"The Silent Struggle of Living with Undiagnosed Mental Illnesses" Article Analysis (Free Essay Sample)

Fatigue, withdrawal, and loss of emotional connection between the body and mind are frequent symptoms of mental distress. Attempting to maneuver through daily tasks alongside unknown sudden outbursts or long-term emotional anguish becomes increasingly difficult without treatment or support. Demonstrated by the leading consciousness of a double major student at Stony Brook University, Sam Lauria acknowledges the vulnerability of suffering in silence to signify the importance of breaking the cycle of mental suffering. In her article published in The Statesman, “The Silent Struggle of Living with Undiagnosed Mental Illnesses”, Lauria’s inclusion of her own personal experiences builds her credibility as she links her long term progression to a healthier mental, and inclusion of the juxtaposition between societal views on mental health reveals that suffering doesn't last forever. Her application of these tools appeals to those who have faced a similar struggle, allowing her to strongly encourage others to seek the professional help they deserve as well. 

Lauria’s integrity from experiencing firsthand symptoms of mental illness allows her to honestly disclose her story from pain to alleviation - amplifying the rationale of seeking help in combating mental illness. The journey to coping with mental illness doesn’t happen overnight but could take weeks, months, or years to identify mechanisms that will lessen the complications of psychological stress. By implementing transitional diction she acknowledges the significance of seeking professional consultation, no matter how long a person has been struggling; to persuade other sufferers of mental anguish that there is an end to this cycle. She sets the context of her journey by implying, “For a long time, I knew I differed from everyone around me”, and claims her struggle began in the “fifth grade” and her battle lasted “10 years” (para. 1,3,7). Starting off, she discloses the hardships of dealing with mental illness alone and then shifts towards a progressively positive personal development in her mental health journey. Through this, she is able to elaborate upon the “bittersweet” moment in her life when she was diagnosed with not one but two mental illnesses (para. 9). Lauria’s description of her diagnostic results may seem discouraging at first but the identification of her problems over a decade allows her to assess the right coping strategies. Her ability to break this mental loop, of feeling constant emotional distress and confusion, by speaking to a professional therapist allows her to encourage other students to do the same in seeking the help they deserve. It’s clear in Lauria’s article that it all starts with the first step of getting a professional diagnosis. Her determination allowed her to identify her problems, cope, and adapt with a clearer mental headspace. By conveying the vulnerability throughout her journey with mental illness she encourages others to do the same.

Lauria’s choice of expository diction allows her to form a personal interrelation with the reader through her transparency. She claims she felt “unstable compared to everyone else” and was often told she was just being “sensitive or overactive” because she wasn’t aware she was living with a mental illness (para. 3). The openness of her own emotional responses when struggling with mental illness alone is prevalent among many other college students. Her avocation to spread awareness to students that struggle with mental illness have often felt that they couldn’t “quite put (their) finger on what it was” (para. 3). This metaphorical experience effectively describes how being aware of one's own emotions but not knowing the exact reason behind them, are often unable to pinpoint what they are struggling with and find the right solutions. Mental illness fluctuates and her experiences with “extreme moments of happiness and grandiosity” made her question if she was really depressed because she was able to feel a mixture of emotions (para. 7). Her description is relatable to students, friends, and peers at StonyBrook University as she describes this dilemma as a “complex fantasy” (para. 7). Pretending reality is manageable although one may be suffering internally is a common dilemma students are burdened with alongside the stresses of assignment deadlines, exams, and loans. However, Lauria is able to demonstrate through her personal experience that treatment and support allowed her to keep her mood swings in check and lessen the effects of her OCD. She personally thanks therapy for allowing her to open up about her struggles as she was, “...met with overwhelming support…”, from the people close to her (para. 10). She affirms that mental illness diagnostics allow individuals to identify triggers and find coping mechanisms to reduce the anxiety of sudden uncontrollable outbursts; overall strengthening the rhetoric of her argument. This transitional breakthrough from internal suffering to large amounts of support appeals to other students who struggle with mental illness that they are not alone. 

Lauria continues to engage her readers by demonstrating the reality of mental illness through hyperbolic descriptions and metaphors to shed light on how painful and overwhelming mental illness can take over someone’s life. She reveals that her bipolar disorder and OCD caused her to experience, “...hairline-trigger mood swings, overwhelming compulsions, and overly analytical panic attacks...” (para. 11). Her choice of diction uncovers the reality of mental suffering to convey to readers that trying to maneuver with unknown flare-ups or prolonged emotional distress while completing routine tasks, becomes increasingly difficult. Her decision to incorporate the descriptive adjectives, “hairline-trigger, overwhelming, and overly analytical” is meant to create a visual interpretation for her readers. She then transitions to her recovery process expressing she is, “...learning different techniques to keep my mood swings in check and reduce the effects of my OCD.” (para. 12) that there are reliable treatments and coping mechanisms for mental illnesses. She genuinely depicts her utmost care by speaking directly to the readers stating, “Trust me, it will make your life a lot easier. Stay safe, and stay well.” (para. 14). Her choice of compassionate diction to end her personal letter reveals that she wishes the best for whoever comes across her article and truly wants to help others. She strongly advocates how “lucky” she is to be sharing her story as many people often succumb to their mental illnesses (para. 14). Lauria’s change in tone from uncertainty to mental rejuvenation portrays a sincere motive of inspiring her readers to ask for help when needed. There are counselors and psychiatrists out there who want to help you be the best version of yourself without the dread of mental illnesses holding you back.

Lauria’s personal dialogue is a memoir for students who suffer from mental disorders, or for friends or peers in college who feel overwhelmed and generally inclusive to those who may suffer outside of the university. She strongly convinces readers through her incorporation of direct experiences, and logical reasoning that if you get diagnosed you can identify the triggers and find solutions. She expresses a strong emotional engagement with those who can relate to or know someone else who struggles with mental illness. Her ability to do so strengthens her overall argument to seek professional help in preventing the detrimental effects of undiagnosed mental illnesses over short-term or long-term periods of time that can worsen symptoms of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. She takes the time to link helpful mental health resources accessible to Stony Brook students including, Counseling and Psychological Services CAPS) and the Student Accessibility Support Center (SASC). In doing so she’s able to encourage other college students and readers to reach out for the help they deserve and spread awareness that there are others who are open to supporting your journey.