Why do people just assume they have a mental illness?

Question

As if it's something to be proud of, like a trophy.

I'm asking this because of the amount of "Have i got *inset mental health problem seen on Hollyoaks* questions that seem to be on here.

Do they think it's an easy option to make up things about themselves in the bid to sound more interesting?

Please share your views.

Answer 1

I think rather than to sound more interesting, its an excuse for their shortcomings.

I can't stand it.

Answer 2

Very true although we should not ignore that mental illness is a terrible thing and not something to mock.

I agree that people use depression and other illnesses as an excuse for their shortcomings. Also agree that people state they have dyslexia when in fact they are stupid!

The PC brigade need to stop their BS and just face facts, people are uneducated and this whole 'soap opera' life people are living is a sad joke...

Answer 3

probably some people here just wanted to prove to themselves that they are not sick.

Answer 4

they can be asking for advice, they could be asking for attention or becasue this is a good site to ask others with mental problems. cant really judge them but who know whos real

Answer 5

yeh its true.

i blame the doctors for starting it all.

Rather Then Saying, Your Child Is Naughty and you need more desaplin, they say "your Child Has ADD"

Or, Your Not Just Sad, You Have "depression"

Doctors These Days Just Give everyone a "label", For No Reason, And Just Because A Person Has One Symptom Of An Illness, Which Could Mean Anything.

And People These Days, Hear Other People say, Well I Have "this" And there Like, Well Maybe I Mave This, And then Do All the Research On The Internet (which is mostly just c**p and lies) and diognose themselfs by what they hear from other or on the net.

Crazyyy ey?

Good Question Though :]

Answer 6

Interesting question. I often wonder this myself reading many of the questions in the mental health section and have said to people "We're all different and have our odd little ways, its part of being human, it doesnt mean you have a mental health illness!".

I think its partly to do with lack of understanding around what a serious mental health problem is like.  Lots of people genuinly are unsure of the difference between for example, a period of sadness and clinical depression.

The medical profession are also at fault, with doctors being quick to prescribe anti-depressants when often people need to sort out their social problems which are causing them to be so down!  I think to an extent a culture has been created where what would previously be seen as personal problems are now being treated as medical ones.

I do think there are people out there sadly who have a romantic view of mental illness and think it makes them seem artistic and creative. I've met many people like this!  I have depression and it annoys me because I'd do anything to get rid of it, and am working really hard to get better.  There's nothing cool or interesting about it!

Some people may like the attention that they get from being apparently mentally ill, but I think its better to have positive attention and respect for being a strong person who can cope and doesnt need to attention seek.

Answer 7

It depends if they share it with the world, or keep it to themselves.

And it depends on how serious it is.

I think that people who get so annoyed this easily have a mental illness.

Why do you care?

Answer 8

Hi,

I think there could be many views on the topic you have asked about. You are right that many people seem to self diagnose just because there behaviour is a little off or something and sometimes they will state they have mental ill health as a way to get attention or something but the problem with complaining about these people is that we could run the risk of overlooking those who actually do have mental ill health.

I am 21 and have mental illness, it's not something I want to shout with joy about because it is a torture to live with the majority of time. Its hard to live with a condition that is not visable and therefore people doubt you or tell you your attention seeking and this can be so hurtful. Unless you suffer with it you never understand what it is like.

Loads of people make up things about themselves to sound interesting, although I could think of  alot of better things to make up than having a mental illness but people will do it, sometimes i think you just have to feel sorry for them.

I do think many people who ask "have I got..." are possibly genuinely worried about the symptoms they have. When you have mental ill health it's hard to know if what you're experiencing is serious enough to warrant help and many will often want to seek another opinion before going to a doctor.

I think the worst thing to do is to ignore someone who claims to be in pain because in some way they must be suffering...I would rather attend someone who claimed to have a mental illness and hope to help them than ignore them in disbelief and run the risk of hurting someone more.

best wishes

x

Answer 9

I agree.

its like something to brag about nowadays.

But i imagine allot of people are hypochondriacs and actually make themselves believe they are sick

Answer 10

In some very very small way i agree with what your saying because i have a mental health problem, not depression or anything but my Dr keeps trying to give me anti-depressants for anxiety - i refuse to take medication that i do not feel i need, yea, maybe i do get super anxious, but i'll deal with it without medication! When i was in hospital, i made a comment i wasn't sleeping well - but not many people would after being on deaths door and shoved into a hospital knowing your not gonna get out for quite a while but the first thing they did was try to give me diazapam! It does just show that Drs think medication is a quick and easy way to shut people up and maybe that is why more and more people just assume they have mental problems - there GP's tell them so, even if they dont.

As for people just trying to make themselves more interesting - i think people who need something like that to make themselves more interesting, well, that kind of indicates a problem in itself i think! I certainly don't think it's anything to be proud of, infact i find it rather shameful to admit i have a problem, eventhough i know i shouldn't.

