Everyone deals with mental health struggles differently. Struggling and coping is going to look differently for everyone. For some that means hiding being a perfect mask of makeup, for others that means not having the wherewithal to bathe or brush their hair. If the filtered look of perfection is what she needs to project to the world then so be it, I guess. I don’t even fault her with struggling when she has so much more support and privilege than most (but, name your privilege, of course).
I work with children who are refugees from Africa and the Middle East, a lot of the work revolves around trauma and PTSD— it’s
not always an easy lesson because we’re human and our personal perspectives dictate how we see and interact with the world: but one person’s suffering is no greater or lesser than the next and everyone’s story is different. I truly don’t think anyone would fault Hinch if she came forward and said listen I know I don’t look like I’m suffering but I am! What you don’t see behind the scenes is: self harm/eating disorder/childhood trauma/fighting between my partner, children, and me etc etc etc (these are obviously just examples I’ve made up, but totally within the realm of possibility). I don’t think she has the courage, integrity, or ethics to have this kind of an important conversation with her large audience.
My issue is that with such a large platform you inherit a certain amount of responsibility to be at least somewhat knowledgeable about the topics you discuss. She has made “anxiety” her thing, and has dabbled in the insinuation of postpartum depression/anxiety. Ok….yes it’s a complex topic and yes you probably will get backlash/weird comments/criticism (it’s bound to happen with a divisive conversation had at a large public scale!) who cares!? Do the right thing! Be honest! Help a few people if you can! Raise awareness— heck, maybe make your thing raising awareness for the people out there who are “high functioning” within their diagnosis. I don’t know, but then again I don’t have to know because I don’t have millions of people hanging on my every word (thank goodness). Ugh I’m just frazzled today and wish the world made more sense, even the chemical scented grey and filtered world of Mrs Hinch!