Eva Breda did not consider herself to be an anxious type: ‘I asked for help too late’ | True

“You, anxiety disorder? I never expected that from you.” Since my entire treatment can be listened to as a podcast, the whole world, including myself, gets to know me better. Scary but necessary because: a stain.

Depression, shock, homeless father, fear of being alone: ​​people don’t look for him after me. “Thank you,” I hear myself say. A compliment to my perseverance. For my flexibility and appearance. Courtesy of my upbringing and my mother who, despite all the misery and addiction in the house, was able to lay a solid foundation upon which my brother and I could build. We all did it well however, there is something wrong when I get that compliment.

How do we look at people with psychological problems?
I thought to myself for a long time that it’s not so bad with stigmas these days. It’s easier to talk about our mental health, isn’t it? On Instagram I regularly see #reallife talk or teary selfies. Stores are full of books on mental health. Even Princess Amalia and Queen Maxima openly indicated that talking to a psychiatrist was not a problem for them. all of that, A disgrace!

But beneath the surface it’s still raging. The way I hear some talking about these people showing their feelings on social media. “What an attention seeker. Is this necessary? “In the way I see people with mental problems being taken care of., this project is probably too much for you. I will take care of you.” In the way people praise me for how “normal”, successful, cheerful, or well-organized I look despite my complaints. Why am I not the type to suffer from mental illness? What does that say about our view of people with mental problems? It’s supposed to be sweet. But it is nothing more than a disgrace lovingly wrapped in a bundle of unwanted support and ignorance.

Almost half of the population of the Netherlands will have to deal with a mental illness in their lifetime. Yes, even those people who have a good job. Those people who laugh out loud at parties. These people have a beautiful family and a rich social life. Having psychological complaints does not automatically mean that you are no longer or can no longer be a part of society. Sometimes it is. Okay. Sometimes it is not. That’s okay too.

I’ve never seen myself as the type to suffer from an anxiety disorder either. The whole joke is that I didn’t realize for a long time that I was actually someone with an anxiety disorder. And that I called for help too late.

If someone tells you that they have psychological problems, do not fill in what the person needs, but ask what the person needs and listen. Swallow the “I never expected this from you” and help fight stigmas. Perhaps the day will come when I will be told: ‘You, an anxiety disorder? I really think you’re the type for that.” Well… Thank you for that.