The stigma around mental health issues has been so deep-rooted in our society that it took many years and several people opening up about it to reduce the taboo. The more influential people talk about mental health and share their experiences, the more will awareness be spread. And maybe someday, the stigma will cease to exist.
Ankita Konwar, Milind Soman’s wife, recently took to Instagram to pen an extensive account of suffering from depression and anxiety. She has, in the past, spoken about her mental health but never in such close detail.
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She posted a picture of herself and said that it was from a time when she was smiling on the outside but there was utter chaos within.
“A picture from recent past, a day when I had a storm in my head but my face reflected calmness with a smile. Yes, I still have a few days where everything isn’t ‘fine’. Not everyone who looks ‘fine’ is actually fine.”
She goes on to talk about the meaninglessness, the “dark patches” and the “all-consuming days” that a person dealing with depression tends to experience.
“Things can seem overwhelming and meaningless at the same time. But I don’t get scared like I used to. After living a long period of anxiety and depression and getting out of it with all the courage I had in me, I still face tiny episodes of dark patches. Way milder, way shorter and way better than the ‘all-consuming’ days I actually lived through.”
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She revealed that she is now much stronger and is able to see the light through the “dark patches”.
“But now, I have gotten stronger, become more positive and I manage to see the bright light through the dark patches. I don’t let it consume me, I cry when I have to, I don’t hold onto my thoughts like I used to. I let them come and go as they please. It requires a lot of practice but I’m getting better at it. I remember reading somewhere that ‘some of us require a little more effort to survive in this world than the rest’ and I have finally come to accept that fact. Of course the events and experiences of our lives play a huge role in it. But we must get all the help we can to navigate our way through it.”
Ankita then went on to give a few tips that helped her on her journey and might be of use to other people dealing with the same.
“A few things that help –
•Physical and mental exercise,
•Journaling,
•Cutting down on caffeine,
•Reducing alcohol intake,
•Avoiding substance abuse
•Engaging with friends and family.
But to even get to the point of gathering the will and courage to fight requires help. Seek professional help when needed. Holiday seasons can be quite stressful, can bring back all kinds of memories. So many things can trigger you but keep at it. Look at what you have achieved inspite of all the obstacles. If you’re having one of those dark days, I’m just here to remind you that your resilience is far stronger than the storm inside your head.”
Have a look at her post here:
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Here’s wishing you strength, Ankita!