Having a mental illness is silent. It is literally invisible. But you know what it’s not – fake.

There are chemicals in the brain that are not connecting in a way that allows joy and happiness and order and peace to work. Part of that is just life! And right about now it feels like everyone has something!

That’s just the thing. Even if someone is neurotypical – they still HAVE something they are going through. It’s almost like we can classify a mental illness similarly to an addiction. It’s always there and it’s something that has to be managed constantly.

And just like addiction, when anxiety or depression or ADHD or a host of other issues are not managed – there are consequences that affect them and those around them!

Speaking as someone who has anxiety and ADHD, a deep conversation with a friend can go a lot farther than you think it can!

Recently a friend having twins sat next to me and explained that she now has gestational diabetes and now has such significant anemia that she has to go in for iron infusions multiple times a week. She has three other kids to care for while she is already measuring bigger than full term with one baby. She still has around 6 weeks to be pregnant!

She’ll be going to doctors appointments ALL the time.

That takes a toll on your body. It also can break down all your defenses. You could have been the strongest person previously and as soon as you have someone telling you what you have to do to maintain subpar health your brain immediately goes into some kind of survival mode!

You convince yourself this is going to help, you try and be your biggest support, because for some reason it just feels a lot harder than you think it should.

I get it. I’ve been there.

These life changes affect you and your family in huge ways. You find out who really is there when you need them! And most of the time you feel like a huge problem. You need way more help than you want to need. After all, you don’t want to be a burden on those you love!

Newsflash: YOU’RE NOT!

You are loved. You are adored by your family. You have a Father in Heaven and a Savior who DIED to go through this with you. And even though this might last longer than you want it to, you can get through this! Whatever you contribute – even if it’s just your presence – is worth it.

Life is worth it.

And when you get to the top of this huge mountain and come down the other side, you’ll know how amazing you were to be able to go through that! And Christ will high five you at the bottom and say – “It was good.”

Just because you can’t see the obstacles in front of you, it doesn’t mean they aren’t there. They are real. You’ve got this. Find the family around you that wants to help you through it. Pray to know what you can do. You WILL get an answer.

I hope this makes it to whoever needs to hear it – you are so loved.