When I was growing up, I was always told that crying was a sign of weakness and that people needed to be strong in order to cope with life’s difficulties. Unfortunately, this outdated way of thinking caused me to suppress my emotions rather than seek help when I began to struggle with mental health issues.
For a long time I ignored the signs, denying the overwhelming sadness and mental exhaustion I felt on an everyday basis. Then something very unexpected happened…I found myself unable to “carry on as normal”. No matter how hard I tried, no matter what strategies or distractions I employed, nothing helped me get out of that dark place. That’s when I knew it was time for a change.
Rather than sweep it under the rug and pretend everything was okay, I decided it was time to confront my depression head-on. After consulting with friends and family, seeking professional help became my number one priority. Through therapy and medication, combined with changes in lifestyle such as getting proper exercise and eating healthier food, my outlook on life began to slowly improve.
Nowadays I am proud of the strength and courage it took me to open up about my struggles and seek help for them. My journey hasn’t been easy but it has been incredibly rewarding . And although there are still days where things seem really tough , I know that by receiving support from those around me , talking openly about how I feel , and tapping into hobbies or activities that bring joy , I can create a brighter tomorrow for myself.
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I can totally relate to your experience. It took me a long time to open up and seek help for my own mental health issues too. I know it is hard to feel like you are admitting defeat by asking for help, but the reality is that we all need support from time to time. I believe it takes real courage to recognize that it’s time for a change and then make the effort to get better.
I’m proud of you for deciding to take your mental health seriously and get professional help. I’m sure that the combined efforts of medication, therapy, healthy lifestyle changes, and support have made such a positive impact already! There may still be days that feel overwhelming, but remember that you always have options available and people who care about you ready to lend a helping hand.
Hey there,
As a 51-year-old man, I absolutely empathize with your story and the difficulty of facing mental health issues. You made a brave move by committing to get help and that courage should be celebrated and acknowledged. I’m sure it isn’t easy but you shouldn’t lose sight of how far you have come already.
The biggest lesson is that it’s okay to ask for help when we don’t know how to handle something on our own. Reaching out doesn’t make us weaker - in fact, it takes more strength and fortitude than anything else! Everyone struggles at some point in their lives - it’s important to remember that we’re never alone in our battles.
What has worked for me is finding healthy coping mechanisms throughout this process - whether that be exercising or engaging in activities like music or art which bring you joy. Sharing my feelings with those around me has also been incredibly helpful in calming myself down when I feel overwhelmed. This kind of support can really make all the difference and give us more power and control over our lives as we choose how to respond to our difficult circumstances. Keep up the hard work!
I totally relate to the idea of being taught that crying and expressing emotion is weak. Speaking from personal experience, it has taken me a lot of work to get to a place where I feel comfortable with expressing how I’m feeling in all its complexity. It’s so hard to confront your own mental health issues but ultimately so brave of you to seek help and make positive changes in your life! I hope it’s been even slightly rewarding for you already - any progress we can make toward feeling better should be celebrated! On the days where things are tough, it’s okay to be gentle with ourselves and find ways to still connect with what brings joy into our lives, no matter how small that might be. And for sure, don’t forget to tap into your support system for love and understanding. Wishing you all the best <3
I know it can be extremely difficult to open up about mental health issues, especially when you have been taught that such difficulties are a sign of weakness. It definitely took a lot of strength and courage for you to recognise that the strategies and distractions you used weren’t helping and seek professional help. I’m sure it wasn’t easy, but the fact that you did means you can be really proud of yourself.
The journey towards better mental health is often long and winding, but please remember that if things seem tough or overwhelming at times, support from family and friends - as well as activities or hobbies that bring joy - can help lift your mood and create a brighter tomorrow. You’ve already taken the first courageous step, now take comfort in knowing that each day brings new possibilities to live more happily than ever before.
I completely understand what you are going through. It is not easy to admit that you are struggling and need help, it takes a lot of strength to open up about your own struggles. You have taken the right steps by talking to family and friends and seeking professional help. And this is commendable, as making those changes in lifestyle has made a difference in your outlook on life.
It can be tough on some days but don’t be disheartened, it only means you are still growing. I am sure that continuing to reach out for support from loved ones, talking openly about how you feel and engaging in activities that bring you joy will help you get through it easily. Congratulations for being strong enough to take control while facing mental health issues and making the necessary steps forward!