Skip to content

Hope

Unfortunately, many people have some kind of Mental Disorder such as Bi-Polar (manic depressive illness) and are not aware of it or don't know how to control it.  Many go unnoticed and are thought of as passive/aggressive or, worst yet, temperamental.

There is a stigma tied to being manic-depressive. People don't see your mental disorder as a real illness. "It's all in your head. Get over it." These powerful sentences are the most hurtful of all. We victims do not have control over how our brain's chemical imbalance makes us feel or not feel.

It's no different than if our liver was not making enough insulin to metabolize sugar.  In theory, it's no different, but it's very different in perception. People accept a diabetic but won't tolerate a mentally ill person.

When I talk about Hope, I mean that there is help.

Today, many victims and their families are more understanding and patient when mental illness is identified. They learn how to deal with it and move forward. Once that happens, life is full of delight and peace, and there's an increase in the acceptance of the mentally ill. Acceptance -- this one word gives me hope for my future. It gives me hope for yours, too.

My peace comes from my family.  When I first learned that I was Bipolar and how the illness affected me, I told my family and friends about it.  Once I educated them, and they researched it on their own, my life and theirs became filled with peace, love, and harmony.

It has not been an easy journey; there are still times in my life when my illness makes me want to end it.  However, my family is there, and they take the necessary steps to help me move on.

Sometimes, I try to go outside and take a deep breath. I walk around the house or maybe around the block. When I'm done, I call someone -- it doesn't matter who. I just want to hear about someone's day, and they ask me how I'm doing.

I take advantage of that and pour out my fears to them. When I end the call, I wipe away my tears, take a deep breath, and continue. I am no longer alone.

Hope is what I have for my future, and I cannot do it without my family.  Hope is what I wish everyone would have to make themselves better.

If you have a mental illness, tell your friends and family. Get their help and support. With that, there's hope for you, too.

Hope
Messages from the Heart
July 15, 2014
Revised 05/15/14

Word Count 427

Published inShort Stories