What is Functional Depression 

I wish every therapist was as wonderful as Kati!!!

It sucks so bad that being depressed, to get any help you need to be very assertive. And being assertive is one of the things being depressed totally makes impossible to do.

I've been dealing with this type of depression since i was thirteen years old. I'm 23 now. It's getting worse for the past couple years. Some said it's a waste if i still have the depression while I'm having a pretty good and kinda stable job. But like you said it in this video I'm felt that I'm on the edge of falling completely apart now. People saw me functioning and thought my depression is very lightly and I'm exaggerate it. Really need to hear this from Kati. Thank you so much. p/s can you talk more about schizophrenic in your next video. Tq

It took me a long while before I could put into words how I felt . I told my doctor that I felt like I was drowning every single day of my life and every now and again I'd get above the water to take a breath and keep going, only to be sucked back down. The doctor acted surprised because I'm 26 and have never been on any medicine for it. I had to explain that because I could still function, I never felt like I was bad enough to seek help. I wasn't "worst case scenario" like you see on TV or in movies. It wasn't until someone said "what you're feeling is valid and real because you are feeling it" that I started seeking help. You don't have to be 'worst case scenario" to know that how you're feeling sucks and that you need help; it's enough just to feel it.

I love how you talk in the form of 'we' versus 'you' or 'they', it makes it more into a conversation and it feels really validating. Thank you!

The medical phrase that describes this is "I present well" - which means your presentation of symptoms and/or functioning, looks better than it actually is. You can put on a front of being ok, but then later crash when you're alone because you've put all your energy into appearing normal.

THANK YOU SO MUCH this video answers questions that have been circling around in my head for years. So so important and extremely encouraging! And I like how you addressed other clinicians you're brilliant and straight to the point. Thank you Kati!!!!

This kind of depresion after time it makes u emotionless

I had a therapist that I didn't really connect with that well, but I was scared to see anyone else, so I continued with it for about a year. This therapist knew that I had been struggling with depression for about 1.5 years before I started sessions with her, and I found lots of low-lows and high-highs throughout that time. Toward the end of our sessions, I told her that I was at the end of my rope, and that I didn't want to end up in the ER. I told her I was doing ok grade-wise at Uni, but I wasn't able to function well socially or independently otherwise, and she said, that because I had good grades in college, that I. Was. Doing. Fine. That I should just keep on doing what I am doing now. I would tell her about SH and all the negative "coping" skills I had used, and she would just kinda nod, and observe how extremely difficult it was for me to talk about them... ANYWAYS. Moral of the incredible long & disorganized story is if they are not doing there job, find someone who will. Try to find someone else. It took me YEARS to realise that it was ok to stop seeing a therapist because we didn't connect or because they weren't good at their job(is that brutal?). Or, if that isn't possible, like Kati said, there are chat's (katimorton.com) or I can personally recommend the app Pacifica to just chat and hang out and connect with other people! I don't know if this helped? lol, it helped me to get it all out :)

Thank you for being so passionate about this! I know it can be so hard for some of us to speak up, especially if speaking up in the past meant we were harmed or ignored. But being persistent until you find someone who listens is worth it. There are people who care. ❤

This is so relevant to how I've been feeling this past year or two. I'm in college, so everyone's always tired. I say I'm tired like it's an excuse for everything, but in reality most weeks it takes way too much effort to just get the bare minimum done, and it's been getting more difficult to keep up and feel like anything is worth the effort. It's good to know I don't have to become worse than i already feel to be taken seriously, if I do decide to reach out to someone about it. Great topic!

you are such a valuable part of the youtube community. you help so many people, and to do it on this platform, where it can reach other more. thank you for all you do

This is absolutely me. I look like I have my life together: I do well in school, I have a job, I manage my social and family life well, play sports, work out etc. etc., but internally I'm falling apart. It's like I can keep my life together until a certain point, and it's at that point that I try to end things, but I always hide that and immediately get thrown back into my 'normal' life, like nothing ever happened, until I break again. One day I woke make it out the other side, and that terrifies me. But it's so scary getting help. I don't want to admit that I need help...

