Why write about my mental illness 🤪
Why write about my mental illness 🤪
Mental illness is not shameful they want you know. It’s not wrong to ask for help. Then why are people so secretive and embarrassed about it? If it’s so darn common, and doesn’t make you a bad person, then why be afraid to talk about? Isn’t it better to blow off the stigma by admitting that you have problems in your own life, but you are trying to learn and become a better person?
None of us are perfect. All of us struggle a bit on our lives, and it’s good to be honest about who you are and what you believe. I don’t think there is anything wrong with documenting where I am now and how I’m trying to improve myself and my life as I work towards a better tomorrow, through a combination of reading, watching and listening to Youtube videos, and in-person mental health counseling.
Self-introspection is a good thing. Why do I believe the things I do? Why am I so set in doing this certain ways, what are my cognitive biases? How can I overcome my biases to have a better perspective on the world? How I can become better at my presenting myself in the room, be better at taking appropriate risks? After all, there is no gain if there is no risk. Life is like markets, there is a lot of reward to taking more calculated risks and not fearing everything. A calculated risk not taken is an opportunity missed.
Most mental illness is kind of silly, as my therapist likes to point out. Whether it’s needless worry, obsessive thoughts, or risk aversion it’s mostly is non-harmful and you could probably live with it forever as you have from years past. Especially if it involves mostly low risk activities. But like an engine out of tune, you can run, but you won’t run smoothly or at peak efficiency. After all, the flywheel will keep an engine running even if it’s misfiring. That’s why it’s important to learn about my cognitive biases, and seek advice from a wide variety of trustworthy sources that can have keys to unlocking a better future.
This year seems like the time was right to finally fully address my long-term problems I’ve had with mental well-being. I have the nice corner office downtown and good salary at work. I am saving and investing, and that off-grid homestead I want is not that far in the future if I can stay the course. But I want to do better, and I can do better if I try.
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After a threatening health episode recently, I sought medical advice. They say they have to ask you mental health-related questions, like “Do you think you are depressed?” While I laugh as much as I can whenever I can, I must be realistic. My answer: “Do you catch the news often enough? With all that’s going on now, do you think it’s *appropriate* to be all smiles and happy? Is THAT not crazy?” That was 3 more questions instead, wasn’t it? All my life, I’ve been lucky enough to do all my reality checks with trusted friends with very varied opinions on things, and avoided pros like plague. About 20 years ago, I caught a warning against the concept of Public Mental Health, which is really a political trap in disguise. They will blur distinctions between anyone’s silly foibles and dangerous threat, and label opinions not useful to their manipulations as signs of mental illness. But maybe that’s why many play that hand close to the vest. One of my favorites: “Just because you’re paranoid doesn’t mean they aren’t out to get you…”