The Phantom Phenomenon

It’s been lying low over the years, working undercover. You see, it’s not like a physical wound or scar you would notice at the first glance and it is much more intricate to heal, a simple tablet might not always do the job. It takes much stronger pills like patience, love, reassurance and understanding to discharge a patient battling mental health issues.

It doesn’t turn up after examining your appearance or bank balance, instead takes a direct route to your brain. Even a successful career or socially accepted physique or ample wealth can not dodge away from it. Had that been the case all therapists would have been jobless. I have seen, at first hand, unrealistically beautiful, wealthy, the-appear-to-have-it-all people with insecurities, self-doubt and anxiety. Vulnerable, on-edge or hesitant would have been the last words I would have used to describe them.

We are impending doom, so in the little time we have let’s not disregard, overlook or doubt someone trying to open up about their mental health, let’s be kind and considerate to all, for the intangible ailments are much harder to confront and cope with, given their superpower of invisibility.

Illustration | 2019 | Adobe Illustrator