[atomicc]

I know there's been posts about this before, but I'm feeling angry tonight and I want to know how many other people hate this?
Mental illness is romanticized in movies and television, fifteen year old girls posting photos of self harm and quotes about depression thinking that it makes them cool or trendy.
Yet, does this help to end the stigma? No, the people who are truly mentally ill are still just as ostracized. It's all fun and games until someone with a real illness, a real disease, speaks out.
I'm sorry, I'm just angry and ranting tonight.

[TheOriginalMe]

Good rant. You go for it girl.
I have two pet hates about the romanticisim of mental illness.
There seems to be little recognition of the social isolation that so often accompanies mental illness. Film and television portrayals seldom acknowledge social isolation and how difficult this is to overcome, instead we are insulted by simplistic storylines where friends rally round and everyone "discovers" themselves.
Secondly, certain treatments are demonised and portrayed cruel, inhuman and even abusive. I'm talking about ECT here. Yes, there have been times when this has been used inappropriately and there are people who have been deeply traumatised by their experience of ECT. I don't want to dismiss their feelings, BUT, there are people for whom is ECT is a beneficial treatment and in many cases it has saved their lives. I am one of those people, yet whenever I've tried to open up about this, suddenly people become very uncomfortable around me.

[Onward2wards]

People get curious about experiences and individuals considered "out on the fringe", so to speak. It is a pity that this sometimes leads to people overidentifying with MH issues. Perhaps it is an ill-considered way to stand out from the crowd?

[Hellion]

I kind of get what you mean...while I was in highschool people tried to act like depression was cool. It was related to that whole emo trend....and it really did piss me off because I got accused of trying to fit that stereotype when I was just being myself.

Apparently I didn;t do my hair cool enough to be 'depresssed' I found the whole thing laughable as having real depression likely means you lack the energy to freaking do your hair, use a freaking flattner iron to make hair sit in a certain style....and yes the person who does that and has 2,000 dollars worth of clothes if not more is the real deprssed individual.

SO yeah it annoys me when people trivilize mental illness or romanticize it...I mean it really sucks its not some walk in the park.

[TheOriginalMe]

Originally Posted by Onward2wards

People get curious about experiences and individuals considered "out on the fringe", so to speak. It is a pity that this sometimes leads to people overidentifying with MH issues. Perhaps it is an ill-considered way to stand out from the crowd?

Too right, I'd rather be anonymous and "well" than depressed and "interesting"

[atomicc]

Originally Posted by TheOriginalMe

Good rant. You go for it girl.
I have two pet hates about the romanticisim of mental illness.
There seems to be little recognition of the social isolation that so often accompanies mental illness. Film and television portrayals seldom acknowledge social isolation and how difficult this is to overcome, instead we are insulted by simplistic storylines where friends rally round and everyone "discovers" themselves.
Secondly, certain treatments are demonised and portrayed cruel, inhuman and even abusive. I'm talking about ECT here. Yes, there have been times when this has been used inappropriately and there are people who have been deeply traumatised by their experience of ECT. I don't want to dismiss their feelings, BUT, there are people for whom is ECT is a beneficial treatment and in many cases it has saved their lives. I am one of those people, yet whenever I've tried to open up about this, suddenly people become very uncomfortable around me.

I absolutely agree with all of this. It's not like that in real life, every one doesn't accept you for being mentally ill and learn to love you and you're their cool different friend.
You're shunned for having weird thoughts. No one wants to be your friend because you have mood swings and uncontrolled anger. It just upsets me, I never want these people to experience what we do, it isn't pretty.. but I wish they knew enough not to treat it like some trendy topic.

[Almeera]

I bloody hate how depression has become a "trend" on social websites like Tumblr or FB. No, posting pictures of your slit wrists and stuff written in your "blood" doesn't make you cool or interesting, and neither does posting "If this doesn't get 1000 likes or shares or reblogs, I'll kill myself tonight". Urgh.

[sewerrats]

mmmmmmmm you wont like this post, my friends new I was mentally ill and I was the cool kid , because I would do anything dangerous and and was the funny guy when out my box on booze and adrenalin , manic days weeks infact. The I would disappear for days -weeks everyone new why and would ask about me. When I started taking Ativan I had some brilliant times and thought I was the happiest guy on earth, mix with alcohol and I was flying. Up DOWN UP DOWN and it still the same . Never had trouble pulling girls I was the fun guy to be with. I have kids 2 kids before 21 with encounters and have been in touch with both. My wife knows all this and I am still friends with many people, only I choose when I want to be social. MY illness wrecked my body with using drink to self medicate , I cannot drink now with ops on my body do to drink.MY wife an kids an grandkids have always loved me far more that I deserve and I love them. We plough on same old same old and know one ever mentions my mental illness friends, family, whoever. Its not cool to be mentally ill but I wonder if the normals get that great rush like we can when feeling good.

