[Mountaindewed]

Why is someone more likely to be taken seriously if they are not constantly talking about their mental health issues? I have seen this a number of times with anxiety and depression, and also with eating disorders too.

[Mountaindewed]

I just know when I was 13-14 I tried getting help for an eating disorder and everyone called me an attention seeker and said I was lying. Now after an intentional 64 pound weight loss everyone seems to think I legit have one even though half the time my meds seem to make me super sick to my stomach. I’m sorry my threads alway offend you but you don’t need to make rude comments on them all the time.

[MsLady]

Originally Posted by Mountaindewed

Why is someone more likely to be taken seriously if they are not constantly talking about their mental health issues?..

I think when we are "constantly" talking about ourselves in any capacity, particularly with people who can't or don't relate, leaves the conversation to be very one sided.

I have a friend/acquaintance who has a specific and rare medical condition. She's lovely and "every time" we meet up, she talks about it.. no exaggeration. At first I listened with empathy and was very supportive over a condition I had never heard of before. But after a while, there wasn't anything more I could contribute to her story. There wasn't new information being shared, apart from the odd new thing she was trying. It got to be too much.

We all have a story and we all want to be heard. If you're "constantly" talking about your mental health, as unaluna mentioned, save it for a therapist, and instead, focus on more positive things about yourself and others.

[divine1966]

I think it depends who you are telling about your issues? Strangers or friends or family or medical professionals? Nothing wrong with sharing but if it’s “constant” it’s not always welcomed. I’d try to achieve some balance in amount of sharing

[mote.of.soul]

Yes, and in my opinion, if the person you're talking to has no idea about mental illnesses, has never addressed it themselves or read up on it, then in all likelihood the only thing they have to go by are the basic stereotypes and preconceptions present in the society. Or maybe they have nothing at all to relate to about mental illness. Hence the person can only fall silent or conjure up false images in the mind. They might look at you funny. In all honesty, that's how I was too before my sister was diagnosed with schizophrenia and I began reading books about it. I remember reading a book about self esteem too, before that. Quite eye opening for me, at that time.