First Things First

Having an anxiety disorder does not make you weak. You do things every day on hard mode while others think nothing of the energy it takes you. To have an anxiety disorder and live day to day on high alert- it means you are strong. Depression does not mean you are sad or lazy. The physical pain and hurting are very real and debilitating. Panic attacks are scary and real and are not an overreaction. The lack of oxygen, confusion, fear, (etc) are 100% valid and no amount of “just calm down” will make it go away. You cannot will it away, use willpower like you’re on a diet and staying away from bad brain days. 

Your illness is real. Your emotions are real and valid. Your pain is real and not exaggerated. Your feelings are authentic and not an excuse for behaviors or actions that people without mental illness don’t understand. Your brain is creating scenarios that even though you know logically they are false, your fear is absolutely real, unrelenting and debilitating even if people can’t see your symptoms. 

Having mental illness and living day to day makes you strong, it makes you a warrior, it makes you resilient and it is never, ever a weakness. 

You are worthy of emotions. You are worthy of care. You are worthy of respect. You are worthy of the space that you take up in this world. You are worthy of love. You are worthy of kindness. And you are worth fighting for. 

Even on bad days- when your biggest accomplishment was to breathe. Even when you can’t get out of bed. Even when you are not productive or active or social. 

Those are the days that build your strength because you survived them. Those are the days you deserve to be proud that even if you are at rock bottom, at least you aren’t digging deeper. You existed and that is what is important. Because you are important. You have value and worth and ()