1. I love your videos 2. Thank you so much for the one especially and mentioning the different norms for people's functionality. I've struggled on and of with crippling major depression and generalized anxiety disorder for 10 years (I'm almost thirty). I know what it's like to be at an absolute low where daily tasks that are supposed to be easy are impossible. I've been on different meds over the years, spent a week in a mental hospital, etc. I also know what it's like to come out on the other side recovered, reaching goals, and loving life. Unfortunately, I'm in the middle of an episode at the moment, and I'm starting to come out of it, but definitely not back to 100% when it comes to "my norm." This video really resonated with me because even though yes, im getting better and functional on the outside by most people's standards, I know deep down that this is not me at my personal highly functional state. I play it off well on the outside, but I still struggle with doing simple things, and just merely doing what I absolutely have to do to keep my job, pay my bills. Deep down, I'm not "me" yet and it's frustrating when people tell me that I seem fine. What they don't see if me behind closed doors and what I have to do and say to myself to get out of bed to shower and go to work. Point is, It shouldn't be soooooo hard, and I thank you deeply for this video. 3. Please continue to do what you are doing. You are an amazing human being, and what you are doing for people who struggle with mental health issues is admirable to say the least. 💙

This video was certainly the most helpful I’ve yet to find on this subject I really appreciate the insight where other videos point out the obvious or stereotypical effects in cases of depression this brings the real dark struggle into a much needed awareness.

This video is just what I needed! I've been trying to communicate to my therapist that I'm really struggling, but haven't know how. After watching this video I now know how I can help my therapist to help me. Thanks so much Kati! Keep being your awesome self!

Thank you for posting this video. It came at a perfect time. I've gone through depression before and developed a lot of coping skill, have a wonderful job but... now it is creeping back. I've been kind of in denial about it for months, pushing it back, telling myself that it will go away, just haven't wanted to find myself there, again. I'm getting through life fine, no one really knows as far as I know, but it is exhausting having to do this every day. I just noticed it take a turn for the worse and I've gotta get in to see someone. Thank you for posting this because it perfectly describes what I'm coping with right now.

love your videos Kati! I haven't been watching them long but I'm so glad I've found your channel. I hope you're having a lovely day xx

This video couldn't have come at a better time. Thank you, Kati!

I've been watching your videos lately. I just found your channel a few weeks ago and I love it. You're really helpful.

I love this kind of energy Kati has in this video

That's exactly what I needed to hear today... and last night, and tomorrow. This is exactly what is going on right now, in my life. Thank you Kati.

Hi Kati! I saw you a few times at VidCon last weekend and I am so glad I found your channel. I think you're doing a wonderful job! I have been waiting to get the help I need for about 3 or 4 months now and I finally got word that my therapy will start in 2 weeks from now. 2 psychologists have told me I am depressed and suffer from severe anxiety and I am actually so glad I will be able to slowly start maintaining/keeping under control my mental illness. Love you 💕

Thank you so much for posting this. I've been struggling to be heard by professionals all year.

LOVE this Kati! And yes, absolutely, when we are struggling it is SO important that we ask for what we need and not expect people to know what we're going through or read our minds. You are making such an important difference in the world!

Honestly thank you for this video. I have been trying to work up the courage to see my doctor about depression but have constantly been conflicted with the idea that "I wasn't ill enough". Everything you see online with depression is normally about people's lives falling apart and although I feel absolutely terrible my life isn't falling apart but I feel like it could do any minute. This really helped me understand myself better and encouraged me to find help. Thank you xx

Your such an amazing person!!! I love these videos!!

I'm from Romania and from what i know professionals here help those with functional depression. For example, I also had functional depression and i got help as soon as i asked for it. I don't know if i was lucky or because i was suicidal, but right now i am very grateful for this ^_^

Thank you so much Kati for making this video, I really needed it. I appreciate all that you do and without your videos I know that I would have ended my life. Thanks for saving me and helping me get through it, one day at a time.

Such and important topic! Great video again, Kati!

