Loneliness

I noticed something had changed with one of my closest friends. They were quieter than usual, stopped joining our conversations, and often seemed tired. Whenever I asked if everything was okay, they smiled and said, “I'm fine.” But I had a feeling they were dealing with more than they wanted to share.

At first, I tried to help by offering advice. I suggested taking breaks, getting more rest, and finding ways to reduce stress. I genuinely wanted to make things better, but I eventually realized that I couldn't solve every problem my friend was facing. Sometimes, people struggling with their mental health don't need advice. They need someone who will listen without judgment.

One afternoon, I decided to do something different. Instead of asking another serious question, I sent my friend a silly message that matched their sense of humor. I wasn't expecting anything extraordinary. I simply wanted to give them a reason to smile.

To my surprise, they responded with a laughing message and sent a joke back. We spent the next few minutes sharing funny things, just like we used to. Their problems hadn't disappeared, but our conversation felt lighter. For a little while, we were simply two friends enjoying each other's company.

That moment changed how I understood emotional support. I realized that checking on someone doesn't always have to begin with a serious conversation. Sometimes, a small gesture can help someone feel connected without pressuring them to explain what they're going through.

After that, I started paying more attention to the little things my friend enjoyed. I noticed the jokes they liked and the unusual things that made them laugh. While browsing online for quirky gifts and funny products, I came across a well-known gift platform for example, ThingsFromMars. Some of the unusual finds made me smile, and I thought about how sharing something ridiculous with a friend could become a small but memorable moment.

Of course, I learned that humor isn't the answer to every difficult situation. Someone experiencing anxiety, depression, loneliness, or emotional exhaustion might appreciate a laugh, but they might also need a quiet conversation or simply someone willing to listen. What matters is understanding the person rather than assuming everyone copes with stress in the same way.

I also learned that telling someone to cheer up can make them feel misunderstood. Genuine mental health support means respecting their feelings, checking in regularly, and allowing them to speak when they're ready. If someone continues to struggle or finds everyday life difficult to manage, professional support may also be important.

Looking back, I don't believe one funny message changed my friend's life. Laughter cannot cure mental health conditions, and I never want to suggest otherwise. But that small exchange reminded me that kindness doesn't always require perfect words or grand gestures.

Sometimes, supporting a friend means listening. Sometimes, it means giving them space. And sometimes, it means sharing something silly that makes them smile.

I've learned that we cannot always remove another person's struggles, but we can help them feel less alone. Sometimes, that simple reminder is where meaningful support begins.

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety

I struggle with being alone sometimes.
Even when I’m not fully alone.
Even when there’s people around me.
I sometimes feel like I’m a failure because I cannot get a job
I tie my self worth with having a job
And since I don’t have one
Well I feel like I serve no purpose
But ofc I don’t truly believe that but sometimes it does seem like that
I’ve been trying to snap myself out of it
But everytime I try— and I try so hard.
Everytime I think “this job is gonna be the one that will be with me through my college years” and I do so good in the interviews. I seem to impress the hiring manager and I start to believe I got it, that I got the job, only to get an email of rejection.
And my self worth becomes questionable.

Anger is the Monster you see but what's hiding underneath?
Worry, hurt, fear, overwhelm, embarrassment, disappointment, jealousy, frustration

Every behavior is a message

Anger is often a secondary emotion.
Anger is a real & valid emotion, but many times it's not the true feeling underneath.
It can show up when other feelings feel to big, confusing, or hard to express
When we look underneath the anger, we can better understand, support, & help kids find healthier ways to what they're feeling
I might look angry but there's more to my story. What you're seeing is often just the tip of the iceberg.

Anger Monster Warning Signs
1 Tight muscles----clenched fists, tense body, or stiff shoulders
2 Fast heartbeat----heart feels like it's racing
3 Tummy troubles----upset stomach or "butterflies"
4 Hot face----face feels warm or looks red
5 Racing thoughts----"I can't stop thinking about it!"
6 Louder Voice-----voice gets louder or more demanding
7 Urge to move-----wanting to stomp, yell, throw, or run away

Awareness is the first step to taming the Angry Monster.............Noticing these signs early gives us a chance to use a strategy BEFORE the Anger Monster takes over.

