Friends, these next few weeks are going to be way harder than what we’ve seen.

The deaths will skyrocket and more and more people you know will start getting sick.

How on earth are we supposed to address our mental health when the world IS ACTUALLY bad?

[thread]

Let me tell you what NOT to do.
Resist the urge to “look on the bright side.” It might seem strange, but the way to process this grief in a more healthy way is to actually LET it hurt. (2/7)

The medical model of depression thrown around on Twitter is that its caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. Medication is supposed to help this imbalance. But what about now? The world is ACTUALLY scary– we didn’t just happen to develop imbalances all at the same time.(3/7)

Here’s the thing.

What we’re feeling now is VERY different than depression caused by a chemical imbalance. The ACTUAL reality is that we SHOULD feel sad.

This hurts.

This sucks.

Denial and tamping down those honest feelings only hurts more.

(4/7)

I will go so far as to say that what you’re experiencing right now is probably not depression *in the clinical/medical model sense*.

There is nothing “abnormal” about feeling sad in this time. It is a NORMAL human reaction to feel sad in the midst of grief. (5/7)

So how do you take care of yourself?

Let yourself FEEL.

It is only when these sad/depressive reactions become dangerous when other interventions might be necessary.

But don’t try and force your body to feel something different. It’s processing. Just like you are.

(6/7)

This video by Megan Devine, a psychotherapist and grief counselor has a LOT to say on this and many of the ideas here come from her.

(Also, continue meds and treatments as prescribed by your doctor and therapist!)

(7/7)

Quick caveat - this is NOT to invalidate people who have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder, Dysthymia, Disruptive Mood Dysregulation Disorder, etc.

Rather - it is a reminder to say grief is a REAL HUMAN EMOTION that doesn't need to be cured. It just IS. (8/7)