This video is so so important!! Thank you

I think this is true for anxiety as well. When I first talked to a doctor about anxiety, I functioned too well to get help. After a year, the symptoms had gotten a lot worse, and I was feeling suicidal, and then I was finally referred to a therapist. I didn't feel like neither my therapist or my doctor took me seriously, but this video made me feel a lot better about it because it makes sense that perhaps these things get "normalized" for them after a while. So thank you for bringing that up:)

Thank you so much for your videos; they are a real lifeline to me. I have an emergency appointment with my psychiatrist today after trying really hard to get a medical review. Three times I was told just to wait and to make sure I'm not on my own. It took my partner ringing them for them to take me seriously. With your tips from this video I'm sure I'll be able to convince them that something isn't right. Thank you so much!!

love this video kati! thank you so much for all your help and the effort you put into making these videos x

Love this video! I’m really shy and barely speak, I have depression for about 10 years now and I actually feel like I’m hanging on by a thread. This is motivating stuff and such an important message for ppl struggling. Thanks Kati. 😀

Do you think it's normal to get scared to get better? I hate having ptsd/depression/anxiety but now that I'm starting to get better I notice myself wanting to stay like this and not get better- why is it so hard to let yourself be okay again?

This is literally what I have been looking for... thanks!

I had to do this with my therapist recently. I ended up emailing her the morning after I saw her and felt like I wasn't taken seriously. She fit me in that day and we talked more about what I was trying to explain the day before. It's frustrating, but necessary. Thank you for this video as I'm not struggling specifically ED-wise anymore, but with stress, anxiety and more day-to-day function/productiveness.

so important! I have functional depression and when I told my mom she said well you seem happy even though I felt like I was at the bottom of the ocean it ended up going away by a couple days but those few Days were awful. this video is so important!

Kati I love your videos and appreciate your content SO much. I know several people that have used your channel as a lifeline in times of trouble, what you do is so amazing. I have a personal request, could you do another video about schizophrenia? I have a loved one that was recently diagnosed and the downward spiral happened SO fast. Complete inability to work, or function at all. Positive symptoms have mostly been eliminated with medications, but the negative symptoms seem to be more disabling.. almost totally silent, still all the time, stares at walls.. it's like he is just gone. Thanks for all you do, you're an amazing human and so many of us appreciate your work more than you could know.

thank you so much for this video. This is how I was feeling for weeks when my depression first begin to really take a hold of me and my life. Thankfully after a few weeks of experiencing that hell and feeling so alone I was able to reach out to someone who really helps me. Now I am starting therapy next week and in the meantime I am working with a counselor online. They're truly are so many resources, you just have to find them and reach out for help. Even when it's really difficult and you feel like no one would listen. I'm feeling more optimistic and hopeful for my future and I know that someday I will be able to get past this. In the meantime I'm doing all that I can two stay positive and not let the feelings of depression and worthlessness overpower me. What you said about people being able to handle different levels of stress is absolutely true. At my job for example I used to be able to handle so much stress any day of the week normally. Lately those same levels of stress have caused me to break down crying and I am no longer able to function normally. But it was that break down that caused me to finally reach out for help. I highly recommend to anyone watching this video or reading this comment to go reach out to someone today if you need help. If you are thinking about therapy then you were at the point where you do need it. And that is something to be proud of not ashamed of :-) wishing everyone all the best. Thanks again for this video!!

UGH THANK YOU KATI YOU'RE SO HELPFUL

Best description of dystymia that I ever heard. High functional depression is worse than major depression because it never leaves u alone and it kinda of steals your life away. Is exactly how you described it on this video ppl think that you're ok. because you still show up to work and feed yourself etc. but they have no idea the struggle you life is on the inside. Thank you for talking about this Kati it is really necessary 🙏

Thanks so much for answering this question and everyone's experiences in the comments. Going to go back to my doctor soon and get the help I need even if I need to get pushy and mad. Sucks so much that this is what you've got to do but it's time I got the help I need! THANKS SO MUCH KATI xxx

I loved this video, and I LOVED seeing you at vidcon for the mental health talk and the troll-talk

Thanks, Kati! We got this! Strangely enough your videos (even though they're not generally about something positive) always make me feel better :) Thank you for all the wonderful work you do! We really do appreciate it! :)

Great video as usual Kati!! This is so helpful! I'm kinda at the point of falling apart. I'm not going to work or getting out of bed but this video has been so helpful. Your videos always seem to come at the right time. Xxx

I've never commented on a video before but wow, this right here is helping me in so many ways Thank you

Thanks for the info! Your great !

been trying to describe what im feeling and this video gave me a start! thanks to whoever asked this and thanks kati for answering!

Thank you, Katie💝

I suppose to have counseling, the week before last week, but glad am on your channel to see your advice.

