Date of Completion
5-1-2023
Degree Type
Honors Thesis
Discipline
English (ENGL)
First Advisor
Dr. Gail Wronsky
Abstract
In this collection, the poet explores how her personal struggles with mental health have shaped her development, relationships, experiences, and outlook on life. In poems that display a variety of stylistic forms and poetic techniques, the collection creatively sheds light on taboo topics including eating disorders, OCD, anxiety, and depression. Without making light of the sensitive subject matter, the poems reflect the author’s characteristic humor, self-satire, authenticity, and humility. Through metaphors, symbolism, and allegory, many draw subtle attention to the stigma around therapy, residential rehabilitation, and psychiatric prescriptions, in hopes of raising awareness for mental health treatment and removing the shame that many who access these resources feel for needing them.
While many of the poems provide an inside perspective on living with mental illness, others reflect the poet’s cognizance of how her experiences and symptoms have impacted and may be perceived by others. Themes in the project include the value of personal reflection and self-exploration, the strength that comes with taking ownership of one’s experiences, and the importance of empathy, compassion, and truly listening when supporting someone who struggles with poor mental health. The poet intends for her work to help advance the budding social movement to raise awareness for mental illness, which the world has long disguised, denied, and shied away from addressing openly. She hopes that sharing her story may inspire and empower those afraid to share their own to speak up and embrace the relief that comes with owning one’s truth.
Recommended Citation
Cahill, Michaela and Wronsky, Gail, "Growing up in Ana’s Shadow" (2023). Honors Thesis. 532.
https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/honors-thesis/532
Comments
In light of its sensitive subject matter, the author of this project would like to emphasize that mental disorders do not discriminate based on size, shape, race, ethnicity, gender, status, or any other characteristic. They have no distinct or uniform presentation and they impact countless lives in just as many different ways. These poems offer a glimpse of the author’s personal mental health journey. Every person who struggles with mental health has a unique story that cannot be compared to or evaluated against that of another.