Acceptance

"She is not going to pick up, I am tired of her tantrums, lets just go."

Alas, they failed to comprehend that the phone was out of her reach, as she tried to help herself swim out of her recurrent panic attacks; the cycle of intense fear and discomfort heightened by the misconception by her friends.

5 missed calls, 12 messages and the phone dies.

How well do you know about mental illness? Common knowledge says that its all about mood swings, emotional outbursts like crying, screaming, stubbornness and hitting, and breaking objects.

But has someone seen beyond such meltdowns?

When one has a physical illness, Google is ripped apart,from the causes to the effects, to the immediate and long-term solutions.

Why is it that such thorough examination is not done for mental health?

People dont hesitate for one second before labeling each other: slut, homophobic, pseudo-intellectual, bimbo; labels which shine brighter than one's identity.

But why is it that we fail to perceive mental distress?

If someone mentions his/ her disorder, the common responses are-

"Are you sure? is it a phase? did you get checked into a mental hospital? wont change of place help?"

"Take medication, like all illnesses, you will be fine as it will go away!"

NO, it doesn't go away. It stays. Yes, management can be done but the side-effects are extremely unpleasant.

Drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, de-attachment, what not!

"Loved ones will make you help better!"

Not always. 

When parents are embarrassed for the social stigma which still exists about mental illness, when friends fail to grasp the concept of it and disregards his/ her mental distress and your partner gets tired of the changes in mood and behavior, it doesn't really help.

But you know what helps?

If someone tells you about his/her thoughts on suicide, lend an ear and not speech on morality.

If you see someone suffering from depression and anxiety, dont say haughtily that its a phase.

If someone is having having panic attacks, insomnia, or emotional dysregulation, dont lecture or shut them out as if they are untouchables.

Its easy to judge and complain, but its difficult to understand and stand beside someone who is suffering.

Dont make them feel that the world is a punishing place,that they cannot expose their emotions and insecurities.

Have the feelings reciprocate with love and unconditional acceptance.

:)