Kati, Kati, Kati... it is almost strange how on target and how incredibly helpful the last couple of videos have been. I feel like I am barely hanging on at the moment and not for a lack of trying - going to therapy twice a week but still I feel so broken and so exhausted in wading through all the dreck which comes with dealing with trauma - I feel like I have no capacity left to open a book and exams are fastly approaching - I have no energy to get into a shower... All I want to do is sleep. And yes, I am getting up and going to work because I know i have to but short of that I feel like I am just not coping. My psychologist is great, really she is and she offers me so much support, above and beyond what one is allowed to expect I think but somehow I am still incredibly lost and scared and broken. So, thank you as always Kati, for giving me another little thread to hold on to...

This is great, Katie! Thanks! This is something I really struggle with. I can only make it through the day by using unhealthy coping mechanisms and completely crashing when I get home. The added stress of graduating this year and the unknown that lies beyond that isn't helping things.

wonderful video Kati! I've been struggeling with this type of depression since I was a kid and I still don't feel like I'm getting the help I need even though I've been seeking it out. I also wanted to thank you for your contribution to the featured creator show at vidcon. It was really touching and a topic that needs to adressed in all settings.

Kati, thank you so much for your insight. After tons of trauma.. everything from surviving shootings, to movie quality betrayals... I was dysfunctionally depressed for a long time. I've been functionally depressed for a while now but its gotten to the point where I'm slipping again... I finally had to tell my doctor that I'm doing EVERYTHING I can to keep my mouth above water... that the idea of dying has appealed to me and I'd like to do something about it before I start warming up to the idea more... Was finally put on antidepressants. I'm currently looking for a new therapist because mine isnt aggressive enough for me, despite being a lovely person.

You are amazing and have great advice. Thank you for this video.

Thank you Kati! It is unbelievable, and sad, just how many people (mainly women in my circles) walk around with high levels of anxiety and depression yet seem to function "enough". I sought out and received help but others are scared to.

I love this so much... Thank u!!

Thanks for this! It's nice to hear that you don't have to be in bed 24/7. My old mental health nurse said I didn't have depression because I could go to work and if I was depressed I'd be in bed unable to get up for 2 weeks or more. After hearing this week after week it pushed me over the edge and I tried to take my own life because no matter how much I tried to tell her how much life is a struggle, it felt like I wasn't being listened to. This is all after I was off sick for 9 months with my GP saying I had anxiety and depression. So I don't know why she wouldn't listen to me. I'm now out of hospital and still not diagnosed with depression from my local mental health team although I'm on a long waiting list for depression and anxiety therapy. It was 31st Aug when I tried to take my life and I've still got no support from them. I'm no good at being assertive and I think that is my downfall with them.

Thank you for this- I think its very useful. I wish I had this info as it took me to fall apart before I was able to get help. I hope and encourage anyone who is watching this and thinks they might be struggling to really be honest- especially with yourself- for me I was in denial of my struggles. And know that its okay to break too. Breaking does not mean you are weak. You are so strong and you can do this!

This is truly an excellent video. People should listen

Thank you for this.

This is something I've really been struggling with this lately. I'm a college student with a 3.8 GPA. I go to class. I talk to my friends. I spend time with my family. But I still know I'm not living the life I'm capable of living. I avoid most social situations. Any time I'm not in class, I'm in my bed. I haven't been able to pursue jobs and internships because I'm so down and scared. Every day I'm exhausted, no matter how well I sleep and how little I do. I'm so thankful that I now have a therapist who recognizes my depressive symptoms and I just started taking antidepressants. I felt like my mental illness was never addressed because I use humor to cope and always downplay my symptoms, even when talking to professionals. This is SUCH an important video and I'm hoping it will encourage more people to seek treatment and not give up. Thank you so much for spreading the word on topics such as this. Much love

I teared up a bit w/ this vid. Thanks, Kati. I'll be taking the assertive approach. #prayersforhelp #action

Thank you for this. This is exactly what I needed to know. I found this video from a friends suggestion after I asked if she knew a therapist because I finally think it might be time to talk to one.

Thank you for this video. I started watching your channel a couple days ago and you seem really damn great at what you do. I´ve suspected I have depression/anxiety since I found out it exists and what it is, but I´ve never reached out for help because I can mostly function most of the time and I feel like I don´t deserve it/ don´t have a REAL reason to. I dropped out of the college because I couldn´t handle it long term and literally spend a YEAR shut at home and I still felt it´s just because I´m lazy or that I have just generally bad personality. This video really intensely spoke to me, as if you were saying this to me personaly. I think this "functional depression" term and what you said about different levels of functioning is something that can really help me recognize that my problem IS in fact a real problem and try to get help.

