Lets Talk Mental Health

If you are a loyal reader of my blog, and have been round for a while then you will be aware that I have anxiety, depression, ocd and aspergers syndrome. A lot of people suffer from mental health. In fact 1 in 10 people have anxiety and 1 in 5 people have depression roughly in the UK. 

Anxiety and depression is often spoke about, but still not as regular as it should be. There is this thought behind anxiety that if you are worried you suffer from anxiety, just like how if you're sad then you're depressed. Most of the time that is not the case. There are so many symptoms behind each individual mental health issue, not just feeling sad or not wanting to do something. 

Aspergers syndrome. What is it? To be honest even though I have aspergers and have been diagnosed for 7 years now, I still don't know what it is. When I first found out that I had aspergers I struggled a lot. I just wanted to be the same as everyone else, "have nothing wrong with me" and "be normal". It wasn't until I was about 13 that I realised that having aspergers and being on the autistic spectrum, it just makes me different and being different isn't bad. Everything affects each individual person differently and for me it affects my social skills. I find it difficult to socialise and interact with other people, but then I love learning. Some people are social and struggle intellectually. 

When I was growing up I used my mental health as an excuse, which a lot of people do. It's an excuse to make our behaviour and actions more accepted. One of the main reasons I think I used to do this and other people do, is because we there's a lack of understanding and knowledge. 

For some unknown reason there is this need out there in the world in wanting to cure mental health issues. Whether that be minor or severe. Instead of trying to cure "get rid" of all mental health issues and illnesses, why not offer our support? Don't pick apart and critique everything about what a person is doing wrong, instead ask how they are feeling and how you can help. Be present.

Just because somebody might look ok or say that they are fine, doesn't mean they are. Get to know and understand the signs and give your love and support. If you want to read about my mental health then you can read that here. You can also read about my anxiety in more detail here. 

xoxo

Lea-Mai