Date: May 1, 2023
I don’t personally face the challenges of mental illness. My journey toward understanding its depths began when I married my husband nearly two decades ago. He is a kind and gentle man who has been grappling with anxiety for most of his life. This isn’t just the occasional nervousness or apprehension that many of us experience; it’s a profound disorder that causes his mind to spiral into panic without any apparent cause.
Now, as a parent to a teenager who also deals with anxiety alongside a specific clinical phobia, I’ve come to realize just how consuming these struggles can be. Before this, I had no grasp of the significant impact a phobia can have on daily life. It’s astonishing to witness the effort required for those affected by anxiety disorders to simply carry out everyday tasks. While they are capable of functioning, it often demands an extraordinary amount of energy compared to those of us who navigate life without our thoughts constantly undermining us.
Misunderstanding Mental Health Challenges
For those who have not faced mental health challenges, it can be easy to misinterpret the behaviors of those who do. There’s a tendency to believe that if individuals just adopted the coping strategies we use in moments of fear or sadness, they could easily overcome their struggles. It’s tempting to attribute these issues to upbringing, parenting, or past trauma, but while these factors can play a role, they don’t universally explain mental illness. It’s also common to mistakenly assume that individuals are merely avoiding responsibilities or choosing to feel down.
What we need to remember is that mental health conditions, like anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD, and others, are not choices—much like physical conditions such as diabetes or cancer. Yet, society tends to show more compassion for physical ailments. Why is it easier to empathize with someone suffering from a physical illness than with someone battling a mental health issue?
The Invisibility of Mental Health Struggles
Part of the reason is that mental disorders often manifest as extreme versions of emotions we all feel. Everyone can relate to moments of anxiety or sadness, leading us to think we comprehend what those with mental health issues experience. However, until I witnessed the reality of clinical anxiety firsthand and engaged in deep conversations with my loved ones about their internal struggles, I mistakenly believed my occasional nervousness equated to their daily battles.
Another layer to this misunderstanding is the invisibility of mental health challenges. Most people would not recognize that my husband and daughter are dealing with such profound issues. Their struggles are largely internal, and only those closest to them see the extent of their experiences. To outsiders, they might come across as reserved or quirky, unaware of the turmoil beneath the surface.
For instance, my daughter’s emetophobia (fear of vomiting) might seem like a common dislike until you observe her repeatedly questioning if the mayonnaise we just bought is safe or her inability to attend karate class due to the overwhelming fear of someone potentially having a stomach virus. To the casual observer, she is simply a sweet and intelligent teen, but only her family and close friends see how her phobia manifests daily.
The Journey of Understanding and Support
Those of us who care for individuals facing these mental health challenges understand the immense effort they put forth. We recognize that treatment often involves a lot of trial and error and is more about managing symptoms than finding a cure. We know that tackling mental health issues requires a multi-faceted approach and demands patience through a journey that can seem like two steps forward and one step back.
While medication can be beneficial, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. Anyone claiming to have a quick fix or a miracle cure for mental health issues likely lacks true understanding of the complexities involved. Importantly, those with mental health challenges are not weak; in many ways, they demonstrate incredible strength.
Cultivating Empathy and Reducing Stigma
For those of us who do not deal with these issues, it’s crucial to recognize our limitations in understanding. This acknowledgment should inspire us to cultivate empathy and minimize snap judgments. With nearly 1 in 5 people facing mental illness each year, it’s clear that we are all connected to someone battling unseen struggles. Reducing the stigma surrounding mental health can significantly aid our friends and family members as they navigate their silent battles.
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Summary
Understanding mental illness requires empathy and awareness of the struggles faced by those affected. Many individuals battle anxiety and phobias that are often invisible to outsiders. By acknowledging these challenges and reducing stigma, we can offer support and understanding to those around us.