I still regularly talk to a therapist, and I can assure you it helps when it feels like the world is ending. I don’t know if it’s related to Afghanistan at all, but I feel like I haven’t been able to do a blessed thing right all week.

On Thursday, I felt as hapless as Abu Hajaar, the imbecilic Islamic State group fighter, whose awful fighting skills were showcased in a 2016 helmet camera video posted by Vice. (He also inspired a meme.)

Just to reiterate: It is not abnormal or atypical to be feeling bad right now. Those who have served in Afghanistan and their families have been wounded by the sudden collapse of the Afghan government and security forces.

There is nothing heroic about suffering in silence. Pain cannot be treated by self medicating with alcohol and pills. Left untreated, depression can destroy marriages, careers, and lives.