Hi Katie! I cannot stress how glad I am that you've put up this video. There are far too many people dealing with depression that, from the outside, seem highly functional. I'm one of them. Sadly, it took me almost 9 years of knocking on doors and begging for help in order to be heard. I had been to both therapists and psychiatrists only to hear "oh, come on, you don't have it that bad. Look at you: You're pulling two jobs". In the end I had to commit myself to a psych ward because my suicidal ideations had become too intense and, go figure, I was no longer functional. It angers me to see so many people in pain so easily dismissed and have their struggles invalidated. Again, thank you so so so so much for talking about this!

Thank you great Channel Kati 😊

Thankyou for this omg. I can finally reach out without feeling guilty because someone else has it worse or because I'm not about to jump off a building. And that sounds dumb but I just,, feel so encouraged now thankyou so much.

I very nearly had a psychotic break last year from a reaction to Prozac. I did not know how to ask for help. The people in my life who loved me were too passive or in denial of how bad of a state I was in. Not sleeping, rage, it was horrible. My work simply gave me the employee assistance program number and were basically like good luck to you. Thankfully I was in therapy and seeing a psychiatrist already and my husband was my assertive voice that something was wrong. A year later and I have the same feelings I did last year about work. After 15 years, recovering from alcoholism, and a new perspective on life, I realize the incompatibility my job is with my ability to handle stress. I’ve tried so hard to figure out why others at work don’t seem to have the same struggle I do. Thank you for the reminder we are all different and have different capacities for stress.

Kati thanks for everything. Sometimes I feel you're the only person, who truly understands me

Hi Kati! You were amazing at VidCon this weekend! I had to be very pushy about my anxiety, because I was still functioning, but I did exactly this with the list. I brought in a 15 point list with things I couldn't do (public transport, answering emails, going to the gym etc.) because of my anxiety and how that affected my life. I also explained to him how fast the "symptoms" had set in and how I used to be. It really helped open my doctor's eyes and I got a refferal to a psychologist.

Thank you so much. This really helped me and I subscribed to you.

Kati Morton, thankyou!

I love the light ring reflection in people's eyes. Whenever I see myself with that, I try and match up the ring with my retinas. Makes my eyes look cool.

This is great! Ive been dealing with this my entire life and had to repress all of my feelings just to function. I'm learning to feel again. But you will sometimes have to really demand help.

Thank you for doing this video. I've been feeling this way for a while. It finally took stopping a police officer at 1:30 in the morning, and convincing me to try another hospital then follow me to the nearest hospital to an evaluation. To get something done. Thank you

katie, thank you so much for this video. honestly, i've been wondering if my mental state qualifies as depression and wanting to go to a therapist to talk to them and be sure about that for a while now, but this video made me realize that i have been "barely functioning" for like... almost a year now, if not more. it gave me the push i needed to admit that things are not okay and that i need help. thank you.

I think this is very important to talk about, and would have helped me when I started experiencing depression about 7 years ago. A huge part of my personal growth has been realizing that just because I was functioning during my depression doesn't mean it wasn't serious.

My family are mostly alcoholics and I have lived with alcoholic emotional abuse my whole life, who thinks I should just snap out of this, they have now idea what I’m going through, than God I had the strength to go see a therapist on my own. ❤️ you prob won’t see this but ...Thank you Kati, I find lots of comfort in your video’s

This really speaks to me.

AWESOME TOPIC!

Yes thank you

This video made me cry. I just got a therapist. I get PTSD triggers that cause me to feel either anxious or depressed depending on the trigger and some days I just want to take a mental health day but it’s like you can’t. Thank you for this video!

I really like this video. Some people have one bad day and they are DEPRESSED and then there's me (and I know others in the comment section will relate) who have dealt with similar feelings constantly and we tough it out cause it's the norm.

i needed this video.

Hi I am a therapist and I have functional depression resulting from trauma. It’s amazing how when I am with clients I am totally functional and I am able to help them. It’s when I am alone that I have depressive thoughts. That is why I feel no matter what the depression having healthy connection is v important

I waited until I wasn't functioning to get help. I had a massive anxiety attack and broke down and couldn't focus or think straight. I wish now that I'd sought medical advice earlier but I live in New Zealand and we get taught to toughen up or just push it aside and deal with it. So I thought because I was functioning with everyday life, I was fine and capable and it wasn't serious because I could still live my everyday life. Turns out I had severe depression and anxiety and my doctor was highly concerned about my wellbeing.

