There are signs that extraterrestrial beings walk among us…
Aliens, disguised in human form, are walking, talking, and living all around us. These otherworldly beings take on familiar appearances to invade our world as those we are close with... a friend, significant other, co-worker, or even a family member. Sure, some obviously failed their classes at the Academy of Human Appearance and Etiquette on their home planet, resulting in abnormal behavior and peculiar etiquette. Still, most of these aliens are highly skilled in camouflaging their identity, even from close friends and relatives.
For those aliens cleverly disguised, the only sure tell of their otherworldly way of life is when these strange beings confess their hidden thoughts and inner feelings. Many instances have been documented of these alien's doubts, struggles, and weaknesses being disclosed with the non-alien population of Earth, often resulting in devastating results. These case studies reveal that a standard Earthling response is immediately separating from these aliens, calling them un-relatable, weak, or pathetic…
Unable to relate to the aliens, these “normal humans” make accusations that the intense emotions and mental anguish experienced by extraterrestrial weirdos are unfounded, and should be ignored. After all, human culture teaches its people, “buck up and get over it," from a very young age. Unfortunately, this approach has been shown to have a desperately low success rate among the alien species. As a result, these extraterrestrials are widely misdiagnosed as broken, misfit, or crazy by the Earthling community. Only in recent years have Earth's populations have begun to understand the alien inhabitants and are now spreading positive awareness of their existence.
After examining the internal and external evidence in my own life, I have realized I am also one of these aliens in disguise. Much thought and consideration have been given to this analysis, and I can no longer deny what I am… an awkward alien.
What’s Your Issue?
Whether humans like to admit it or not, both depression and anxiety are complex issues that many people face in this world today. These conditions take on many forms, which range in severity from person to person. Working professionally with at-risk teenagers, I have seen how these struggles cause many victims to experience very alien-like thoughts of isolation, loneliness, and despair. If you fall into this category, don’t let this get you down. If you're struggling with any of the common expressions of depression or anxiety outlined below, you are not as different as you think… and you are definitely not alone.
Situation #1 – “I Don’t Want To Exist.”
This thought may cross your mind from time to time. It isn’t that you want to end things... you just wish that the world would stop and you could opt-out of existing anymore. It can be a strong sentiment, especially if “nothing” is what you are feeling inside. After reaching this point, apathy reigns in your life, and it’s common to find yourself wishing you could care. It’s hard to care about your mental health when you cannot care about anything, after all. Hiding this mentality can be exceedingly challenging, considering the lack of motivation you may possess. This is one of the worst situations I have faced because it makes me feel absolutely sub-human. Almost alien…
Situation #2 – “I’m Just Hurting.”
This is what I think of as classic depression. The problem is not that you don’t feel; it's that you feel too much. Despair, hopelessness, and failure fill your mind, regardless of the external realities. Even in a room filled with loving family and friends, the ever-present thought of “I am alone” or “no one loves me“ can’t be shaken. Of course, this is incorrect, but the idea is overpowering, and the weight of it can be soul-crushing. You may still put on a smile for others, but inside you know it is a forced response and not a reflection of your condition. Every day seems dark and gray because you carry storm clouds around in your mind. At its worst, this situation can cause you to make rash decisions to stop the pain. Once again, you feel so different from everyone around you might as well be from another planet…
Situation #3 – “Life Is Overwhelming.”
Overwhelmed can become a constant state of mind for those struggling with anxiety. The feeling that life is too much to handle, and the world is too scary to face is inescapable. The walls are closing in around you, and your life feels like a free fall. When anxiety hits, your typical responsibilities appear heavier than usual, and even the small tasks seem like mountains in your mind. Finding yourself overwhelmed with anxiety or suffering from unexpected panic attacks becomes part of the daily routine. Something about this condition makes you acutely aware of all the people looking at you… even when they are not. You know their judging eyes are piercing through your soul, viewing all your shortcomings and failures. You are sure they can detect that you are not one of them. You become convinced that you must be an outsider.
So, What Should You Do?
Let’s be clear. I am not an agent from Area 51, nor am I a doctor. I can’t diagnose you or give you the details from the latest scientific journals on treating depression or anxiety. However, from my experience assisting others struggling with these issues and as a fellow alien, I have a few strategies to share with you.
