Explaining Mental Health to Those Who Don't Get It

I’ve had this happen a lot with friends and family and realized there are only certain people I can really talk to about my mental illness. With the ones that don’t get it I may mention something about it but don’t talk to them in depth about it anymore- save that for the ones that really understand and don’t freak out because they can’t comprehend it since they haven’t gone thru it themselves. Sorry you’re going thru this it can be really painful to try and open up and receive a response like that.

That would make me feel like crap

I'm sorry sis

If I have to explain myself, I try to say something like, "The brain can be sick just like any other organ."

I have a friend and she wasn't always my friend. One day I just ask her. What's your story and broke down and cried. She ended up talking about her depression and everything that went on in her life. I gave her all of my attention and at the end. I told her I know how she feels and I wanted to walk in her shoes to get a better understanding instead of judging. She felt good that she found someone just like her. She told me I always seem so put together. The was my way of hiding my pain. So now we're figuring out how we can help each other and so far so good.