Mental Illness: A Summary And Analysis

It’s a feeling of deep hurt that twists my stomach into knots. I give everything I can and feel that I get nothing in return. All I want is connection, reliability, and for them not to be a downer all the time. I miss the person I use to know so well!

Even though I struggle with mental illness myself, I also get angry at others that struggle with it. Look, I get it! I know we tend to be very difficult to deal with. In an instant we can turn any moment into a stressful situation. We can be hard to deal with and there are going to be, probably a lot, of times where we let you down.

Hey, I’m an advocate for those of us with mental illness. I shouldn’t be encouraging you to get angry at us. Yet, I’m going to anyways. But, only under some very

A threat to your core beliefs.

Examples: religion and politics.

4. A threat to your sense of self-worth.

Example: someone talking bad about you.

Looking at why we get angry helps to better understand why there is nothing wrong with this natural response. When it comes to dealing with those we care about who have mental illness anger will happen. It’s a fact of life.

Let’s pretend that this anger is due to last minute canceled plans by your loved one struggling with depression and anxiety. Plus, this is not the first time they have done this.

So, let’s look at why you are feeling anger. When they canceled your plans, it made you angry because their mental illness is a threat to this person that you love and care about. You know their depression and anxiety is acting up, so you’re worried about them.

Or, it could also be that their cancelation goes against a core belief you have. Such as, spending time together as a family is a priority. Or, the principle that if you make a commitment then you should stick to it.

Another reason for anger could be, that the threat is against your own self-worth. Is there something about yourself that they can’t stand? Do they not think you are not worth spending time

It’s like if your friend had cancer and again canceled plans last minute due to not feeling well. You wouldn’t take your anger out on them. It wasn’t their fault. They have no control over how their illness is making them feel.

Why would it be any different for a mental illness instead of a physical one?

Instead, express your anger in a healthy way that doesn’t hurt the person with mental illness. Here are some ideas for how to achieve that:

· Allow yourself to cry about it.

· Go for a walk.

· Vent to a trusted friend.

· Create some art.

· Throw ice at a wall and watch it shatter.

· Scream aloud in a safe space like a car.

· Write a letter to the person with mental illness detailing how you feel but don’t send it.

Once you feel calm, go ahead, and reach out to your loved one. You can let them know that you missed them. (Be careful to not sound like you are trying to make them feel guilty for whatever happened.) Chances are, that they are as angry at their mental illness as you are.

Then, check and see if there is anything you can do to help them out. Still, it’s most important that you let them know how much you care about them. If they are struggling with their illness, then your love for them is what they need to