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If You Self-Diagnosed A Mental Illness, You Are Part Of The Problem

That not only harms your own mental well-being, but it affects the stigma around mental illnesses as a whole.

Nov 20, 2019

If You Self-Diagnosed A Mental Illness, You Are Part Of The Problem

You may have heard someone say in passing, "Ugh! I am so OCD, this desk is a mess!" Meanwhile, you follow strict routines and take unnecessary precautions to things.

You may have heard a friend say, "I failed that test, I'm so depressed." Meanwhile, it is the first day you've gotten out of bed, the first day you've showered since the dark cloud cast over you and wouldn't go away.

You may have heard, "I literally can't. I'm like, having a panic attack!" Meanwhile, you did just have one, and you hyperventilated and shook for 10 minutes.

Or you may have even heard, "That song gives me PTSD, it reminds me of my boyfriend." Meanwhile, you still have nightmares or flashbacks about the traumatic event you've experienced.

This is not to say that people's mental illnesses don't all look different for the individual. You don't know their story or what they went through. This is for those that use a mental illness nonchalantly, incorrectly, or self-diagnose themselves with said mental illness without the advice of a trained professional.

By doing this, you are not only affecting your own mental health, but also the stigma around whatever self-proclaimed illness you have.

When you self-diagnose, you are adhering not to the actual symptoms someone who has that mental illness has, but to the stereotypes you believe go with that mental illness. You pretend to exhibit those symptoms and though you may not have that mental illness, you trick your brain into truly believing you do in some way. If you try and show everyone that you have depression to make a point, your behavior may lead to you actually becoming fatigued and depressed, and you will no longer have control over it.

It also puts a false face to the actual mental illness. By exhibiting false symptoms or stereotypical symptoms, it makes those who don't have that illness or already believe the stigma, it gives them the excuse to continue that stigma.

If you do believe you have a mental illness, or you believe you may need to seek help, please see a professional therapist.

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

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If You Self-Diagnosed A Mental Illness, You Are Part Of The Problem

That not only harms your own mental well-being, but it affects the stigma around mental illnesses as a whole.

By doing this, you are not only affecting your own mental health, but also the stigma around whatever self-proclaimed illness you have.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

No one best represents the struggle like our favorite 90s squad.

1. When course schedules are released and you have a conflict between two required classes.

2. When there is only one section of a popular course.

3. Receiving the 18,000 emails reminding you to register ASAP.

4. When you need to see an advisor, but they are too busy/unresponsive.

5. Trying not to dress like a bum for your appointments with your advisors/department heads.

6. When you have a perfectly planned out schedule, and one class ruins it.

7. Carefully moving things around to accommodate a different class/section.

8. Waking up at 6:00 a.m. for your enrollment time.

9. Concocting a new schedule at your enrollment time after your original plan gets changed.

10. Getting into a class and filling the last available seat.

11. When all of your classes finally go through.

12. Realizing that you forgot a class that was a pre-requisite for everything else.

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2. When your professor is babbling on and on in his lecture.

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4. When it's 2 AM and you remember you have a test tomorrow.

5. When you finish taking the test and you're pretty sure you failed...

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7. When you've been up for 12 hours straight writing a paper.

8. And then you manage to stay awake in class the next day.

9. When you have to butter up your professor for an extra credit opportunity.

10. When you're assigned a group project.

11. And your group-mates are trying to chat about life instead of the assignment.

12. When it's your last class of the day and you're about to go home.

13. But then you remember rent is due tonight and the anger comes back.

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