Hiya everyone! Today’s post is gonna be about why I choose to blog about my mental health. It’s a question I get quite frequently when my blog comes into conversation with friends (which is not often but still!) and I never normally know how to answer it apart from because I want to.
I don’t really have an outright reason why I blog about my mental health or lack there of, I just one day chose to write a blog post and it went from there. I think it’s partially because I’m aware of the stigmas associated with mental health issues and the lack of people talking about it when they do suffer.
One in four people struggle with some mental health condition every year and it just confuses me that it’s not spoken about as much as it should be. The fact that THAT many people suffer and it’s rarely talked about is so annoying! It’s known that even though that many people struggle, only one in six people only come forward for help and support. It’s heartbreaking to me that so many people struggle but not as many ask for help. I also read that one in eight people actually receive help but that’s another story for another post.
It’s because of the stigma that we as a society has given mental health. And that’s why I blog about my mental health. I just hope that someone struggling and doesn’t want to ask for help sees my posts and realises that struggling doesn’t make them a bad, “crazy” person. I just really hope that.
I want to become the voice of support. I want to turn something that I have to battle through day in day out, into a positive thing for others. That may sound cringe but I literally thought if I have to have these terrible mental health conditions, then I will put some good into it. I will show people that you can be a fully functioning person in the world but you can just as easily be the opposite.
I also blog because for so so so long, I didn’t have a voice. I kept my mental health a secret and struggled incredibly with it. After many difficult years, I’ve got the strength to voice my difficulties and issues with some level of ease. Like I previously said, I hope to be the voice for those people who are in the exact same situation now as I was many years ago, unable to speak (but I do recommend not leaving it as long as me).
An entirely selfish reason is that it helps me. Having this blog on my incredibly tiny corner of the internet has helped me more than you can possibly imagine. I have confidence that you would not believe and although it isn’t perfect, it’s getting there.
Now I don’t want to make this become a soppy post so I’m going to leave it here but I hope that answers any questions you may have had (or probably not have had) about me blogging about my mental health. I hope you have an incredibly lovely day.
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Love this!
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Thank you so much love!
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YES GIRL! I love this; I think it’s empowering to blog about it…theres no other way to overcome the stigma x
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Exactly!! Thank u so much! x
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Thank you for a wonderful post. Writing is such an important tool for me as well. Please keep it up.
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Thank you so much! I’m not gonna stop anytime soon haha!!
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Thank you for sharing your story. It does help others. Your story has helped me. Not everyone will understand why you do any number of things. Honestly, it doesn’t matter. Please know that your work is valued and helpful. For everyone who doesn’t get it, rest assured that your experiences are reaching people who do get it, who can relate, and who feel less alone because you’ve kindly and generously shared these details about your life. You are making a difference! ❤️
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Thank you so much. That literally means the world that you think that! All I want is to help others and make a difference by writing about my own experiences! Thank u again! ❤️
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You’re doing exactly what you want to do! Keep it up!!! And thanks again! ❤️
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Thank you for sharing this post. I have anxiety, and it’s been a part of my life for around 7 years now, and expressing it through writing – and thus blogging – has been a huge help. Without it, I think things would be different, and not in a good way.
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It’s okay, thank you for reading! I’m so glad to hear that writing has helped you a lot with your anxiety! Anxiety is terrible and I’m glad you’re finding some sort of an outlet!
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Oh my Sophie! Such clarity at such a young age! I struggle as well, and my family is highly dysfunctional. My parents are gone, and my narcissistic sister is finally out of my life-I had no idea how damaging and toxic she was until recently. I worked for 40 plus years and intended working 40 more, until my CPTSD made it impossible. I too have gained so much through writing! I love your writings and know that you have a friend who struggles with anxiety, depression, and CPTSD. Loves.
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Thank you so much! That has made me so happy to know you think that! I’m glad you’ve gained a lot from writing and I hope you get so much more! x
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Hey, Sophie! I nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award! xxx
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Thank you so much! I’ll get right on it! xx
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It is so brave to talk about mental health. I totally agree, blogging is a great way to build up your confidence which results in a better mindset! xx
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Thank you so much! Hopefully, my confidence will just grow and grow the more I talk about stuff! xx
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I hope that you continue to use your voice to help empower others! Stigma is fought every time someone opens their mouth and shares their story with others. So many suffer in silence. Thank you for all that you’re doing!
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I hope I continue too!! I don’t think I’ll stop anytime soon because that’s my goal haha!
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I think another reason people don’t seek help (atleast here in the U.S. where I am) is how incredibly costly it can be to be treated for mental health issues. Whether it be doctors visits, medications, therapy, etc. It’s so expensive here! I’ve had some issues with anxiety and I know I tend to use alcohol to self-medicate because it calms me. I honestly can’t afford to see a doctor for medicine.
