"I agreed to therapy and honestly it has changed my life."

Hi my name is Cinthia. I have mental health problems. I suffer from various disorders but the one that receives the most stigma or fear is Borderline Personality Disorder. Since I was a child I was always different. I had issues with my temper, and difficulty relating to other people. I was always so impulsive with everything I did that people had difficulty keeping up with me. One moment you were my friend, the next moment you were my enemy for talking with someone else that wasn’t me. Later in my teen years is where the self-harming began. I harmed myself in various ways. It wasn’t just cutting but I would overeat or bite myself to the point that I would bleed. I was always so frustrated with myself that I never knew what to do. I felt so worthless and insecure about everything.

I would put on this mask to the outside world. I would pretend everything was ok. In reality it was not.

Eventually at the age of 21, I sought professional help. I was diagnosed and given medication. It didn’t solve all my problems but it was a start. However I will still having difficulties relating to others, anger issues, and was unable to control my random impulses.

I agreed to therapy and honestly it has changed my life. My advice to people would be please don’t be afraid to seek help.

I understand what it feels to be a foreign person in your own body. I know what it feels like to be judged, fear, criticized, or even bullied for who we are. Having a mental health disorder is nothing to be ashamed of. And it shouldn’t stop you from full filling you needs and desires. I’ll let you in on a secret. I am a THERAPIST. I’m not saying if I can do it you can too. What I am saying is: It is alright. You don’t have to hold back. You are not imperfect. You are not what people say.

You are all beautiful people who have as much of a right to live amazing lives as any other person.

So next time you hear someone stigmatize mental health, speak up! Say hey! I have a mental health disorder and I can live my life too.

Stigmas I would want to clear up:

1. We are not dangerous people

2. We are not hopeless cases. I know of therapist who are scared to treat this disorder but don’t let one bad therapist stop you.

3. We are not lazy or a psycho! Please stop telling us to get over it. Especially when experiencing our lows.

- Cinthia, 26