23 Things to Say to Your Mental Illness When You're Angry

Although we try to promote positivity here at The Mighty, every once in a while, it’s OK to get mad. Mad that you have a mental illness. Mad that it’s frustrating working the system that’s supposed to treat your mental illness. Mad that life can sometimes be a little unfair, and mad because you don’t always have to be 100 percent happy with all the cards you were dealt.

So in the name of healthy venting, we asked our mental health community to share one angry message about living with a mental illness.

Here’s what they had to say: 

1. “I want to be able to look in the mirror and like what I see instead of being angry and scared. All I feel is this overwhelming feeling of my life falling apart. I don’t want to struggle every day just to survive. I want my life back.”

2. “I want a life without mental illness period. I want to know what it’s like to not have these extreme emotional highs and lows. I don’t want to have extreme anxiety attacks. I want to love without all of the fears and anxieties I have.”

3. “I would say, ‘Stop lying to me all the time, telling me I’m not good enough, that I will always feel this way or that I’m better off dead.’ I am so tired of fighting all the time, and it makes so angry I have to work so hard to simply survive.”

4. “For the sake of my son, just leave me alone for a second of my life! Let me sleep, let me feel happy, let me be in the moment, stop controlling every cell in my body when all I want is to be me without you.”

5. “When I’m angry, I want to tell my depression and anxiety you are a part of my life because mental illness is something I can’t control. You don’t define who I am nor do you take my beauty or strength away. You try so hard to break me. But guess what? You haven’t won because I’m still here fighting. I’ve learned to accept you and despite it all, I’m learning to live with you. You’re the cross I’m willing to bear because I chose to live.”

6. “I had to think about this for a moment. At first I wanted to express how angry I am at the fact that I have to work extra hard to live in my world. Now, I’m on a journey to find my sense of self to regain my personal power, and it’s an amazing journey! I’m going to reclaim my life. My disorders don’t define me, they explain me!”

7. “I tell it to crawl back into the hole it came from. I don’t have time for my anxiety, anger or depression today; my kids need me, I need me. I understand that yes, I will live with it forever and yes it will rear its ugly head again, but not today. Sometimes it helps, other days it doesn’t.”

8. “There have been many times I want to go out and be sociable with others but it’s like my anxiety won’t allow it. I feel like I am missing out on so many things. Then, my depression kicks in and I just want to stay in the house and be by myself. It’s weird I know, but the ups and downs are something that I have to deal with.”

9. “I wish I could have just a break from it. I wish I could have had a normal college experience. I want to not have to be on disability at the age of 21. I want to be able to work full-time and still have energy to do things with friends on the weekends instead of spending weekends in bed. I want a life with no nightmares, anxiety attacks or suicidal thoughts.”

10. “You’ve taken me to the lowest point in my life and have made me doubt myself more than I ever have. I’m exhausted and I’m overwhelmed by all the different negative emotions you make me go through. Why can’t I just have a day of peace?”

11. “I want to be strong enough to give more without having it deplete everything I have left. I want to feel normal feelings; I just want to be.”

12. “I am way too tired from a lifetime of struggle. My own worst enemy was hiding in my head all along!”

13. “I want my life back. I want sunshine again. I want to know who I am, to regain any confidence I might have once had. I want the scars to disappear, and the nightmares to end. If I ever find a way to destroy you, I will.”

14. “Dear Bipolar Brain: I have, X Y and Z that needs to be accomplished today, so either be helpful and productive, or take a vacation.”

15. “I want to tell my depression and anxiety I cannot let it control my life.”

16. “I’m over you being here. Kindly leave. You have way overstayed your welcome. Take your sadness, hurt and despair with you. I’m tired of you taking up space in my hear.”

18. “You have robbed me of job opportunities, friendships, goals and control. I really hate you and you will not win!”

19. “Stop killing my friends and trying to kill me.”

20. “What do I say to my mental illness? I say: ‘I know you are not me. You are a part of me, and a smaller part than you want to admit. I will come out of this as I have before, you have me down, but you will not get me out. The greater part of me will succeed because you’ve never been able to kill me.’”

21. “I wish I could tell my anxiety to go take a hike.”

22. “I will not be defined by you. I will not be a statistic. I may have you but you do not have me.”

23. “There is a resilience inside of me you have never touched. Bam! I’m still here in spite of you.”

Vent over. Now take that fire, and put it to good use. 

If you or someone you know needs help, please visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also reach the Crisis Text Line by texting “START” to 741-741. Head here for a list of crisis centers around the world.

The Crisis Text Line is looking for volunteers! If you’re interesting in becoming a Crisis Counselor, you can learn more information here.