This post is not about gaming. I'm going to be talking about mental health issues. This may not interest you. That's fine. There will be more gaming posts coming soon.
I’m having a low patch at the moment. I know this will pass but my depression and anxiety are both overtaking me and I just want to hide under the duvet. What this means - well your experience may vary - but some of the fun thoughts I am having include:
- I’m useless.
- No one wants me around, they just put up with me out of pity.
- I’m weak.
- I’m going to feel this way forever.
- If I leave the house I’ll have a panic attack and everyone will see and judge me.
- I will have a panic attack in front of my friends and they will see me and judge me.
- Trauma related reactions which barely make sense to me and won't make sense to anyone else.
Here’s the thing about depression and anxiety. They lie. You have probably heard the analogy about having a broken bone. People say mental health difficulties should be treated like that, in the same way as a broken bone. You go to the doctor, you get the treatment you need. It’s true. But a broken bone doesn't lie to you. A broken bone hurts because it’s broken. It doesn't get inside your head and tell you that you’re not worth it.
By the way, you are worth it.
Depression lies. Anxiety lies.
And you are not alone. You realise that more and more as you talk to people. I’ve often heard the statistic quoted that 1 in 4 people suffer from mental health problems at some point in their life. I think it could be more than that.
The things that you’re telling yourself - they’re not true.
Depression lies. Anxiety lies.
I am writing this because one of the issues mental health problems cause are secrecy and isolation. If this applies to you, or has applied to you in the past, look after yourself. And hang on. One more day might make all the difference. It's lying to you. You aren't alone.