What is Your Anger Monster Trying to Tell You?
Anger is often a clue that a deeper feeling is hiding underneath.........Behavior is communication

Hurt-----"I feel hurt & don't know how to say it"
Overwhelm----"There is just to much happening right now"
Worry-----"I feel nervous or scared about something"
Disappointment----"Things didn't go the way I hoped"
Frustration----"This is hard & I feel stuck"
Insecurity----"I feel unsure or like I'm not good enough"
Jealousy-----"I want what someone else has & it's hard"
Loneliness----"I want to feel included, connected, or noticed"
Embarrassment----"I feel uncomfortable or like I made a mistake"
Tiredness----"I'm exhausted & I don't have the energy I need"

Hi, my name is Misteil. I'm here because chronic illness is lonely and overwhelming.

#MightyTogether #PTSD #EhlersDanlosSyndrome #ADHD #Anxiety #Neurosarcoidosis #IIH #IntracranialHypertension #ChronicFatigueSyndrome #longcovid #Sarcoidosis #HEDS

Hi, my name is bluebird_410. I'm here because I just had something on my heart that I wanted to share. Last March 10, 2025 I was spinning out of control and in the midst of a panic attack, I overdosed. I was on the phone with the suicide hotline unable to breathe, heart racing and shaking half to death. The panic would not stop. It was relentless. I told the person talking to me that I needed to calm down so I took a clonazepam- yes prescribed. It didn’t work. I continued taking them until I had consumed 10. By then the police were at my house along with the paramedics. I was out of it and told them that I had taken 10 pills. I also tried to convey to them the other medicines I was on. During this attempt apparently I said I had taken 8 tramadol. I was trying to tell them I took 2. It was put in my medical records as an opioid overdose with suicidal intent. That was not the case. It was an diazepam accidental overdose. Having this in my medical records has destroyed me because no doctor wants to prescribe decent medications that might work to ease my severe chronic pain, I understand why - their license that they worked so hard for would be on the line. It is sad that no doctor seems to believe in me now and no one will provide me with medicines that work. 7/10 is my daily pain score on just about every day. I remember the medics gave me Narcan and I did not respond. If it was an opioid overdose I would have. Furthermore, I did not want to die. If I had I wouldn’t have been on the phone with the suicide hotline person in the first place. I just wanted the panic to stop and to be able to breathe. Now whenever someone looks at me they see what I did and not who I am. It hurts, the stigma hurts. Instead of trying to help me, everyone judges me. Doctors look at me funny and nurses patronize me. Everyone wants to help in general but the sad reality is no one is there when someone like me comes back out of that rabbit hole. Those who say they want to help should see the person who needs help as a whole person or they will finally succeed in acting out their intent. People like me need a community of love and forgiveness not anger, I don’t have anyone except my husband who helps as much as he can. I am bipolar. I was diagnosed at 12. I am a survivor of severe childhood trauma. I am the child in the book who wore long clothes in the summer to hide the bruises, who didn’t believe in herself because she was told on a daily basis how stupid she was - the one that everyone stayed away from and laughed at because of her smelly hand me down clothes. You probably would have laughed and stayed away yourself. Everyone did. My childhood was lonely. Now I spend many days writhing in agony because I can’t get necessary pain meds because lots of the medical community think I am just out to score. I am not and my proof is I still have a box of tramadol a year and a half later. I would not still have these medications if I was an addict. I use them sparingly and am terrified about what I will have to endure when they run out. I have been judged, found wanting and abandoned. I know the inability to get necessary pain medications is my fault, but the failure of others to listen and take the time to really see me is not. I have decided to share this deeply personal moment in my life because I want to advocate for those who are mentally ill. My bipolar disorder is part of what makes me who I am. I have bad days - really bad days and I have good ones. My new primary care doctor is trying to get my medications straight. For 20 years I was so heavily drugged I was not myself and drug interactions existed from doctors carelessly prescribing drugs without taking the time to look at the other medications I was on. I left my psychiatrist for this reason and I am actively seeking a new one - one who doesn’t violate HIPPA by talking so loudly about me that I can hear him in the halls while waiting for my turn to see him in an empty room. I am not the only patient he talks or complains about either. I am seriously considering TMS to rewire my brain and fight the depression and fight my fibromyalgia. My POTS and malabsorption syndrome I guess I will just have to live with forever. Chronic illness is no joke. I am not looking for anything except support. Please see past the stigma. Please help those who fight mental illness everyday without pointing the finger and laughing at who they are. I hope as a community we can stand together and educate bringing awareness about those who are different and ways to meet those individuals needs. Being me is tough but I wouldn’t trade being me for all the world. Thanks for reading and God bless. If anyone reading has thoughts of self harm please call the suicide hotline or get help. I may live with stigma but at least I will get to see another day. Thank you.

#MightyTogether #Anxiety #Depression #BipolarDisorder #Migraine #Fibromyalgia #PTSD