I've seen a lot of negativity on this app and in person, where people doubt someone's mental illness because it seems 'silly'. I've got some more 'serious' problems, but one that is often overlooked is my food anxiety. I can't force myself to eat certain foods and it's really affecting my life. I'm limited to a couple of unhealthy meals because I can't stand the textures of different foods. Biting into a piece of onion makes me feel physically sick. I've avoided nights out because I'm too anxious about the food not being edible for me, or not wanting to show myself up by asking the person to take most of the items out of the meal. When it's affecting your life, it's serious. Other people can't understand why certain things might make you anxious, but that doesn't take away from the fact that it's real to you. Even if you can cope one day, it's okay to struggle the next day. Only you know your own mind, people can't see it so they choose to not believe it. On the same note though, it can get better. Today prompted me to post this, because I made myself a meal with chunks of pepper in, which is something I've only recently been able to do. I felt stupid when I thought of it as an achievement, then I backtracked. I'm proud of my achievement, even if it's little to everyone else. You should all be proud of yours too, even if everyone around you thinks it's nothing. Be proud that you got out of bed today. Be proud that you made it out to the shops without a panic attack. Be proud that you made it despite having 3 panic attacks on the way. Your achievements are important and you need to recognise them, even if other's don't. We're all on our own journeys here, it's gonna be different for all of us. Take it each little step or each huge leap at a time, whatever pace you choose to take!