“Help me, it’s like the walls are caving in. Sometimes I feel like giving up, but I just can’t. It isn’t in my blood.” Some may recognize these words from Shawn Mendes’s hit song, “It Isn’t in My Blood.“ In this song, Mendes courageously sings about his struggle with anxiety. His words depict his struggle, and the brokenness he feels when he is overwhelmed, alone, and insecure.
In the thick of anxiety or depression, there can be so much darkness. It can feel like each day is a struggle. Anxiety and depression are isolating emotions, that make it hard to know that other people also have similar struggles. It can be so uncomfortable that we are forced to turn to other people, materialism, or substances to ease our pain. However, the answer lies not in numbing these emotions with distractions, but rather grounding ourselves in our truth, and seeking to gain a greater understanding of what these emotions are doing for us so that we can overcome them.
Mendes’s chorus goes “I need somebody now. I need somebody now, someone to help me out. I need somebody now.” To me, these words describe how we are designed for connection and attachment. A sense of community can provide a sense of hope and peace when struggling with anxiety or depression.
In a society that exalts independence, it can be daunting to ask for help. We may have even had negative experiences, and been turned away in our time of need. However, community and attachment is important, even if it means attending a weekly support group, volunteering at a dog shelter, or attending a bible study.
While researching this song, I read an article criticizing Mendes’s message of not giving up, due to it simply not being in his blood. However, all of us live in some level of brokenness, and even though we don’t have the same experiences or motivating factors, we can choose to honor Mendes’s words and use them to motivate us to explore what helps us through our tough times.
As a therapist who works extensively with anxiety and depression, it is important for us to explore deep inside ourselves in order to find those factors that don’t let us give up. If you or a loved on is struggling with anxiety, please feel free to call us and schedule an appointment. You can also listen to Mendes’s song here.
Written by: Chelsey Beauchamp
