You Are So Much More Than an Illness

Dealing with mental health challenges can be overwhelming. When symptoms persist over a sustained period of time, it can gradually feel as though it is overtaking us. We may even begin to define ourselves by our illness. Defining ourselves in this way, such as “I’m bipolar”, “I’m depressed, “I’m schizophrenic”, may seem harmless. It isn’t. All too often, referring to ourselves this way empowers our illness. It also may magnify it, to the point that we begin to forget there is more to ourselves than the challenges we face.

It is less common to hear someone refer to themselves as a physical illness, such as heart disease, or cancer. They may say “I have heart disease or cancer” but they rarely say “I am [this illness]. Why, then, do we do this with our mental health? It may be that when we are dealing with mental illness, it can tend to make us see things through a different lens. Someone experiencing symptoms of depression, for instance, may view life as though looking through a pair of dark tinted glasses. Everything appears shaded, and subdued. As symptoms worsen, we may ruminate on our problems, further contributing to color our view. Sometimes, I think it may come from anxiety; we throw it out there to begin with because we may subconsciously be afraid people will view us differently if they “find out”.

Language such as this not only harms us as individuals, it perpetuates stigma in the community. Stigma surrounding mental illness is already prevalent. Changing the language surrounding it may aid in reducing such stigma over time.

I am here to encourage you not to lose sight of who you are. There is more to you than any illness you face. You may be a mother, father, sister, or brother. A cherished daughter, son, or friend. An artist, an athlete, a professional. A compassionate, kind, and loving person. Illness is only a part of us. It does not define us. And there is help. Please reach out to a counselor, or physician. You don’t have to undergo this journey alone.

If you are in crisis, call or text 988, or go to your local emergency room.

Yours in health and wellness,

Kristine