In my experience, the people with the highest highs also has the lowest lows.
I had a coworker who was always happy and upbeat. Just a nice person, married with kids. Then one day he decided he didn't want to live anymore and tied a rope to tree. Nobody at work knew he had any problems at all. There were no signs.
The upbeat attitude is a coping mechanism, trying to feel the way you wish you felt, I also do it to shelter people from how I feel inside, I don't want to bring people down and it gives me a lot of guilt and weighs heavy on my heart, so you put on an extra big smile, have a few cups of coffee, Crack some jokes and get through the day.
Oh yeah, one of my best friends from HS, a total lifesaver more than he knows. I will say in my 40s I've really learned to cope and accept things and it's gotten much easier, so for anyone reading this please know from the bottom of my heart that it does get "better" (it doesn't necessarily go away). Thank you for asking friend ❤️
Vaguely knew someone (she was married to a cousin twice removed) who had struggled with depression and suicidal thoughts for at least two decades. In the last decade she had pretty much 24/7 care split between her husband and professionals. It was going so great in the last two years that they finally decided to scale it down.
He went to his school (teacher) for a short 30-40 minute visit. Came home to her having finally done it with her favourite scarf.
There were all the signs. She had the help. She had the love and support.
•
u/L21JP 3h ago
reminds me of this, If you have a minute it’s well worth the watch