Dove Cameron Shares Powerful Words About Her Struggle With Mental Health
Dove Cameron is opening up about her struggles with mental health to let fans know that they are not alone.
It is difficult, when looking at beautiful pictures of immaculately clad celebrities online, to remember that, behind it all, they are people, too. They have their own identities, their own struggles, their own personal trials. Even when we are allowed to see behind the curtain, it is typically only drawn back when the one in the limelight has reached some sort of moral or conclusion to then prettily present to her fan-base. This is not the case with Dove Cameron.
The actress and singer made a name for herself on Disney as a talented, smiling actor. Yesterday, she posted on her social media powerful words about the struggles she has been privately going through. The star wrote:
"identity vs the self !!! depression & dysphoria. the self is someone i feel i have always deeply known, someone i deeply love and protect, like my own child, i know this self and we are very close. for me, identity and the self have always been diametrically opposed, and there has only ever been room for one at a time to occupy my life.
"i have never been able to make them hold hands, and i realize as i get older, its because i hold a deep seeded belief that who i am is wrong, i am not allowed to be just as i am, i am not meant to be here. i feel i must be something else if i am going to be allowed to be here. and i really do wanna be here with you.
"More days than not, i feel pulled towards no identity at all,
"i feel most natural as something imperceivable to myself, an energy and a presence. i don't know if i will ever be able to live as this, if i will ever find a rhythm in this job where perception is one of the major cornerstones. so far, the self and the identity seem to harm each other, in my personal experience. i'm feeling it out. and if you are too, we can do it together. the longer i'm alive, the more i realize these inner dialogues are actually pretty universal."
Cameron then goes on to explain that she is now trying to find the time to work on herself and to confront her inner darkness. She does not shy away from how difficult it is, but, through her powerful writing, she dives into the heart of the matter, revealing the truth of it to the world.
"all that i am truly clear on is that i'm interested in a life unburdened by myself. easier in theory than in practice, but we're making room. i am beginning to have a hope that the public platform that has been difficult for me to learn to take up space as myself in, can actually be the conduit for change/mutual support/exploration/safety.
"there is room for us to talk about the things that terrify us/can't be commoditized on a large scale, that can't be commercialized and easily sound-bitten. maybe the spaces that are the least human can become the most human, if we want that, and we can all let each other take up a little more space. i love you."
Dove Cameron is an inspiration. We hope that she is able to find herself and take the time she needs to find joy, unity, and calm within her life.
