Ignorance

I get mildly annoyed when people act like they've experienced depression before when they clearly haven't.

I was talking to a co-worker today, and she was like, "I've been sooooo depressed lately. I missed the chance to buy tickets to my favorite band's concert! I feel awful. I'm so depressed... I don't know how I'm going to get over this." Then she put her face in her hands.

She was very serious too... but I just stared at her blankly. (I've been in a depression since a few days ago... so of course it upsets me.)

I know she wasn't trying to be an insensitive b**ch, but it's still mildly annoying. It's like those people who are neat freaks: "Yeah. I'm soooo OCD!" (No, you're not.)

I guess it's just upsetting to see that so many people are uneducated about mental illness. I don't know why schools don't do a better job of educating us about it because clearly people don't bother to educate themselves. Is it really that hard to teach kids about this?

The stigma is real.

People always confuse sadness, grief, disappointment, and boredom with Clinical Depression. They are being insensitive but blame it on society for turning mental illness into fashionable fads. You should hear the comments about Bipolar Disorder and what people say about us.

I think that's a major contributor to the misguided, often hurtful (thought unintentionally so) advice people give to someone who is actually depressed:

If you exercise, you'll feel better right away!
You just have to decide to feel better.
Wear something bright - it will snap you right out of it!

Or whatever...you all have your own lists of these 'helpful' tips. I think so many people confuse depression with feeling a little low or a little unhappy - some mood where there really is a way to quickly change course through some small input. If their perception of what depression is actually like is so far off the mark, it's no wonder their understanding of coping strategies is so far off as well.

it should be taught to the general population, and cops should get even more of it.
its beyond mildly annoying to me, I had a guy in my pchem II class talk about killing himself if he got a bad grade on an exam. I almost went total apeshit. its not something to be tossed up lightly like that. have you ever had a suicide attempt? NO! so shut the **** up because you don't know what its like.

Whenever people use MI to describe they're feelings, I usually call them out on it. I can't stand it, so let me school you on what it is!
No you do not OCD because you like your workstation extra clean.
No you do not have ADHD because you have trouble concentrating.
No you do not have Major Depression because your plans changed unexpectantly, or something else stupid happened to you.
No you do not have bipolar disorder because you've been moody lately.

I forgive people their ignorance. I was once ignorant too. I used to fear "crazy people" even after being diagnosed as one. I think educating the public is a good thing. I think they should teach compassion courses in elementary school. Could have a drastic improvement in school bullying. A once yearly assembly in the gym is not enough.

Yeah, I'm not sure why mental illnesses are "fads", but I do know what you're talking about. Then, of course, if you ACTUALLY have a mental illness, everyone is like "OMG you're batsh*t crazy!!! Stay away from me!!!"

what

Unfortunately, there are more students than we would like to see who, because of parental pressures, etc., DO attempt and/or succeed in committing suicide for what seem like trivial reasons to us. I don't think their families care what their reasoning was when they are burying their kids; they are devastated. So, these kinds of suicidal outcries should be taken seriously.

In our district (I think it is now statewide), we are required to educate students about the signs and symptoms of depression, the signs that someone may be contemplating harming themselves, and how to get the proper help. I've buried too many students over the years to take any talk of suicide lightly. We can't assume they are tossing it out there lightly and then regret it later.

I would do that if I weren't such a chicken sh*t

but I suppose the best way to handle that bullsh*t is is to correct them

I think the first few minutes of this documentary proves the pure ignorance of Bipolar Disorder. Watching films like this always gave me perspective on both sides of the issue.



But yes, I remember my own friends mocking the MI when someone else left the table. When they were giggling over their own jokes, I interrupted, "Well, I have Bipolar."

You could cut the massive tension and silence in the air. After that day, I realized that the average person has a minuscule idea about any disorder. This creates stigma. And though I often turn the other cheek I admit; some people drive me up a wall. I rather educate the public and have ElsaMars' maturity, but sometimes ranting a little does help.

Quotes from the movie:
Older lady states, "I know that it is tied with a sexual dysfunction." Ugh. No.
Some guy says, "They're a pain in the *** to live with." Yeah, and I bet you are just a peach.

There are more but you should hear it. It is mild compared to what I have read online over the years.

My friend has this habit of dating somewhat unstable, overly jealous guys. And this last guy, when he went overly jealous on her, blowing up her phone, stalking her, said HE SO HAS BIPOLAR DISORDER!!!!

I told her to stop labeling everyone who acts like an unstable lunatic as bipolar.

Lol! Jeez.

And she even knows my situation.

I work in a salon and cannot even HANDLE the insensitive nonsense I hear about mental illness everyday.Between coworkers and clients, I realize that most people have a pretty either vague or twisted perception.



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That tweet is amazing!!

This drives me insane. And people do it all of the time. I heard a song on the radio at work (I think it was Katy perry) and she says something about being bipolar, that one irritates me. People don't talk this way about physical illnesses.

I like this post. I always hear people say " my anxiety is bad over school" or work or money. Yet they go out party and travel and live life with no concern. They have no clue what is like to huddle in a ball crying and shaking and having to baker act yourself because your thoughts are out of control. Ignorance is also a MI. It's more prevalent and less diagnosed. But it's a problem effecting 75% of the world. I see it at work. On the street. At schools. Shoot I see it in my gf right next to me right now watching reality t.v.

P.s. stats and information given on ignorance being a MI are all made up. Just had to clarify for the ignorant ones.