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Is Mental Health In Danger Of Becoming Trivialised ?

By *essaMay OP Woman 40 weeks ago

Fairytale Wood

Might be a contentious subject, having suffered myself with mental health issues. So pleased with awareness is being increased, but are we heading down a road where Mental Health is becoming an excuse for everything, including as a dating tool by some, antisocial behaviour, and is being used to gain?

As such it will be trivialised to such an extent that people who are genuinely suffering will once again be overlooked? The old story of the boy who cried wolf.

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By *hrowawaydevice1987Man 40 weeks ago

SW London/Surrey

I think people are selling diagnosing themselves with issues which they maynot have and using it as a excuse to be a dick.

I know one girl who says she has bipolar (not officially diagnosed) and hides behind it when she wants to be an arsehole!

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By *batMan 40 weeks ago

Alicante, Spain. (Sometimes in Wales)

I see where you’re coming from, but hopefully people will be able to distinguish between someone who sees themselves as a little neurodivergent and someone who is exhibiting serous psychosis that needs urgent help.

In days gone by, we just had a few “weird kids” in school. Turns out that they weren’t just weird, but were actually wired differently, and that’s good to know.

Gbat

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By (user no longer on site) 40 weeks ago

No because the only people that would do that overlooking are people that are clearly unwilling to accept it. It’s like people who say that terms like racism are losing meaning. They’re not. People just need to accept that our increased understanding means that things are different and our behaviours are going to be different too.

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By *nightsoftheCoffeeTableCouple 40 weeks ago

Leeds

It's the same as any disability/health condition some will use it as an excuse for acting a certain way, not doing something etc and others won't.

Some will be unable to do certain things and will be a certain way because of their diagnosis but others will judge them on their abilities regardless of medical knowledge.

Just because 1 person with depression/bi polar etc acts a certain way doesn't mean it affects all this way, your experience and mine could differ hugely.

Swings and roundabouts.

Mrs

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By *UGGYBEAR2015Man 40 weeks ago

BRIDPORT

Whilst the increasing awareness has to be a good thing, it will inevitably lead to some exploitation.

Unfortunately there is little to be done about it that will not have a negative effect on those who are genuine.

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By *ad NannaWoman 40 weeks ago

East London

The problem with mental health issues is there are so many different ones that affect people differently, with differing severity, that we can't just say I have mental health issues.

To be honest, I'd never say to anyone I have mental health problems; I just say I'm not well and then explain if needed.

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By *agerMorganMan 40 weeks ago

Canvey Island

Yes it is, and I’m not afraid to say it.

A lot of people, young and old, are using mental health to justify shitty behaviour.

Lately I’ve seen a lot of posts elsewhere on social media saying how they’ll abuse their partner but it’s ok because they have anxiety/depression etc. that’s not good! And it’s been accepted as the norm.

Has self diagnosis become prevalent? Absolutely, and now idiots are wearing their “self diagnosed mental health problems” as a badge of honor. Infuriates me no end

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple 40 weeks ago

in Lancashire

In relation to the question then yes to a degree it's inevitable, it's human nature that some will seek to exploit or invent a condition for their own advantages..

As to how many that's a different question, even one is out of order if that person colours another's perception negatively in relation to someone genuine ..

If however a debate is had on MH per se that could be positive as too many people won't open up even now due to the stigmas about such illnesses /conditions..

in particular young men who are still the highest group at risk..

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By *ealitybitesMan 40 weeks ago

Belfast

I've spoken on here before about a disciplinary involving a member of staff for seriously inappropriate comments to a female colleague.

The following day he physically attacked me and immediately claimed he had MH issues and went off on the sick for 6 weeks to avoid dismissal.

He had also used the same defence in regards to his behaviour and language initially.

Based on that experience and others there is a culture of not so much self diagnosing but of playing the MH card to avoid consequences or wriggle out of certain situations.

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By (user no longer on site) 40 weeks ago

Mental health is such a broad term and everyone will suffer with some type of mental health issue at some stage in their lives.

