Fighting the Stigma: Lets Talk About Anxiety

Today, since it is mental health awareness month, I wanted to talk about a topic very close to my heart: anxiety.

It's no secret that there is a huge stigma around mental health, even the most common mental illnesses, i.e. anxiety and depression. Luckily, we have more and more people in the media who are willing to open up and talk about their own experiences. This is a huge step forwards, as it means many more people feel able to reach out and ask for help when they need it. It also lets people know that they are not alone and no one has to suffer in silence, there will always be someone willing to listen and help in any way they can.

I have experienced firsthand how isolating and scary anxiety can be, and how it convinces you that no one cares and you're just an annoyance, a burden. It is so important to recognise that this is the illness speaking, you are loved and your feelings are valid. Speak to a friend, a family member, even a teacher, someone will help you and give you the support you need. 

Anxiety, and other mental illnesses, have a way of making you feel like the only person in the world feeling what you're feeling. This is not true. In the UK alone, 1 in 4 people will experience some sort of mental health problem each year (x), so you are far from alone. The most difficult thing to do is find the courage to speak out and tell someone you are suffering, once you do that you will be surprised at how much support you will receive.  

There is so much help available, you just need to speak to your doctor and find what works for you. Some people see an improvement solely through medication; this didn't work for me because I'm so forgetful so I rarely remembered to take it. I also didn't like the idea of having to rely on tablets just to function normally, I wanted to fix my brain, not just disguise the problem (this is just how I felt, obviously medication works really well for some people and is definitely worth a try).

If you don't think that medication or counselling is for you, there is so much great self-help out there, from books, to YouTube videos, to just general advice, you just need to know where to look. Take time to do things that relax you; take a bath, listen to some music, read a book, draw, colour in. If it can be helped, don't put yourself in anxiety-inducing situations. Know your triggers and try your best to avoid them. Make sure you have a safe space for when everything gets too much, whether that be your bedroom, or up a tree somewhere, just have somewhere that is totally yours, your little sanctuary.

Finally, I know it's been said a million and one times, but just remember that it does get better. Hold on to that, picture a future, two, five, or ten years from now, where mental illness does not control you, where you are free and happy and living the life you have always imagined. It will happen, your mental illness does not define you, you are so much stronger than you could possibly imagine. Keep fighting you little warriors!!

Here are just a few of the books that have helped me:

Calm by Michael Acton Smith

The Chimp Paradox by Professor Steve Peters

Anxiety as an Ally by Dan Rykart

Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig (I would go as far as to say this book changed my life)

Furiously Happy by Jenny Lawson

Here are a couple of useful links and helplines:

http://samaritans.org.uk/

http://mind.org.uk/

Love you all lots