1st – Re-evaluate
On a personal level, I have always struggled with my mental health. During certain seasons of each year, I slip into a mild depression. My thoughts are perpetually cloudy, and I become chronically tired for months. It took years of studying my own physical and psychological patterns to recognize this cycle in my life. Monitoring and evaluating my attitudes and symptoms over time has given me the information necessary to make it when dark days may come along. Capturing the conditions, symptoms, and frequency of my issues all aid in better medical diagnoses by an actual doctor. It has also made me aware of how to best take care of myself.
Instead of making immediate judgments, become a student of your own behaviors. Allow others you are close with to help monitor this as well. You need people around you to be aware of what you are going through when depression or anxiety strikes. You need their insight, since your judgment may be clouded in these stressful times. As you focus on how you function in and out of these seasons, you will begin seeing the rhythms of your mind and body. You will learn new things about yourself, such as how stress levels, medication, exercise, sleep, sunlight, relationships, and even time of the day affect you. Continually reevaluate your life and become an expert on yourself.
2nd – Recalibrate
Please, please, please never use the obstacles you face as an excuse for avoiding life. Often, many come to an understanding that their emotional and physical challenges are real and then leverage those disorders to evade their responsibilities. Don't allow this to happen in your life. Just because your hurdle may be bigger than the person’s obstacle next to you, we are all in this human race together. Finish that race well, and don’t quit. Recognize the real barriers in your life and adjust accordingly.
Contrary to hiding, another common response to mental health issues is attempting to ignore them altogether. These individuals pretend their problems are not real and continue fighting through life as they always have. Ignoring an obstacle is never the right solution. Those who do often push themselves too hard or get hurt by barreling through problems they can't face alone. Admit you have a fight ahead of you and be wise as you move forward. If you become tactical on your approach to mental health, you can reach your goals.
I have attempted both of the mentioned approaches and can vouch that they only make circumstances worse. Don’t ignore or avoid the depression and anxiety you may be feeling. Take what you have learned about yourself to recalibrate your life to more effectively address your mental health symptoms.
- If more sleep helps during these seasons, go to bed earlier so you can wake up rested and still make it to class, work, or wherever you are expected on time.
- Get organized. If you can’t take on as much work, plan to have less on your plate in advance before you are forced to quit a commitment halfway through.
- If anxiety is a factor, draft a mental plan on how to calm yourself down. Think of this as your fire escape route for your worried mind. Make that plan before going into stressful environments.
- For some, taking medication should be considered. If you consider medicine to be some sort of “crutch,” give some thought to all the people who use crutches, walkers, or wheelchairs. What about insulin, antibiotics, or other types of lifesaving medications? It exists for a reason, and crutches are useful in the right situations. Don't feel any shame or pride if you actually need it.
Recalibrate your life according to your mental health needs. You owe it to yourself and your story to stay healthy and continue functioning responsibly.
3rd – Remember
When a ship is sinking, desperate attempts are made to hold onto whatever can be found to avoid descending into the ocean's abyss. However, a wooden plank or shark fin is no substitute for a life raft when you're surrounded by watery chaos... You need a life raft. The same is true for your mental health.
The same is true when adversity hits. People are prone to panic as it's kinda our go-to. If there's nothing around to steady us, we cling to whatever we can. When anxiety or depression hits you hard, you need to have dependable reminders you are valuable and not alone. You need a life raft to hold onto in these situations. Without something steady, you will latch onto the nearest lie in your head to make sense of what is happening in your world. Usually, these lies are incredibly unhealthy and will only further damage your sanity and the relationships around you.
Identify the life rafts into your life you can hold onto when conditions take a dark turn. Use it to remember all the good in life and who you are. A life raft may look like a good friend, your faith, a simple phrase of hope, a good song, or listing out the reasons why your life is valuable... Wherever you find this hope, always remember why your life is worth living. When sailing oceans of depression or seas of anxiety, a life raft will keep your head above water.
4th – Remain
Don’t give in – Don’t give up! These feelings of depression and anxiety you're experiencing will pass in time. We may not know how long our struggles will last, but everything has an expiration date. Even your darkest season. Too many humans have given up the ghost right before their darkness is about to turn to light. Don’t use a permanent solution to solve a temporary problem. Keep holding strong.
Stay in the fight, surround yourself with friends, keep your faith, and focus on what's true rather than the lies…. You are stronger than you realize. You will make it, young alien!