Because its not as easily spotted you will have some people that will self diagnose and use it as a way to behave negatively which could create the "boy that cried wolf" syndrome and cast doubt over others dealing with more severe issues.

But, I think it is a good thing that we bring awareness to it, especially for men as alot of men won't adress it which can lead on to other issues like suicide, substance abuse, anti social behaviours etc.

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By *ellhungvweMan 40 weeks ago

Cheltenham

"I've spoken on here before about a disciplinary involving a member of staff for seriously inappropriate comments to a female colleague.

The following day he physically attacked me and immediately claimed he had MH issues and went off on the sick for 6 weeks to avoid dismissal.

He had also used the same defence in regards to his behaviour and language initially.

Based on that experience and others there is a culture of not so much self diagnosing but of playing the MH card to avoid consequences or wriggle out of certain situations."

The problem here is a failure of HR policies. At present companies are generally bending over backwards to be helpful to people with mental health issues. That’s a good thing. What does need to happen though is a reduction in the reliance on people self diagnosing and that being taken at face value.

Historically, if a person used physical injuries to try to escape disciplinary procedures then a company would request a medical diagnosis and confirmation. I don’t think that’s currently happening with mental health issues and that needs to change.

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By *ouple in LancashireCouple 40 weeks ago

in Lancashire

"I've spoken on here before about a disciplinary involving a member of staff for seriously inappropriate comments to a female colleague.

The following day he physically attacked me and immediately claimed he had MH issues and went off on the sick for 6 weeks to avoid dismissal.

He had also used the same defence in regards to his behaviour and language initially.

Based on that experience and others there is a culture of not so much self diagnosing but of playing the MH card to avoid consequences or wriggle out of certain situations."

He might well have genuine MH issues, he might not have wanted that to be widely known in the workplace..

Not excusing his actions at all and he could well be a wrong un but if he had/has a condition and his meds were not being maintained etc his behaviour might not be normal nor appropriate..

Not saying people don't play a card to excuse or manipulate but we don't always know even as managers and colleagues what's going on with some in the workplace..

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By *ealitybitesMan 40 weeks ago

Belfast

"I've spoken on here before about a disciplinary involving a member of staff for seriously inappropriate comments to a female colleague.

The following day he physically attacked me and immediately claimed he had MH issues and went off on the sick for 6 weeks to avoid dismissal.

He had also used the same defence in regards to his behaviour and language initially.

Based on that experience and others there is a culture of not so much self diagnosing but of playing the MH card to avoid consequences or wriggle out of certain situations.

He might well have genuine MH issues, he might not have wanted that to be widely known in the workplace..

Not excusing his actions at all and he could well be a wrong un but if he had/has a condition and his meds were not being maintained etc his behaviour might not be normal nor appropriate..

Not saying people don't play a card to excuse or manipulate but we don't always know even as managers and colleagues what's going on with some in the workplace..

I accept that but he admitted to another colleague that he had been advised to use that defence by a fellow compatriot if he ever got into difficulty at work long before he even arrived in the country.

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By *essaMay OP Woman 40 weeks ago

Fairytale Wood

Agreed there is a lot more to be done and some greats points, as even now people find it difficult to come out about them. But if MH is becomes even more explotative and trivialised, will it make it even harder for those to come forward feeling they would be tarred with the same brush. People will become complacent and dismissive. Yeah Yeah, whatever! Every one has MH issues these days!

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By *otSoPoshWoman 40 weeks ago

In a ball gown because that's how we roll in N. Devon

In short, yes. There are a lot of people who self diagnose, often wrongly or fraudulently, and a lot of people who manipulate GPs into a diagnosis for gain. It isn't a new thing, from experience I can safely say it has been going on all my life, but with MH issues being more publicised and more accepted, yet still not understood fully, it has become more widespread.

And the problem is that the more we know, the more that issues and symptoms are publicised, the easier it is for people to fake them successfully. There's no outward evidence for most of these things. Nothing obvious. And many, many people with a wide range of MH troubles are very, very good at hiding them to appear normal, perhaps for themselves and perhaps for society.