[allme]

This makes me so angry Stupid fricking ppl make me so mad!

Mental illness is romanticized until people have to deal with the real thing in a friend or loved one...then it's suddenly not so magical. That's when a mentally ill person slams up against stigma, in my experience.

[-jimi-]

When they make movies they pick and choose. They only pick the behaviors that make a good story. It's just a shame if people really believe in it... in a way it is weird because no one believes lab workers act like cops too (like in CSI) or that profilers work as cops too (like in Criminal minds).

As for kids acting emo, I wonder if it's not a result of how restrictive things have become. We allow kids to show less and less emotion and it has to always be positive. We cut 75 % of their emotions away rendering them useless and ugly. In a way I see it as a rebellion trying to claim their emotions back. They might overshoot the target, but it often happens with reactions in society. I wish we could tell kids that all emotions are valid and it is OK to feel sad sometimes.

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by jimi...

When they make movies they pick and choose. They only pick the behaviors that make a good story. It's just a shame if people really believe in it... in a way it is weird because no one believes lab workers act like cops too (like in CSI) or that profilers work as cops too (like in Criminal minds).

As for kids acting emo, I wonder if it's not a result of how restrictive things have become. We allow kids to show less and less emotion and it has to always be positive. We cut 75 % of their emotions away rendering them useless and ugly. In a way I see it as a rebellion trying to claim their emotions back. They might overshoot the target, but it often happens with reactions in society. I wish we could tell kids that all emotions are valid and it is OK to feel sad sometimes.

The impression i got is they just wanted to be 'cool' it wasnt about repressed emotions and not being allowed to express them...not saying all kids who ever got into that trend had perfect lives and no problems...but yeah it was just a popular trend when i was still in highschool. I don't even know if the 'emo' clique exists in highschools anymore it could be something new by now.

[healingme4me]

Originally Posted by jimi...

When they make movies they pick and choose. They only pick the behaviors that make a good story. It's just a shame if people really believe in it... in a way it is weird because no one believes lab workers act like cops too (like in CSI) or that profilers work as cops too (like in Criminal minds).

As for kids acting emo, I wonder if it's not a result of how restrictive things have become. We allow kids to show less and less emotion and it has to always be positive. We cut 75 % of their emotions away rendering them useless and ugly. In a way I see it as a rebellion trying to claim their emotions back. They might overshoot the target, but it often happens with reactions in society. I wish we could tell kids that all emotions are valid and it is OK to feel sad sometimes.

These behaviors existed, long before a generation made it mainstream.

There were cutters long before 'emo'.

Emo was in with my half sisters group. I didn't have goth nor emo, when i was under 18. She's 16 years younger than I.
Sent from my LG-MS910 using Tapatalk 2

[sewerrats]

Originally Posted by allme

This makes me so angry Stupid fricking ppl make me so mad!

if you are referring to my post, mentally ill people are not jibbering wrecks 24-7 we embrace the small windows of remission and go for it. I no sometime I am going to get wiped out bad, I actually feel 1 coming my way now I no all the sign,s and it wont be pretty . I am proud how I survived my young life mistakes and all , I could have crawled under a rock and missed out. I chose to wreck my body and live a wild life between the very very bad times. I WILL BE REMEMBERED , not for some shell who let it beat him. but the fun friend and husband that fought on through the battles but never won the war.

[possum220]

There is nothing romantic about mental illness.

[sewerrats]

Originally Posted by possum220

There is nothing romantic about mental illness.

lots of romantic poets like LORD BYRON a hero of mine were mentally ill In the depths of despair is not romantic , but when in remmision it can very much be , and your still mentally ill. But to say mental illness itself is romantic then that is stupid.

[Melodic]

I've thought this for a while. I do tend to think teenagers who claim to have mental illness are somewhat pandering for attention, and/or just suffering from teenage angst which makes them act out. The attention is what drives these people, and it seems disrespectful to those who genuinely are suffering.

[TheOriginalMe]

Originally Posted by healingme4me

These behaviors existed, long before a generation made it mainstream.

There were cutters long before 'emo'.

