Colton Haynes Posts a Reminder for Anyone Who's Had Their Mental Illness Dismissed

On Tuesday, “American Horror Story” actor Colton Haynes shared a selfie on Instagram for World Mental Health Day, and his message may ring true for anyone with a mental illness who’s been called “dramatic.”

Haynes, who has been open about his experience with depression and anxiety in the past, wrote in the caption, “I know a lot of people don’t understand mental illness and pass it off as ppl being dramatic…but it’s [something] that no one wants to struggle through.”

 

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Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay . This is a photo I took of myself about a month ago when I had reached a point where I had no idea what to do. I had been in bed crying/paralyzed for 3 wks with no explanation. My personal life & career were at an all time high. I’ve talked about this before but I can’t stress enough how important it is to seek help when your feeling down or in your darkest moments. I’ve struggled with Anxiety & Depression since I was in the 5th grade & it’s not something that should go untreated or uncared for. I know a lot of people don’t understand mental illness & pass it off as ppl being dramatic…but it’s a chemical Imbalance that no one wants to struggle through. It’s not easy. So let’s all take a second to reach out to those in need of help & those who just need someone to talk to or some encouragement. A little love goes a long way. My heart is with my fellow survivors & ppl struggling through this disease…you aren’t alone. ❤️❤️❤️

A post shared by Colton Haynes (@coltonlhaynes) on Oct 10, 2017 at 2:06pm PDT

Haynes explained how a recent bout of depression left him in bed for three weeks last month. Haynes wasn’t being “dramatic” for spending three weeks in bed, and neither is anyone else who’s had a similar experience.

The actor also pointed out he’s dealt with anxiety and depression since the fifth grade, and that it’s important to reach out for help.

“Don’t be afraid to seek help,” Haynes wrote in a personal essay for Paper last year. “There are so many people out there who put their jobs first and their mental health last…and trust me…it will creep up on you. There are so many amazing people out there who can help with anxiety and other mental health issues… please don’t be afraid and know that it gets better.”