Dove Cameron Wants You To Be Wary Of 'A Narrow View Of Depression'

Dove Cameron has habitually been open about her mental health, and she isn't afraid to stand her ground any time people overstep her boundaries.


On Tuesday (December 2), the star observed on Twitter that she had found a uptick in "articles speculating about 'why' I must be 'sad,' [and] feeling very frustrated with how the media/some people portray mental health." Her tweet came soon after another series of tweets she posted in late November that advocated for therapy as a resource if it was accessible to people.


She had previously said how she was "feeling a little lighter, however also heavily reminded of just how much real work I have to do/pain I have to untangle" following a therapy session. Yet that vague allusion was seemingly all it took for people to speculate what brought up her observation, or her pain — which is a dangerous practice, given that people can go to therapy for a assortment of reasons, and experts agree that numerous factors could include to stress or trauma.


So Dove put an end to any speculation by addressing the rumors head-on with Tuesday's tweets. "Yes, several things have happened in my life, there really are probably several with little effort summarized reasons that an outsider could with little effort grasp, or label," she wrote, noting that she has experienced several deaths, losses, several things that you can literally point to and mention 'it’s probably that.' And while those things are massive contributing factors, and each person holds grief and loss differently, I some days feel that defining sadness or suffering/any and all pain is very diminishing of the human experience of pain. Those things, those losses, define me in so several ways. However to mention that they are the only sources of pain and sadness in my life, is simply not true," she underscored.


She also engaged with a fan who sympathized, and wondered how she felt about attempting to unpack her own feelings in the public eye. "It’s also damaging that they already think they know, and that they assume that what they know about me all There really is to know about me," Cameron added. "So once they talk about my life in 'highlights' like that’s the entirety of it, it encourages a narrow view of depression/trauma."


Everyone, no matter how successful or famed, is dealing with feelings to which most people will never be privy. Just because someone seems like they have it with each other, doesn't explain the entire picture. There's no shame in seeking help, and going to therapy if it's the correct alternative for you doesn't make you any far less successful a person.


According to the Center for Infection Control, more than half of Residents of the United States will be diagnosed with a mental illness or disorder in their lifetimes. What's more, the National Institute of Mental Health reports that one in four young people aged 13-18 are affected by anxiety, and an estimated one in three adults will grapple with anxiety at some point in their lives. Those numbers can seem overwhelming, yet they also underscore a vital truth: That people who are attempting to navigate and take care of their mental health aren't alone. And just as crucially, there really are resources accessible to people seeking help, at all cost points and geared to help people in different ways.


Or as Cameron put it, "This life is hard, y’all. And mental health/needing help is nothing to be ashamed of. [...] Before you could can support anyone else, you've got to help yourself. You matter."


If you or someone you know is struggling with their emotional health, head to halfofus.Com for ways to get help.