When I was younger, I had a lot of anxiety. As I got older, depression also showed itself alongside the anxiety. And when I was in my sophomore year of high school, I started experiencing hallucinations- at first only visual hallucinations, then add in some auditory hallucinations, and a pinch of tactile hallucinations, and you had me.
The depression got worse due to the hallucinations and feeling like I had no control. I knew they weren’t real, so why couldn’t they leave me alone?
With therapy, some trips and stays in the crisis stabilization unit, an army of coping skills, supportive friends and family, and the right medication, I’m doing much better. I practice coping skills daily so they’re second nature. I’ve stopped bottling emotions in fear of bugging people - because I know I’m not a burden.
The world needs to open up more about mental health. The more things are skipped over and aren’t talked about, the more stigmatized and taboo mental illnesses will be. The less myths and stigma about mental illness, the easier it will be for people to reach out and look after their mental wellness. Normal is subjective, depression and hallucinations are part of some people’s “normal”.
Healing is a long process and I am constantly growing and evolving, and moving closer to feeling whole again. Recovery is a journey.
- Fynn K.
(They/Them)