After watching Gisele Bündchen break down on national television, about her experience with anxiety and having suicidal thoughts, I decided to discuss the issue because many people are going through this. People looking on the outside looking in, may not even expect that they are going through anything because everything looks so perfect on the outside. In case you don’t know who Gisele is a Victoria Secret model and is married Patriot player, Tom Brady. So what exactly happened you may ask, how does a woman as beautiful as her even think of suicide? Her life is perfect right? The answer is wrong, it is far from perfect. In her interview, she stated, “things can be looking perfect on the outside, but you have no idea what’s really going on,” she said. “I felt like maybe it was time to share some of my vulnerabilities, and it made me realize, everything I’ve lived through, I would never change, because I think I am who I am because of those experiences.” She had it all on the outside, she had a $25 million contract from Victoria Secret, and was at the peak of her career but was not happy she was suffering with anxiety and claustrophobia that often times left her feeling like she just wanted to kill herself to end it all.
Her coming out and sharing her experience really sheds light on what is happening with many successful men and women. So many people are secretly struggling with mental illnesses but are ashamed, because they do not want to be seen as weak. I think that this stigma has to stop, it is a true act of bravery when someone is able to openly share their experience with millions of people. If you are suffering in silence it is time to end that silence and to share your experience with others, you do not have to share it with everyone but you should not be suffering in silence. There is help out there, and most of all you are not alone, so many others are in pain just like yourself. It’s time to heal and become whole, and to stop carrying on as if things are okay.
Talk to someone, anyone that you feel comfortable with, I personally recommend speaking with a therapist. A therapist is trained and will be able to help you on your journey of healing and will not judge you so there is no added pressure.
What are some ways you have coped with mental illness?
Thank you for writing about this. I think it’s so important to seek help. A therapist is a good option because they are trained, and everything is confidential. However if someone cannot afford this or doesn’t like the idea of talking to a therapist, there are alternative options. I found acupuncture to be very helpful in treating anxiety. If you do research there are some affordable options, and some employers offer flex spending accounts through their benefits, which may cover “alternative” treatment such as acupuncture. Additionally community acupuncture is gaining popularity in the US and is an affordable option: https://www.pocacoop.com/what-is-ca-long-answer