Thanks for this video Kati, I have depression. I go to school and work with no problems and can follow a schedule but I feel really shitty most of the day. I also have days were I'm just really sad... all day. It's so hard to get help when no ones believes you are depressed. I've been taking to my teacher more about it and I might bring it up during my IEP testing today. Unfortunately my mom won't let me go to my meeting alone but my IEP team knows that she is emotionally abusive and doesn't support my future plans but they said they are on my side so they support my decisions only. My mom is coming uninvited, so she will definitely have a lot of explaining to do at the meeting. I'm really scared because they can't protect me outside of school but I have to trust that they will help me.

Wow this is awesome Kati! Can you do a video about topics like this and anxiety from a loved ones side. Sometimes i wish i had more help or knowledge to know what to do when your a persons support system. My Fiancé has sometimes severe depression and anexity but im able to keep him barely functional. Id love to hear more about what i can do to support someone with mental illness what to say and not to say what to do etc... thanks - John from Vancouver Canada

Hi Kati! I just wanna to let you know you are really helpful to me. I have been struggling a lot lately and have been feeling like this for a very long time. I never know what to do or where or who to go to for help. I feel like I have no one to talk to or vent to without them throwing it back in my face. I’m at the point where I’ve had enough all of it. But I’m not giving up. I am trying to fight this, but I’m doing this alone. There are people who want to help me, but my attitude is too much for them. I don’t think anybody would want to be around me at all. I don’t know what to do anymore.

I want to get help but I'm to sacred.And my family tells almost everyday no one would miss me when I'm gone.I wish I could be as strong as you Kati

This video literally came at the perfect time! Just broke down to a friend about this very issue yesterday. Now to only reach out for support from a professional...

make a video about homicidal thoughts (not intentions)

The only way I've been able to get them to listen is to try and explain what's different. Because when you've had depression a long time, you can end up saying 'I'm low' or even 'I'm suicidal' a lot. But it can help to go into an appointment and say something along the lines of 'last week I was low but this week I'm struggling to shower' or 'last week I was suicidal but this week it's constant and nothing is lifting it and it's getting harder to not carry out'. Or something like that. Also I'm UK based and the most helpful thing I've found is having an amazing GP who sees me weekly because the mental health system can see me max every three weeks unless I'm in crisis (and that's CMHT, too). Blurt are also a fab depression charity and have a great peer to peer support group on Facebook.

"Sometimes you have to shout to be heard." It seems simple but that really registered in my mind.

Hi Kati, I think your videos are absolutely amazing! I've been going through all of the videos regarding depression, but have only found bits and pieces from each video I relate to. Could you possibly do a video on what disorder these symptoms fall into? Ending social life pretty much straight after school Having trouble expressing emotions "properly" Purposely forgetting parts of life unless they were particularly traumatic or happy Getting triggered by simple, petty things into a bout of feeling like wanting to do literally nothing Having emotional breakdowns after particular events (being told off, seeing something that triggers a traumatic memory, etc.)

Your videos have helped me identify what I’ve been dealing with for years. I have high functioning anxiety and depression and I’m hanging on by a thread. I’m so good at making everyone think I’m ok but I’m screaming for someone to see that I’m not. Idk what to do anymore.

I’ve struggled all my life and finally felt like I could voice this properly and go through the lengthy process to finally seek treatment as I break down on an almost quarterly basis and I’m doing “really well” but I feel like it’s not healthy for me to need to be so busy and productive all the time. After months I finally got to the referral stage, got them to admit that I had symptoms of bpd but then was told out right “but you’re not bad enough”. My letter from them summarising my referral meeting left out anything concerning I said and even had inaccuracies like saying I work full time when I’m a student. When I told the gp all this she suggested that I found it harder before because puberty’s difficult and I’ve only come out the other end in the last year. Do professionals not realise that when you are “bad enough” you don’t have the energy, confidence or optimism to jump through hoops and explain to professional after professional all the stuff you can’t stand hearing. I wish I’d watched this video first because I’m never bothering with uk mental health services again.