Speaking Up is What Will Save Us

They say that communication is one of the essential parts of life. It's not just how we speak to each other, but also our body language can be just as loud. Communication is a major part of relationships whether intimate or just friends. It can be substantial at your job to clarify what projects to tackle. All of this is to say, how do you communicate?

I have anxiety. I have depression. I have PTSD. Communication is a key factor to all of those. Let's start with anxiety. The symptoms of anxiety can feel like everything will go wrong. You feel like an elephant is sitting on your chest. You don't know what to do to get out of this feeling. Depression makes you feel numb to your surrounds. It feels like a weight on your shoulders gets heavier every day. And PTSD makes you feel like you will never escape your trauma.

We have to communicate with our loved ones. We just have to find a way to tell them what we need. It might feel selfish to ask someone to help you in your time of emotions. But they cannot know what to do until you tell them exactly. I've had a few counseling sessions that I asked my boyfriend to join me to help me when I go into panic attacks. I had to tell him exactly what I needed if I was having an anxiety attack or a flashback. It can be verbal, a hug, etc., whatever it is that you need to come out of the moment. Personally, I need a hug. I need to be reminded of where I am, and not in the past. To each is their own.

In any other relationship, even if you don't suffer from anxiety/depression, we have to be honest with our support systems. If we are having a bad day, tell them that things are hard right now, and ask if they can join you for a moment. On the phone, a coffee date, or even a walk. Only you know what you need for yourself. If we are not honest, then we cannot expect others to help in the right ways. You only get one go around in life, don't leave any moment out to help better yourself.

Be confident in asking others for help that is what your support system can do for you. Our journey includes being the best we can do for ourselves every day. We deserve healthy relationships for ourselves. No one can read our minds to know our internal needs, so we need a voice to speak for ourselves.

If you feel like you have no one to talk to when you are down in the dark phase, please talk to someone. Even if it's a text, a tweet, or telling a friend, you are loved. It will seem like the hardest thing to do. It will seem like you are bothering others. But you aren't. Life is a beautiful thing. You can get through the thoughts that make it feel like the end. It has taken me a few times to realize it. This blog is the reason I want to share my story of my journey from the bottom to happiness and share my story to connect with others in the same place.  

-DC