Depressed people are simply lazy. She says she has anxiety, but she just says that to get attention. He’s obviously weak. He needs to “Man up!” Everyone has anxiety. What’s the big deal?
You know that these are just some of the stupidest and most ignorant things that I hear people say to those who are struggling with brain-based health matters. Honestly, have you ever known of any human being, getting up in the morning, throwing their feet over the edge of their bed, and proclaiming, “You know what, I feel like I just want to be lazy today. Let me just grab a whole cup of depression! I think I’ll take mine extra dark today.” Or, how about this. Imagine standing in a room with a whole lot of people. The person next to you says, “Man, it is so good to have social anxiety. It makes me feel ALIVE!”
And yet, this is how we treat those who are struggling with their mental health. We think that they are making excuses, are unmotivated, and generally just weak minded people in body and spirit. Can you imagine if we treated people with heart disease or cancer that way?!
Like so many things in this world, we struggle with things we just don’t simply understand. Those with anxiety and depression get dismissed all too often by others. I have many people I know and some I even love who are the smartest, most hardworking, compassionate people.
As for me, I struggle with both. I’ve never asked for a venti cup of “depression” or a grande cup of “anxiety.” However, if you truly know me…I love my cup of Joe! Extra dark too. Hey, don’t judge.
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