Battling mental illness is not an easy job, and it often takes much trial and error to find the right medication. What works today may not work tomorrow. So, when dealing with conditions like bi-polar, anxiety, panic disorder, schizophrenia, and various other conditions, it’s important to be understanding.

Here are four things that you can learn from someone suffering from these mental illnesses.

1.You Are Stronger Than You Ever Imagined

People automatically assume that someone who fights mental illness is weak. While they may have a condition that is a thorn in their side, it’s not because they are frail. Many mental illnesses are inherited. You can’t blame anyone for their genetic makeup. They may have a mother or father who suffers from the same conditions.

Since genetics is a huge concern, it’s important to note that it’s not the only way that one can develop mental illness. It can be brought on by trauma, sickness, and injury.

To fight such debilitating conditions like schizophrenia takes a strong person. Just to get out of bed and take care of the hygiene and the house is a momentous chore for some. Don’t feel sorry for these people. They are some of the strongest among us.

2.Support and Understanding Is Essential in Life

While the stigma surrounding mental health has improved, there are still many people who view mental problems as something the person has done. For instance, a person that suffers from depression might hear things like “get out of bed,” “why don’t you just snap out of it?”. Other may think in terms of this versus that: borderline personality disorder compared to schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety.

These things seem logical to a person who isn’t suffering from these conditions.

However, when you are dealing with overwhelming fatigue, bodily aches, and the feeling that you can’t go on, nagging at family and friends will only make matters worse. What they need more than anything are understanding and support.

3.Life Doesn’t Always Happen How We Want

Most people are devastated by their diagnosis. No one wants to suffer from a mental or physical illness. These people had plans, dreams, and hopes. However, their lives have been altered by a condition that is beyond their control.

Can you blame a person in a wheelchair who had a stroke? The same can be said of mental illness. These people all have broken dreams. Some conditions may seem more important, but no matter what the condition, it causes an alteration in life’s plans and dreams.

4.Even with Challenges You Can Do Anything You Want

Just because a person has a disabling condition doesn’t mean that they cannot fulfill their hopes and dreams. Some of the greatest minds in this world have suffered from mental illness.

Take, for instance, John Nash. He was a famous mathematician that won the Nobel Prize. He had schizophrenia. Consequently, he never let his mental illness define him. Rather, he didn’t want his life to end in obscurity or tragedy. He fought to be something great.

Catherine Zita Jones suffers horribly from bipolar disorder. Her condition has not stopped her from being a wonderful mother to two children, having a successful acting career, and being married to one of Hollywood’s elite. She went public with her story a few years ago. She struggles, but she does whatever it takes to live a fulfilled life.

Another good example of overcoming mental illness is Brian Wilson. As a member of the Beach Boys, he had more than 40 hits that were in the top 40 on the charts. However, in 1980, Wilson began hallucinating, hearing voices, and seeing things that weren’t there. The doctors gave him a psychedelic drug that was supposed to help. Consequently, the drug damaged him further. He still went on to travel and sing with one of the greatest rock bands of all times.

These are just a few examples of famous people with mental illness. The truth is that they are all around. Many people don’t publicly share their story because of the stigma attached. More people are feeling open enough to talk about the treatment they received and how their lives have changed.

Bottom line – Never Give Up. No Matter What!

For most, life is not a cakewalk. Even celebrities show us that the good also comes with plenty of bad. Dealing with a mental illness is a great problem, but it’s not a death sentence. It means things won’t come as easy to these people as it will to someone else, but that doesn’t mean they can’t accomplish whatever they set their mind too. You can learn so much from someone who has a mental illness.

Most of all, you learn how much of a fighter they truly are. You have no clue how much effort it takes them to do tasks that you may take for granted. Above all else, it shows that they are just human beings with think, feel, and are trying to make it through life, just like everyone else.

Find Help

For a better approach to mental health consult the wonderful team of therapists at www.betterhelp.com.