Mental Illness Is No Joke
By Deborah Hill, LCSW (Ret.)
Mental illness is a health condition that affects thoughts, feelings, and behaviors—and makes everyday functioning harder. (NIH) Think: Depression, Anxiety, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, Schizophrenia, ADHD, and more.
I often write about how we all make choices to meet our needs. But for those living with mental illness, that process can feel like walking through fog. Brain chemistry can distort reality and make even basic questions harder to answer:
- What do I want?
- What am I doing to get it?
- Is it working?
- Why or why not?
- What could I do instead?
Mental illness isn’t a character flaw. It’s not weakness. It’s not “just in your head.” And it’s definitely not a joke.
Working with a trained therapist can help untangle thoughts, challenge distorted beliefs, and build a life worth living—even if a cure isn’t possible.
If you’re struggling, please know: You are not alone. You are not broken.
And you can feel better—with help.
Deborah Sickle Hill 