Someone Who Gets It

I don’t know why, but I find it extremely helpful when I talk to someone who has had similar mental illness related experiences to me. When that happens I can be completely candid and tell it like I see it/feel it without having to worry about being misconstrued or seen as a total weirdo or get false sympathy or anything like that. When I talk to someone who’s also been there (if not in 100% the same way, because no two cases are exactly the same) I feel validated. I feel less alone. I feel like there’s somebody who gets it and that’s important. I have often said that depression is the great isolator, but honestly, all mental illness tends to be isolating. It twists your head around until you believe that you are completely alone and no one else could possibly understand so why bother? Talking to someone else who knows a little of what you are going through helps dispel these concerns. I’ve found personally that talking about it does help (unless of course you’re talking about it 24/7 and not allowing yourself to move forward), but it works so much better if the person you’re talking to actually understands as opposed to someone who loves you but just doesn’t get it and often accidentally says the wrong thing. I have several people in my life who I love dearly and appreciate when they try to make me feel better but it just doesn’t work. Talking about it with someone who legitimately understands is surprisingly therapeutic. Especially if you’re both working towards similar goals and can bounce ideas off each other. I did that a little bit earlier this week and it really helped me.