How to Develop Courage in Challenging Times With Mental Illness
3 ways to fight back.
Hi there!
I never imagined I would grow up to have bipolar disorder.
Mental illness was something I always associated with characters in movies or books–people who were unstable and unpredictable. I never wanted to be one of them.
Whenever anyone mentioned being “crazy,” I thought of the book, Sybil (ad), or of the woman with the garish makeup who walked the streets of my city yelling at passing cars. I knew I would never have to deal with anything like that.
The around 23, when I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I realized it doesn’t matter what you want. Mental illness can happen to anyone at any time. It’s up to you to learn how to live with it.
The first step is to fight your internal stigma and acknowledge you need help. The second step is to develop the courage you’ll need to battle the difficult times.
Here are a few tips on how to be successful.
“We don't develop courage by being happy every day. We develop it by surviving difficult times and challenging adversity.”
- Barbara De Angelis
Scott Ninneman also publishes the free All Things Bipolar Newsletter (off Substack). The Sunday email features the newest content about bipolar life.
Stigma and Acceptance
One of the biggest mental illness challenges is the stigma surrounding it.
People are quick to judge and label you as “crazy” or “unstable.” Some will say you’re weak or don’t have faith. The worst people will tell you you’re broken and dangerous and will keep their kids from seeing you.
Then you have the internal stigma, the wrong ideas you’ve always believed about mental illnesses. You may repeat the same lies to yourself that you’ve heard from others. Even when you receive help and encouragement, you may fight against it, further lying to yourself that you’re not worth it.
Down deep, you know you’re not weak or faithless. You have an illness, and it’s not because of anything you did. People get sick. It’s a fact of life in today’s world.
Push the stigma and lies out of your head. It will take time to accept your diagnosis, so give yourself the time you need. Once you learn to accept you–even the messy parts of you–then you’ll be unstoppable.
Let’s not pretend it’s easy. Some days, it will feel downright impossible. Learning to fight stigmas and accept yourself may be one of the toughest things you’ll ever do. Yet, no matter how hard the work, it’s necessary. Everything is waiting for you on the other side.
Courage
To reach your goals, you also need to develop courage.
You’ll need your strength to fight for truth against the false stigma beliefs. It’s easier to go with the flow and turn a blind eye to the ugly things people say, but it will keep you stuck in your progress.
You also need courage to ask for help and to tell the truth when speaking with your care team. I love to tell everyone, “I’m good,” even when it’s the farthest thing from the truth.
Your doctor can only properly treat you when they know the whole story. So be courageous and share your truth.
Another mental illness challenge is the constant battle against negative thoughts. At times, your head will fill with images that would terrify anyone else. They may frighten you, too.
I often tell people my head is the scariest place I know. There are things in there I’m afraid to share with people, especially considering the way some “friends” have reacted in the past.
Use courage to help you from slipping into a spiral of self-doubt and negativity. Face your mental illness monsters head on and refuse to give up.
When you need a boost, take a step back and remind yourself of all of your accomplishments. It’s okay to be proud of yourself.
Fighting bipolar is hard work, every single day. If you’re still here fighting, you deserve a round of applause. Maybe even a little parade. It’s okay to pat yourself on the back.
Isolation
Mental illness can be very isolating.
Your mind will tell you that you’re the only one going through this turmoil, but your mind is wrong. You are not an alien or a freak of nature. Millions of us are fighting the same feelings and have the same dark and twisty thoughts in our heads.
Reach out and connect with someone. Find an online support group or meet up with friends. Living with bipolar disorder is a journey you should never walk alone.
Mental illness challenges are hard, but you are a fighter. You can overcome anything if you refuse to give up.
For today, think back to trials you overcame in your life. The challenge can be a result of mental illness or anything else. The important thing is to remember a time you faced a hurdle and overcame it.
Success breeds success. When you keep past victories in mind, you have more strength to face today.
How do you fight mental illness stigma? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Writing Time
Use these writing prompts to help you reflect on the power in you.
Journal Prompt: When was the first time you overcame a difficult trial? How did you do it? What did the experience teach you?
Creative Writing Prompt: A young prince(ss) has to prove they are worthy to rule the kingdom. They must overcome three difficult challenges. Write the story.
Until next time, keep fighting.
Scott Ninneman
Additional Reading:
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Books with characters with mental illnesses are scary and help grow the stigma about mental illness.
My mother was extremely ill with a mental illness. I saw my thoughts and behaviors mimicking hers--all the way to suicide attempts. She died by suicide.
It took me a long time to figure out it wasn't inevitable that I would turn into her. She died at 45. I'm 70 with a great life of stability.