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I get what you mean! I’m fortunate enough to live in the UK where we have free healthcare but if you wanna get treated for mental health issues, you have to fight for it. At least for me, it’s almost like you get pushed to the back of the waiting list and you have to fight to get the help you deserve/want. So it’s probably costly in terms of time instead of money here but I get what you mean totally
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WE are all here for you so write it, gurl! xx
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Thank you so much lovely!! xx
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So proud of you for being able to share this! You’re right people don’t talk enough about their experiences with anxiety and depression and simply talking about it helps reduce the stigma surrounding mental health. Great post x – MP
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Thank you so much! Exactly, I hope more people open up with their experiences of mental illnesses!x
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Love this, talking about your mental health is such a brave thing to do – I write about mine because I feel like it helps to talk about it .xx
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Exactly! It helps more than people think. It’s kinda like keeping a diary to write your thoughts down! Xx
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You are so brave!
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Thank you so much!
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Hi, this is such a great post 🙂 I was diagnosed with severe mental illness 12 years ago and it has been a long and extremely difficult progression back towards health and ‘sanity.’ I still have extrememly bad moments and days now, but for most of the time I can handle them.. and I have been so very lucky to have extremely supportive friends and family around me all the way through, I have never really experienced stigma or negativity in any major way. But I know it is out there, and as you said, it’s bloomin heart breaking to think of the hell some people live with day after day.. Anyway, thanks for checking out my blog, and I hope to hear more from you! 🙂
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Thank you so much lovely! I hope you can continue to handle the bad days! x
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Hi Sophie,
I too suffer from anxiety. I used to have debilitating panic attacks so I understand. Yes there is a stigma related to mental health which is why I didn’t seek help for years. When I was finally not able to function I finally went to the doctor. It was determined that my brain couldn’t regulate serotonin. I’ve been on medication (Paxil) for 17 years and my anxiety is under control for the most part. Hugs to you.
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Hugs to you too! I didn’t ask for help for so long until my head of year at high school suggested that I needed to. I didn’t have a clue that you could get help for this sorta stuff! I’m glad you’re gettin help!
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Hi Sophie 🙂 Thank you for being so open about your anxiety, it is very brave! As someone who has always struggled with anxiety, I very much admire people like you who openly talk about their anxiety because it makes me realise that I am not alone in this journey!
I write a lot about my struggles with anxiety on my blog- I write about the good days, the bad days, and the methods I have found that allows me to cope and live my everyday life. Sharing all of the good and the bad with a public space is scary but comforting, and has been a great healing journey for me.
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Hiya! Thank you so much for that! I always feel the same, seeing people write/talk so openly makes me feel so happy for the exact same reason you said!
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Thank you for being a positive voice for people to follow. It sounds like You have a lot of self awareness. I just started blogging, I think I have had some great help on my mental health journey and I would like to share some of it. I’m not ready for working but dislike not being able to give back to others. Thank you!
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Thank you!! That makes me so happy to know! x
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Totally sympathize with hiding your mental health problems, I never talked about it because I thought I’d get thrown in a psych ward, but I started to talk about and got the help I needed because of people like you who talk about it. Keep up the good work 🤘😁
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That makes me so happy to know! Thank you!!
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Wow! This is what I needed to see today. Thank you for being an articulate good example of courage in this area.
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It’s okay, thank you so much!!
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I love this. This is why I started my blog. Struggling to balance real life, my anxiety and low mood, along with trying to stay healthy was just so difficult. My blog is brand new but I hope it can be as helpful as you find yours. Now following your blog! Xx
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Thank you so much!! Yeah the balance is so difficult but once you get it right, it’s the best thing! xx
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Yes we should talk about it more and I’m glad you are. Keep writing!
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Thank you love!!
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Reblogged this on Alexander Mosnick | Alex Mosnick.
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What a positive outlet! It’s important for all of us to express ourselves! 🙂
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Thank you so much love!!
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I also blog about my mental health for two reasons. I want people to know that you can lead a somewhat normal life and have a mental illness. I also do it as my own way of processing my own thoughts. It’s very cathartic.
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it really is like your own personal therapy isn’t it hahah
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Absolutely. It gives my thoughts order when nothing else works.
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Thank you for sharing your voice and helping others! Now following here 🙂
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Thank you so much love!! That means so much!!
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Well done you 🙂 really great blog & definitely helping to break the stigma cycle 🙂
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Thank you love!
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I think it is really important to talk about mental health. Since to some people it can be a phenomenon and stereotype people, it’s good ot hear about mental health from all walks of life to get a better understanding. Thanks!
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Thank u so much for agreeing with me!
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it is a true sign of healing when we come out the other side with more wisdom and a desire to share what we have learned. Well done!
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Thank you so much!! That makes me happy to know!
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