goodness. Remember, YOU ARE WORTH FIGHTING FOR!