smilingsoul
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2019
- Messages
- 228
- Reaction score
- 86
I'm one of the lucky people who rolled anxiety and depression in the disadvantage part of character generation 
. It can be two sides of the same coin; my anxiety can trigger depression, or vice versa. Its another paradox of my personality: most people would describe me as optimistic (sometimes foolishly so). For the most part I agree. When depression is active though, it can really twist my perception of what's going on around me. One thing that helps me get through is remembering that I have felt like this previously, and that it doesn't stay like this all the time. I go years without anything other than the ups and downs most people have. In fact, I'm blessed with very good health otherwise, a fit body, and enough brains that I can earn a living off my ideas, education, and skills. One thing I do however, even when I'm feeling fine, is advocate for mental health awareness with everyone I know. I try to normalize our condition, to try and lift the secrecy and shame. Its been very liberating for me as well, since I don't have to hide it from my boss when I'm struggling, or from my family and friends. It can be surprising, but friends often view it as a gift of trust when you share these struggles with them. Assuming they aren't therapists though, take their advice as expressions of love, rather than as actions to follow - there's a long way to go before most people can understand the unique challenges we face, and the remedies that help with normal blues or worries are probably pretty weak sauce. They do like feeling like they are helping - and anyone who does start avoiding you wasn't truly a friend at all.
. It can be two sides of the same coin; my anxiety can trigger depression, or vice versa. Its another paradox of my personality: most people would describe me as optimistic (sometimes foolishly so). For the most part I agree. When depression is active though, it can really twist my perception of what's going on around me. One thing that helps me get through is remembering that I have felt like this previously, and that it doesn't stay like this all the time. I go years without anything other than the ups and downs most people have. In fact, I'm blessed with very good health otherwise, a fit body, and enough brains that I can earn a living off my ideas, education, and skills. One thing I do however, even when I'm feeling fine, is advocate for mental health awareness with everyone I know. I try to normalize our condition, to try and lift the secrecy and shame. Its been very liberating for me as well, since I don't have to hide it from my boss when I'm struggling, or from my family and friends. It can be surprising, but friends often view it as a gift of trust when you share these struggles with them. Assuming they aren't therapists though, take their advice as expressions of love, rather than as actions to follow - there's a long way to go before most people can understand the unique challenges we face, and the remedies that help with normal blues or worries are probably pretty weak sauce. They do like feeling like they are helping - and anyone who does start avoiding you wasn't truly a friend at all.