No, I'm Not 'Just Being Dramatic' | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

No, I'm Not 'Just Being Dramatic'

It's time to change society's perception of mental illness.

32
No, I'm Not 'Just Being Dramatic'

"It's all in your head," "You are being dramatic," "Chill out," "You just want attention," are all phrases that I get on a weekly basis from people who couldn't possibly understand how I feel. They think that my behaviors are always purposeful. They think that my emotions are unstable because I want them to be.

Mental illnesses aren't things people can just "get over." It's not a cold that goes away in a few days. A lot of times it's permanent. It is time that society change the way it perceives these illnesses so that those suffering can spend more time getting well and less time justifying their condition to others. The problem with society's perception of mental illnesses is that they see them, but refuse to take them seriously.

The most common types of diseases burdening people in this world are mental illnesses. Approximately twenty-six percent of Americans suffer from them. However, people still refuse to see mental illness as a real problem. Mental diseases can arise from chemical imbalances in the brain or events that took place in one's life, but because there is no "test" for people who claim to have them, others believe that its not a real issue. Mental disease IS a medical issue and needs to be taken seriously.

If your friend is having a mood swing one day don't automatically assume it is because they are just being dramatic. Realize that there may be underlying issue. Try and talk to them to see how they are feeling. Maybe they have a mental disorder that they are unaware of. The best way for them to get help is by having someone there for them to understand and talk to about it. Society needs to be there for people with mental disorders and not push them out.

People who have mental disorders already feel bad. When outsiders make negative claims and embody untrue perceptions about these diseases then the people suffering begin to feel even worse. There is no way for them to get better if they are constantly told that what they are feeling is just a phase or that they are lying.

So if you think someone you know may have a mental illness please be there for them. Do not push them out and do not blame them. They are trying to get by the best they can. Let's change the way society perceives mental illness one brain at a time.

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

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

197148
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

19012
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

461000
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

28370
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments