11 Things People With Mental Illness Do Not Want To Hear
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

11 Things People With Mental Illness Do Not Want To Hear

I mean, really?!?

121
11 Things People With Mental Illness Do Not Want To Hear
Google Images

Life can be difficult enough as it is for teenagers, and those in their early twenties, but if you are suffering from any type of mental illness, it can be that much worse. People can be very insensitive, which is why I would like to tell you about 11 things that people struggling with mental illness do NOT want to hear brought up in a low key conversation.

*This article may contain words and phrases that could trigger certain feelings for those suffering with a mental illness!

1. "I can't be late or I'll literally have a panic attack!"

This one is used way too often by people who don't suffer with an anxiety disorder. The people that say this have most likely never felt true anxiety, nor have they suffered from panic attacks and having an anxiety disorder. Not only does it make people with anxiety frustrated, it also puts down the reality that anxiety disorders are real things that many people struggle with and they are most definitely not something to be joked around about.

2. "I didn't finish my paper on time. I'm gonna kill myself."

No. Just no. NEVER joke around about anything relating to suicide. Just because you didn't finish your paper doesn't mean you're suicidal. Once again, suicide is a VERY serious topic and condition and should never be taken lightly. This is said very often and it is almost always followed by a laugh. People that are suicidal often don't come out about their feelings because they're so engulfed in their terrible thoughts and they need professional help ... not because they didn't finish a paper for a class.

3. "How did you lose weight so fast?! I wish I could become anorexic for a month."

Leave. You do NOT wish that you could become anorexic for a month. People that struggle with eating disorders do not want to have their disease and wish that they could be free from their disordered thoughts. Along with all that "beautiful weight loss" comes a low heart rate, always being cold, dizziness, memory loss, brittle nails, hair loss... the list goes on. Trust me, it's not worth it, and it's very insulting to anyone struggling with an eating disorder.

4. "You don't look depressed."

Thanks. I try really hard not to "look depressed." Most people with depression do not mope around flaunting their depression. Ever heard of the million ways the quote "fake a smile" has been used? No? I'm sorry that I don't "look" like my mental illness because that must mean that I don't struggle with it, right ladies?!

5. "People that self-harm only do it for attention."

You're right in that some people do self-harm for attention. But underneath that needing attention are deep rooted personal issues that need to be worked in order to keep from taking their emotional pain out on themselves. Most of the time, this is not the case. It's not for attention and self-harm is no joke. People go to all measures to cover up their scars and feel as if they need to wear certain clothing to cover up their scars that embarrass them. Self-harm is a serious and common issue associated with many different mental illnesses, and although the reason is different for many people, a reoccurring theme is that the struggling individual is facing intense internal conflict and self-harms either as a punishment or a way to cope with what they're going through. And more times than not, they don't want your attention.

6. "I am so bipolar I keep changing my mind and I can never decide on what I want to wear!"

Really? You must be 10 types of stupid to use a mental illness as an adjective because you keep changing your mind. Being bipolar is an actual disease that is a chemical imbalance and people struggling take medication just so that they can live a normal life.

7. "I will never forget when I fell on stage. I have bad PTSD from that."

So you really have bad PTSD? PTSD (or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) is a serious condition that affects not only veterans, but also people that have been through serious life traumas. Some symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, feeling like the event is happening again and many more that I will never be able to comprehend. Living with PTSD is scary and the people that face their traumas while they sleep or have flashbacks while they're awake are some of the strongest human beings. They have survived something so horrible that their brain cannot even begin to process it. Intense therapy and willingness to heal from PTSD are the only way to overcome the disorder.

8. "You're making all of this up."

I most definitely am not making all of this up. If i could escape the monsters in my head, then trust me when I say that I most definitely would. I would give all that I have to think positively and actually like myself. I WISH I could get over all of this. I really wish I could, but I am in recovery and for you to tell me that I'm making all of this up makes me feel even worse. Why would I make all of this up? I didn't ask for this!

9. "Why can't you just be normal?"

Why can't I just be "normal?" Why can't you just learn to do something called "support" me?

10. "Maybe if you leave your house... you'd be a lot happier."

People like this make me not want to leave my house. :-)

11. "You have everything you want, so why are you like this?"

Why am I like this??? (*Eye Roll*)

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned.

70917
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

132495
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments