I’ve always been open about my mental illness in most areas of my life, but until last year I’d never spoken about it at work. I was concerned that if I told colleagues I struggle with general anxiety disorder and depression, it would hamper my progression and I wouldn’t be taken seriously.
It’s hard to tell if a person is depressed unless they break down in front of you or manage to tell you themselves. Depression doesn’t leave scars, not always. And it’s hard to say how bad it is if you can’t see the wound.
If you know someone who’s going through a difficult time, if you have even the slightest doubt, reach out.
Having borderline personality disorder (BPD) can be both challenging and confusing. Due to the stigma surrounding personality disorders, I was too embarrassed to tell anyone. I was scared that I would be judged and abandoned by people. This can be isolating as trusting to talk to somebody is extremely hard.
I saw a lot of employers posting about Mental Health Awareness Week. It is absolutely crucial we start conversations about the realities of mental illness and it’s great that it’s happening, but I wish some employers would stop kidding themselves.
