Watch: Kristen Bell opens up about the mental health double standard and how she manages her own struggle.
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Hit reblog on this so hard
As a neuro-divergent person with a child who is starting to exhibit similar symptoms, I make a point to talk to her about my various illnesses.
“Mommy, why do you take so many pills?”
“Well mommy’s body doesn’t work like other peoples’ bodies do. My brain sometimes works too hard at trying to keep me safe and makes me unnecessarily afraid of well…lots of stuff.”
“Like what?”
“Oh geeze that’s tough. Ummm…like taking the bus.”“You’re afraid of taking the bus!?”
“Yes, honey, I am. My brain worries that I’ll miss my bus, which is a normal worry. But then it starts to think ‘Oh no! If I miss my bus, I’ll miss my class and my prof will fail me and I will be a failure and Oh GOD NO I am suddenly homeless for some reason!!!’ ”
“What?! No! Really, mommy?!”
“Yes, honey, and that’s not even the half of it!”
Whenever I get depressed and I’m in bed, she’ll sometimes comfort me.
“I know you’re sad sometimes, Mommy, because your brain makes you sad and makes your body hurt, but it’s ok. Tomorrow might be better for you.” and She’ll cuddle with me for a while.
It’s really important to let children know this stuff.
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