People of all ages, races, genders, religions, political parties, can struggle with mental health. Recently I had incident that was like nothing I have ever experienced. It left me exhausted, worried, and at first a little ashamed.
I am not an expert on this topic. If you are facing a crisis my advice would be to get some professional help sooner than later. This is what I have told others many times, but never had to take my own advice. Until I did.
As a human I have had ups and down in moods. I have been sad. I have been hurt to the core by other asshat humans. I had been disappointed in myself of a situation. But to be honest I have always been able to deal with the ups and downs of my own mental health for 56 years…. Until I wasn’t able to deal with it.
A series of unpleasant things happened and I started to spin out of control. I became uncontrollably anxious and depressed. My thoughts spiraled and I could barely work. My mental health was no longer something I had in hand. Honestly, it scared the shit out of me.
Without going into all the details, I write this because there is a new understanding in my brain about how fragile we all are from time to time. I talked to friends who I knew had been down this path. I shared with my wife what was going on inside my thoughts. And I got an appointment with a therapist. The whole episode of lasted about 5 weeks before I got myself to a comfortable point (I think this is not something I can or should bury and it will be here for a long time…but it is not a spiral anymore). I am new to the therapist, but plan to keep going for six months or a year to be sure I am on the right path moving forward.
My generation grew up hiding such issues. But in 2022 and beyond, people are more open about the topic of mental health. This is good. A year or more ago I never would have written about this on my blog, but I am no longer worried about being judged. The good news about closing in on 60 years old is that I am no longer as concerned with being judged. I am over having to put forth an image to the world.
Our celebrity and pseudo-celebrity culture has so many people posting their wins and trying to look perfect. Success and luxury get clicks and likes in social media. Those people should not be what we aspire to anymore. We should aspire to those who are good souls and work to be part of a community that makes the lives of others better. Fancy is bullshit. Humans of all income levels share more things in common that the fake social media world portrays.
I am doing better, and I am wanting to live in the truth that life is sometimes messy and hard. But it is also glorious and fun sometimes.
Thanks for reading this. Do not be ashamed if you have a mental health crisis. Realize it is normal and you can and should get help (both from your support group and professionals).
Have A Great Day.
Thom Singer
***SAMHSA’s National Helpline is a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service (in English and Spanish) for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.