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For a lot of people, disabilities only seem real if they’re clearly visible from the outside — but that perspective ignores mental illnesses including depression and anxiety that countless “normal” people deal with every day.
Amber Smith posted an important message that’s getting a lot of traction on Facebook today, comparing her “social media” self with makeup and Instagram filters to a raw image of her tear-streaked face after a panic attack. It’s currently been shared more than 21,000 times.
“I’m so sick of the fact that it’s 2016 and there is still so much stigma around mental health. It disgusts me that so many people are so uneducated and judgmental over the topic. They say that 1 in 3 people will suffer with a mental illness at some point in their life. 1 in 3! Do you know how many people that equates to worldwide?! And yet I’ve been battling with anxiety and depression for years and years and there’s still people that make comments like ‘you’ll get over it’, ‘you don’t need tablets, just be happier’, ‘you’re too young to suffer with that’
“FUCK YOU. Fuck all of you small minded people that think that because I physically look ‘fine’ that I’m not battling a monster inside my head every single day.”
She says that she’s thankful for the support of her friends and family and urges anyone else going through anxiety to reach out for support as well.
“This is why I can’t stress enough that it costs nothing to be nice to others. Don’t bully others, don’t put others down and the hardest one of them all (as we have all done it at some point) don’t judge another person. We’re all human regardless of age, race, religion, wealth, job. So build one another up instead of breaking each other down.”
