Men with Mental Illness

WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS TRIGGER WARNINGS

Men with Mental Illness and the attitudes of others.

This has been an on-going concern for me for a while now, I have suffered badly with extreme depression and mental illness, thoughts of and attempts of suicide.

I am not ruling this out at all towards women, this is solely from a male perspective, because for some reason, men are expected to "man up" and be "manly" and "act like a man".

Let me tell you, you are no less of a man because you cry every day and feel low, lonely or that the world isn't a good place right now, and the sooner people around us realise this, the quicker people will seek help and get better.

Let me give you a POV situation, this will include my mood and the usual responses I would receive from others that are SUPPOSE to care about me:

Edit: I can't give examples due to policies.

But if I'm happy, I'll be asked "Why do you have to be happy about?", if I'm sad I get told I need to "Get a grip" and "be a man", if I'm at rock bottom, I get told I'm "selfish" and "only care about myself and nobody else"

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In this world, we need to rely on ourselves with the support of good people, and 7 cups has so many good people it's unreal because I could never post this where people who actually know me are.

We have people in this world who just want to get on with their lives their own way and want no hassle from anyone.

We also have people in this world who are co-dependant on us, can't leave us alone and are constantly involving themselves in things that don't concern them.

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I've come out the other side, I did it alone, along with 7 cups by my side, and only 7 cups, so theoretically, 7 cups saved my life, so when I say 7 cups saved my life, I'm not just saying it, it's a 120% fact.

In the end, I couldn't rely on anyone which is why I have become extremely isolated and withdrawn, I have no friends and I stay as far away from people as possible (my children are the only ones I let close), I have panic attacks if someone gets too close to me, if someone sneaks up behind me, I am petrified, I wake up having nightmares constantly so I don't get much sleep.

I have taken roles on at 7 cups and ultimately lost them, not because I cannot be bothered, but most nights I can't sleep, so I have to catch up at times in the daytime, or I'll have the kids, or numerous appointments.

But I'm fighting, If I want to achieve my best, it will be here, there are so many people I want to thank and I'll tag below.

What is my point here?

There is light at the end of the tunnel, I waited years to see mine, but it is there, so if 7 cups is a part time hobby for you, make it a full time hobby, use the resources, don't just come because you need help, come on your good days and use the many many resources available to you whilst your open to learn more about yourself (7cups taught me more about myself than ANYONE.

Join the chat rooms, and get earning badges, I'm like a 6-year-old child when I get a badge, I get so excited and happy, but that's the benefit of rewards and achievements.

You can do it, and you got this.

My inbox is open to any of you.

Appreciation to: @ASilentObserver @Fristo @Harsvin @SirenOfSerenity @GlenM