Why You Need To Speak Out About Anxiety and Depression

This morning I woke up to the news of Kate Spade. The NYC designer, who without a doubt has made an incredible brand. Now, I’m an MK girl for life, but when you see an incredible talent like that you need to recognize it and Kate Spade was just that: talent.

One day we’ll all be sent home to hang out with Christ, but this particular death struck a chord with me. You see, the first headline I saw was “Kate Spade found dead by apparent suicide.” *Deep Sigh*

The moment I saw the word suicide my heart broke. Broke into a million little pieces. Why? Because I get, to an extent, what she was feeling. The weight of the world on her shoulders and the feeling that she had no one who understood so the only option was to take her own life.

You see, we live in a world of social media and filters. You post photos of birthdays, milestones, parties, get-together, accomplishments, etc. We have filters for goodness sake to help enhance our photos to make them even more perfect. Yet, this ends up leaving us with the feeling that everyone has that picture-perfect life, except for me. Am I right? I mean we don’t see the fights you have with your spouse or the time you ate straight cereal for four days because you didn’t have the time or money to buy groceries. We don’t show the world our struggles.

Now, am I saying, “Oh you had a full-blown fight with a loved one let’s tell the entire world about it on social media.” No, my viewpoint is some things needs to stay off the net and be kept between the people having the disagreement.

What I am trying to say is what if next time you were feeling overwhelmed you called up your sister and said, “Hey, I just have to get this off my chest.”

What if we talked about the breakdown in Target or the time you had no clean clothes because life just got way too insane. Instead of pretending like these things don’t exist.

What if we talked about our struggles more. How would that change the viewpoint people have with anxiety and depression, let alone any other mental illness? Would we feel more together? Would we feel less alone?

I’ll never forget what my husband told me when we were deciding if I should go see my therapist again for my anxiety and depression. We were in the car and I’m half bawling because driving straight up terrifies me if the conditions are not perfect. He proceeds to give one of his analogies so sure I’m almost having a panic attack, but let’s talk analogies. (The kid loves his analogies.) He goes, “Faith if we got in a car accident and you broke your leg where would you go?” “Obviously the doctor, why?” “Faith, you’re hurting and instead of going to someone who can help you, you’re trying to heal your broken leg, on your own, with your own devices.”

BAM! At it again by owning me with analogies. Seriously, the kid is a wizard at them. He hit the nail on the head. You’re 100% right. I wasn’t going to a therapist and helping myself. Why? Because I was terrified to tell people I had to see a therapist. In my mind that meant I was weak and that I couldn’t handle it. Which I didn’t want to admit.

So, in my brain, instead of going and getting tools to get better I stayed stressed, anxious, and all around miserable all because I didn’t want to get the stigma that I wasn’t strong enough. To be honest, go through a couple of panic attacks and tell me that doesn’t make you stronger. Because it does.

So the next time you see a friend or loved one who just doesn’t quite seem themselves or even if they do, (we get really good at faking that smile), ask them how they are doing. Truly ask them. Not, “Oh, I’m being polite.” NO! Full on ask them and make them truthfully answer. Remind them it won’t be a burden. That you won’t judge. That you will try to understand. That you can just listen without giving advice.

To people with anxiety and depression…

TALK! This is your life that God blessed you with. I get that it’s hard. You just want to curl up in bed, under the covers and pretend you’re okay. I’ve been there. Know though that there are Pastors, loved ones, counselors, therapists…so many people who only want you happy. Please, talk to someone. It isn’t solely my husband or my therapist’s job to make sure I’m not struggling with my anxiety and depression. No, that is my job to speak to people about my feelings, but they are there to help, support and guide me through my journey.

Lastly, know that God created you and He doesn’t make mistakes. You are a son or daughter of the King. You are powerful beyond all measure. Through Jesus, you are strong and capable. You, my dear friend, have a God who is stronger and more powerful than whatever is weighing you down at the moment.

 

*If you or someone you know struggles with suicidal thoughts please call National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255*