Emo was in with my half sisters group. I didn't have goth nor emo, when i was under 18. She's 16 years younger than I.
Sent from my LG-MS910 using Tapatalk 2

"there were cutters before emo" - Too true. I know several Goths - none are/ were cutters. I know several cutters, they're all quite conventional in appearance and conservative in outlook.

It is hard to resist the idea that at least part of the emo thing is kids living up to media stereo-types that makes the behaviour seem attractive to them.

That's another thing I hate, how "Goth" got dumped in with emo and has become perceived as such a negative sub-culture.

Back in the day, I was a bit of a goth, but not because it was dark and depressed with lots of peircing and stuff. Back then, the goths I knew were "Arty" and liked dressing up contra-fashion. There was an element of drama, with guys in victorian frock coats and canes, girls with beautiful pale skinned make-up, dark eyes and ruby lips, wearing high-neck frilled victorian blouses with tiny waists and neat little old-fashioned granny boots, oh and lots of real pretty jet jewellery. Now it is leather coats, clumpy boots and lots of chains. OK OK, I know I'm sounding like one of the "old folks" now, but I needed that little vent.

[likewater]

We're just talking about the movies and media. They make everything entertaining and sensationalized
They don't portray the real world. Even reality TV is staged. I just roll my eyes, make fake batting noises an turn it off when the show or movie is particularly offensive. Or I gleefully watch it through and make sarcastic remarks all the way through.

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by Melodic

I've thought this for a while. I do tend to think teenagers who claim to have mental illness are somewhat pandering for attention, and/or just suffering from teenage angst which makes them act out. The attention is what drives these people, and it seems disrespectful to those who genuinely are suffering.

That can go two ways though, there are also a lot of teens who have their problems dismissed as normal teenage issues because people think they are just being immature and acting out for attention....when they really do have a mental illness and need help. I attempted suicide at 15 because I was always the outcast everyone picked on and I blamed myself for all my problems.

[henrydavidtherobot]

No need to apologize. I agree completely. Mental illness is a horrible thing to have; it shouldn't be trendy. I also think that it encourages misunderstandings about illnesses.

At my barista job, people use the term OCD to replace neurosis. It really annoys me. I have tendencies towards OCD. I convince myself that I have horrible diseases like HIV and have spent hundreds of dollars for tests that I didn't need to quell my debilitating anxiety. It's not funny or romantic.

Also, the romanticization of bi polar disorder drives me nuts. People see hypomania/mania as a creative or productive binge. I don't want my art and hard work to be attributed to nothing but my drive and personality, not a disorder that hurts me.

[Open Eyes]

I am sorry you are angry and frustrated, I can relate.

Unfortunately, the effort to have more awareness has made the stigmatizing even worse in many cases.

I have noticed that different series on TV have more and more characters that struggle with PTSD. These characters are often portrayed in and extreme to where they present some kind of threat, or struggle so much that they end their lives. There is very little discussed about PTSD, but enough to lead people to think the wrong things and even fear people who struggle with PTSD. Often they have a character doing bad things and they talk about that person's history of child abuse as being the reason behind their seriously demented behavior where they are a threat to society.

Instead they could show how people who struggle with PTSD can be interacting, get triggered and realize something about themselves they had not realized before. Why can't they show that when this happens often this is like an epiphany where there is a tremendous urge to verbalize it and sometimes with that the person can become emotional? Wouldn't it be nice if they showed the right way to respond to that, instead of getting angry with the person or even saying "they need Drama" when that's not what is taking place at all. Why don't they show that when that does happen, instead people tend to respond in "invalidating" ways which leads to the person struggling to become ashamed and embarrassed or angry even and convinced they need to isolate so that doesn't happen unexpectedly again? No, instead what typically happens is that person is deemed something "bad" or somehow disruptive.

I watched a program not too long ago and the person took his own life, and at the end they talked about the need for awareness and financial support. It was awful IMHO and totally missed the mark. It's bad enough that people don't understand PTSD never mind depicting it in the "worst case scenarios" as I have seen thus far. And in all honesty, it has become just another "character" grab in different story lines to where it's becoming
a gradual catch word that just makes it harder on those who genuinely struggle.

If, however, you watch a documentary of "real people" struggling, you can see the "emotional pain" in their eyes, and how very much they are trying to figure out how not to have that happen, because "when" it does happen,
people tend to respond so poorly that it only makes it so much harder.
People do not even realize how "mean" they can be about this "big challenge
with trying to control emotional reactions" either.

