I have recently been diagnosed with generalized anxiety and depressive disorder. As such, I would like to take this time to remind people that depression and anxiety are indeed very real medical disorders and should be treated with the same amount care and awareness as any physical ailments.

It can be hard to understand, as each of these disorders varies in severity from person to person, and a lot of people go through their lives not knowing what is wrong with them or thinking that whatever it is probably doesn't matter, but it absolutely does. No one should go through it alone, no matter how severe it is.

The lack of true care for any of these diseases in this country is appalling. Either of these disorders are often lampooned by people who do not understand and treated as if they don't actually exist. They are just as real as any other illness and they are definitely nothing to be taken lightly. If you know someone who may be suffering from depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder, schizophrenia, OCD, or any other such mental illness, please understand and offer any help that you can, even if they don't ask for it. The best thing you can do for them is let them know you're there for them and that you support them. A few kind words can go a very long way.

And another thing: Just because someone 'seems' fine, doesn't mean they actually are. A hearty smile and a loud laugh can cover up the deepest of pain very well.