Hollyoaks does annoy me greatly though - i want whatever magical cures they give them there, cos they have an illness one day and are totally cured a few days later!

Answer 11

i hate people like that not knowing how much people with mental problems have to go through

Answer 12

I've been diagnosed with 2 types of mental disorder. I used to have to drink medicines on a daily basis.

To me, I'm 'that way' because I'm simply being myself. Those people who diagnosed me obviously doesn't appreciate individuality. They want everyone to be 'normal' hence they try to diagnose and 'treat' us.

I know a lot of people who are happy with these diagnoses 'cause it draws attention to them. I find that really S****y 'cause I know people who are diagnosed with severe cases of those disorders and their lives are seriously tough.

On the other hand, I'm kind of proud of my disorder 'cause it tells me that I won't be just another carbon copy of society.

Answer 13

Because mainly it makes them reassured that the illness is making themselves feel like that, and they are not the problem; the illness is.

And yes, as sad as it sounds, some people like to say they have an illness or an allergy to something to make themselves sound special and use it as a 'trophy'.

Answer 14

You've got it. Exactly. They want to be more interesting, they also want sympathy.... "Oh you poor little thing.....". It's just for the attention. I also agree that it is sometimes used as an excuse for someone's failings but mental illness is real. Depression, ADD, Bipolar disorder, and the new fad Borderline Personality Disorder, etc... they are all real. And the people who struggle with them really do struggle. However it is not an excuse for poor behavior. My son has ADD and I have bipolar disorder but I have never allowed either of us to use it as an excuse for bad behavior.  Most people who really do have a mental illness do not shout it out at every opportunity, they usually keep it a secret from all but their closest friends and family.

Answer 15

I agree completely. I think people want to have excuses to act out, or feel like they're "special," as though being mentally ill is some sort of desirable state. Clearly these are people who have no experience with mental illness at all.

I'm bipolar (diagnosed by a proper psychologist) and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I take the gifts with the curses, but it is not "cool" to be this way. It's incredibly difficult and changes everything about your life. I don't really think of it as a disorder, though. I think of myself as unique and maybe, well, a bit sensitive. In the end, my life is mine to learn to cope with, and I choose to do it free from all the psych bullshit.

I wish people would wise up and get a life.

Answer 16

I agree two. You get phrases where everyone at the same time is claiming they self harm and are proud of it! When I suffered extreme anxiety, it really was the worst time of my life, I would spend 24 hour seven crying terrified, I used cry in front of my friends at school! I'm not proud I had anxiety, but proud I got over it as it was the most horrible time of my life, anyone who is proud of having a mental illness, really in my opinion doesn't have one badly, cause they would want to get over it! Not share it with people!

Answer 17

It's like its some sort of status symbol. Doctors use mental problems as an excuse to get rid of patients that winge. I was diagnosed with "depression" only to discover that i was just in a bad mood and it was making me tired as i was working 65 hours a week. He gave me tablets, told me to take two weeks off and after 3 days of rest and not taking the tablets i was back to my happy little self.

Answer 18

I have had depression since childhood, I went without treatment until I was 27. I have seen psychatrists and taken medication for it on and off since 1983.

I am somewhat proud of it. My illness made a lot of obstacles in my life, but I've managed to handle it pretty well. I don't see why I shouldn't be proud of that.

But there are some funny things happening in our culture. For a while there, it seemed like every celebrity was claiming they were sexually abused as a child or they had such and a such a disorder. If this was true, I don't think it's necessarily bad, but we have a weird fascination with celebrities. Maybe some of us think the mental illness is what made someone a celebrity, so if Ihave a mental illness I can be a celebrity too? I can't really make any sense out of it.

I work in mental health. I'm reasonably confident that most treatment is appropriate. But, I have noticed where some doctors are giving out antidepressants without following the proper guidelines. For example, a man's wife died a few weeks ago and the doctor gives him Prozac even though the American Psychiatric Association clearly recommends a diagnosis of clinical depression should only be considered if the person has been showing signs of excessive grief after more than two months. Bereavement is a normal process, not a disorder.

I think some children are being overdiagnosed with mental illness as well. I heard of a two year old getting a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder. That's just ridiculous. How can you fricking tell? Aren't two year olds supposed to be moody and impulsive?

Also, some mental health diagnoses are being strangely glorified in our pop culture/media. There are several people right here in the YA Mental Health forum saying they diagnosed themselves with Asperger's Disorder through an on-line test. People with Asperger's are supposed to be smart according to popular culture, so if I get a diagnosis of Asperger's I can be smart too. For some reason, certain diagnoses are seen as glamorous. Another fad diagnosis is Borderline Personality Disorder. Trust me, I've seen people with this disorder. It's not "cool." You don't want to have it. The pop culture fascination of certain disorders, while doing a positive thing by bringing it out in the open, also does the opposite by giving people the wrong impression of what it really means to live with the problem.

Maybe it's a kind of cultural backlash. Mental illness used to be a taboo subject. Now some of us make them up just to sound more interesting.