OE

[wushuduck]

Originally Posted by henrydavidtherobot

No need to apologize. I agree completely. Mental illness is a horrible thing to have; it shouldn't be trendy. I also think that it encourages misunderstandings about illnesses.

At my barista job, people use the term OCD to replace neurosis. It really annoys me. I have tendencies towards OCD. I convince myself that I have horrible diseases like HIV and have spent hundreds of dollars for tests that I didn't need to quell my debilitating anxiety. It's not funny or romantic.

Also, the romanticization of bi polar disorder drives me nuts. People see hypomania/mania as a creative or productive binge. I don't want my art and hard work to be attributed to nothing but my drive and personality, not a disorder that hurts me.

I don't have OCD, but I can relate to this all too well. I've lost count of the amount of times I've convinced myself that I'm terminally ill, that I have a brain tumour or HIV (just from having something as silly as a sore throat) and had a massive panic attack.

As for mental illnesses becoming trendy, as long as it kills the stigma surrounding them then I'm not too bothered by it. I can understand why some people here find it irritating though.

[sewerrats]

Originally Posted by Twigg

I don't have OCD, but I can relate to this all too well. I've lost count of the amount of times I've convinced myself that I'm terminally ill, that I have a brain tumour or HIV (just from having something as silly as a sore throat) and had a massive panic attack.

As for mental illnesses becoming trendy, as long as it kills the stigma surrounding them then I'm not too bothered by it. I can understand why some people here find it irritating though.

ARE but it can be productive , take Bernard Summer of the band NEW ORDER , also another guy a well known artist known for his dark work , they agreed to take a first AD PROZAC this is some 15 years ago maybe more for six months has an experiment. BERNARD started to write more brighter songs and the bands record sales fell, the artist also started to paint in bright colours , and lost comisisons,so in illness there best work was produced, well the work the fans wanted anyway SO YOU WERE SAYING????????

[Hellion]

Originally Posted by Open Eyes

I am sorry you are angry and frustrated, I can relate.

Unfortunately, the effort to have more awareness has made the stigmatizing even worse in many cases.

I have noticed that different series on TV have more and more characters that struggle with PTSD. These characters are often portrayed in and extreme to where they present some kind of threat, or struggle so much that they end their lives. There is very little discussed about PTSD, but enough to lead people to think the wrong things and even fear people who struggle with PTSD. Often they have a character doing bad things and they talk about that person's history of child abuse as being the reason behind their seriously demented behavior where they are a threat to society.

Instead they could show how people who struggle with PTSD can be interacting, get triggered and realize something about themselves they had not realized before. Why can't they show that when this happens often this is like an epiphany where there is a tremendous urge to verbalize it and sometimes with that the person can become emotional? Wouldn't it be nice if they showed the right way to respond to that, instead of getting angry with the person or even saying "they need Drama" when that's not what is taking place at all. Why don't they show that when that does happen, instead people tend to respond in "invalidating" ways which leads to the person struggling to become ashamed and embarrassed or angry even and convinced they need to isolate so that doesn't happen unexpectedly again? No, instead what typically happens is that person is deemed something "bad" or somehow disruptive.

I watched a program not too long ago and the person took his own life, and at the end they talked about the need for awareness and financial support. It was awful IMHO and totally missed the mark. It's bad enough that people don't understand PTSD never mind depicting it in the "worst case scenarios" as I have seen thus far. And in all honesty, it has become just another "character" grab in different story lines to where it's becoming
a gradual catch word that just makes it harder on those who genuinely struggle.

If, however, you watch a documentary of "real people" struggling, you can see the "emotional pain" in their eyes, and how very much they are trying to figure out how not to have that happen, because "when" it does happen,
people tend to respond so poorly that it only makes it so much harder.
People do not even realize how "mean" they can be about this "big challenge
with trying to control emotional reactions" either.

OE

I have not seen hardly any movies or T.V shows that mention PTSD...are you sure the characters you are talking about are meant to have 'PTSD'. Perhaps I just haven't seen this. Also though not so sure most movies and t.v shows are about accurate portrayls of real life, there are some movies that are like that but most certainly throw in a lot of theatrical stuff and might be more about extremes of things as that can make it more entertaining. Also though its not entirely inaccurate that someone with PTSD would be struggling so much they attempt/commit suicide and it is possible to potentially become dangerous to others when triggered...so while those aren't the only aspects of PTSD they are issues related to it so I don't find it entirely unusual movies might express that.