Stereotypical Illness

The first thing people think of when the hear "mental illness", the two words bounce around in their heads and imagine "crazy." Schizophrenia, depression, bipolar disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress disorder are all well known and considered common mental illnesses. The uncommon ones, though, that people don't like to being "mental" often: eating disorders and self harm. Why is that? Because most assume that eating disorders and self harm are illnesses we choose to inflict on ourselves. That, however, is not the case.

Statistics:

• Almost 50% of people with eating disorders meet the criteria for depression.
• Only 1 in 10 men and women with eating disorders receive treatment.
• Only 35% of people that receive treatment for eating disorders get treatment at a specialized facility for eating disorders.
• Up to 24 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder (anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder) in the U.S.• Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.

Each year, 1 in 5 females and 1 in 7 males engage in self injury.

Nearly 50 percent of those who engage in self injury activities have been sexually abused.

About 50 percent of those who engage in self mutilation begin around age 14 and carry on into their 20s.

Many of those who self injure report learning how to do so from friends or pro self injury websites.

Approximately two million cases are reported annually in the U.S.

What people don't seem to grasp, is that little voice in our heads that guides us can only just be a ray of sunshine steering us away from bad decisions, but also the voice that forces us to make the worst mistakes. When one is already insecure, susceptible, or linked to another mental illness, that voice takes on a whole new dark and persistent tone. You quickly hear a change from "you look beautiful" to "you'll never be good enough". And when that's repeated in your own mind, day-in and day-out, you become desperate to not just get the voices out, but to do whatever you have to do to appease them. Then slowly, you just start to believe and accept the things they say to be true. Because who else knows you better than yourself.

To anyone who's going through or has been through hard times and/or any mental illness, I've been there. I'm not going to lie and say the voice ever go away- mine never did. I still have those words in my head everyday. But I choose to not give in because I know I'm better than that and deserve much more.

But you deserve better, too. So much better, It's one hell of a fight, but you come out stronger. There will be days you just want to lock yourself away, but please don't. No matter what, you are a warrior, and can fight back with 100 times more strength. And when you're feeling like you have no one else to help you and take care of you, know that you'll always have someone on your side who will find you the most amazing. Me.

"I am me, and that's all that matters."

XOXO


(If you know of anyone, or you yourself need help, contact someone you can trust to get you the help you need and deserve.)

Suicide Prevention Hotline Call 1-800-273-8255

Crisis Text Line: Text "SUPPORT" to 741741 to chat with a compassionate, trained counselor about anything.

The Trevor Project Call 866-488-7386 (24/7)

National Domestic Violence Hotline Call 1-800-799-7233 (24/7) Email the National Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7)

RAINN: Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network Call 1-800-656-4673 (24/7)

Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline Call 1-800-422-4453 (24/7)

National Safe Place Text SAFE and your current location to the number 69866 (24/7)

National Runaway Safeline Call 1-800-786-2929 (24/7) Live Chat 7 days/week, 4:30 to 11:30 pm CST. Crisis emails and bulletin board postings responded to within two hours @ www.1800RUNAWAY.org. Home Free family reunification program provides free bus tickets to eligible runaway and homeless youth. http://www.1800runaway.org/youth/nrs_can_help/home_free/