I recently came across this video

Part of this offends me because some of these are series disorders and are not fake. But I agree that labels should not define a person's personality. What do you think?

[venusss]

I found it sorta awesome actually............... yes, some labesl are sketchy. ODD? They used to call 'em rebels and anarchists back in the day.

and I think it points out that today way too much pathologization is going on, especially with kids and teens. Instead of humanity, understanding and guidance, they are given labels and gloomy future prospects.

yes, some people have issues............ but they should be encouraged to live with them, possibly utilize them and make the best of their lifes. Rather than being told they have debilitating disorder and better if they don't put themself out in the world too much.

[lynn P.]

I think its a good video and I've always been bothered by experts/parents/teachers labeling a child/young person..especially deviant disorder. I believe some kids act out and its need to be dealt with a different way - patience and understanding. A label shouldn't define you or limit you and people are more than a label. I've heard of kids as young as 5 being labeled OCD - to me that's ridiculous. Kids do silly, funny things - its called being a kid. We need all kinds of personalities in this world not cookie cutter versions of how we think humans should be.

I agree I meant because the video is basically saying that disorders like ADHD and Bipolar don't exist, when they clearly do.

[Caretaker Leo]

Good video. It caused me to stop and really think about when and why the labels started.

Most of those labels didn't exist when I was a child. "Problem kids" were sent to other schools; we were taught to respect our teachers, parents, other adults. There were rules in place for conduct in school and church - but we were also given recess time to burn off our kid energy.

Sometimes I wonder if it was my generation of parents who started all of this labeling... We wanted to have "perfect" kids in a world where society was changing rapidly. So much easier to come up with "reasons" and medicate the kids, because my generation had no clue how to be a parent - we wanted to be "friends" with our kids.

thought-provoking...thanks for sharing the video.

[lynn P.]

Its could be taken as "a damned if you do and damned if you don't". I agree we can't discount the fact that real disorders exist because they do. I think it can be very tricky if teachers/parents and doctors are too fast in assuming or labeling children although there are some clear cases that shouldn't be ignored. I think the video is trying to empower young people to look beyond their label and accent their personality traits. For example - an young person could work on their dominant side and become a leader.... artistic or creative young person could become an artist/author - basically taking what adults are labeling negative and turning it into a strength. That's what I got from the video

Oh I completely agree. I am 15 and have OCD and possible schizophrenia and it is my dream to become an animator. One day I want to set up a charity that helps children and teenagers with mental illness and tries to stop the stigma surrounding it so kids can persue any job they want

[venusss]

See the problem with many awareness campaigns is............ they take the "no we can't" to the extreme. So you have arguments like "would you ask person with broken leg to run marathon" as defense of people with MH quirks not be able to do....... well just about anything.

Here on PC there is a blog whose writer - also author of the book said she wrote her book in simple sentenses and paragraphs so depressed people can understand it! (because apparently we have hard time reading labels of prescription bottles............). Is she telling depressed people are sorta slow and stupid? She may not intend to....... but she does.


I often use "league of nations" example. They tried to make peace the official doctrine, but they ended up enabling yet another war. I think many of today's MH organizations are League of Nations of mental health.

Why offer this only to youth? Why not for adults as well? HOWEVER.....there are some children with valid medical disorders that do need treatment. I am tired of people saying that if a child has behavioural challenges, that is can be resolved simply with better parenting. I ahve seen parents who were sick with worry over their child. Wondering what they were doing wrong. They don't need the public saying that they are cruel for administering medications to a child for valid health problems.