I haven't answers, or even suggestions of answers. There is no silver bullet to fix this, partly because we can't discriminate against anyone (I'm not saying that's a bad thing, btw). A fix would mean that yes, the people playing the system would lose the ability to do that. But it would mean that people who need help wouldn't just slip through cracks, they'd slide into chasms. They'd give up more easily trying to get help. And they would struggle even more than now.

I say this as someone who does have diagnosed MH struggles, but receives absolutely no state assistance at all. Nothing. No benefits, no medical. Because it is too hard to get help. The times I've tried, I've failed. The help hasn't helped. And because I've always just sucked it up, pulled up my big girl pants, put on my armour (we affectionately call her "Posh") and hidden myself from the world while the outer shell fools everyone into thinking I'm the life and soul of the party. That isn't healthy, and there is a hell of a lot of trauma and brain goblins hidden in there. But every time I manage to push all that down and actually get out of the door, that's an achievement. And every time I can get through it, get home and shut my front door without showing the world what's under the armour, it doesn't matter that I then break down completely. Because that's an achievement.

The fact that there are people who claim mental issues like I have in order to cheat the system makes me angry. It also makes me feel I'd be cheating the system if I ever accepted help.

There is no fix that can work for everyone though, because unless someone lets their armour be removed no one knows if it is real and necessary or if it's smoke and mirrors.

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By *stellaWoman 40 weeks ago

London

"Might be a contentious subject, having suffered myself with mental health issues. So pleased with awareness is being increased, but are we heading down a road where Mental Health is becoming an excuse for everything, including as a dating tool by some, antisocial behaviour, and is being used to gain?

As such it will be trivialised to such an extent that people who are genuinely suffering will once again be overlooked? The old story of the boy who cried wolf.

I don’t believe that anyone uses it as an excuse. I really don’t.

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By (user no longer on site) 40 weeks ago

As such it will be trivialised to such an extent that people who are genuinely suffering will once again be overlooked? The old story of the boy who cried wolf.

I don’t believe that anyone uses it as an excuse. I really don’t. "

There are people that do beaut. I have a neighbour that's admitted that all he has to say is my mental health is suffering to the housing association and they reschedule a visit so he gets away with smoking we*d, cleaning and getting rid of the smell and then says to them when they visit ' I just had a bad day'

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By *stellaWoman 40 weeks ago

London

As such it will be trivialised to such an extent that people who are genuinely suffering will once again be overlooked? The old story of the boy who cried wolf.

I don’t believe that anyone uses it as an excuse. I really don’t.

I obviously don’t know them and can’t comment, but let me just pose this - I wonder often about things like bravado and gallows humour - the things we say we do because we’re actually masking what’s really going on for us. Depression and other mental health conditions have many faces. Even when someone says something do we ever truly know what’s going on for them, and do we always know what’s going on for ourselves. Not debating your specific case, or the next person’s example - just thinking.

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By (user no longer on site) 40 weeks ago

I’m reminded of when loads of people were on social media announcing they had ADHD. Which now it’s mkt getting them much attention seems to have largely cured itself as they move en mass to the next thing.

Genuine MH isn’t getting trivialised, people are just much better at spotting the self diagnosis attention seeking.

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By *ee VianteWoman 40 weeks ago

Somewhere in North Norfolk

What would help more is if our government would properly fund the health service so decent diagnosis and treatment is available for MH conditions.

MH treatment is a postcode lottery in this country and it mostly ranges from poor to completely non-existant.

It's a false economy because it ends up costing more to deal with the fall out.

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By *VineMan 40 weeks ago

The right place

I am aware of mental health issues being discussed more openly and normalised. Which is great.

I don’t think I’ve seen many examples of it being trivialised.

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By *electableicecreamMan 40 weeks ago

The West

"I’m reminded of when loads of people were on social media announcing they had ADHD. Which now it’s mkt getting them much attention seems to have largely cured itself as they move en mass to the next thing.

Genuine MH isn’t getting trivialised, people are just much better at spotting the self diagnosis attention seeking. "

One of the reasons for this is entire generations of women were overlooked in ASD and ADHD diagnoses because the test was based on male presenting symptoms and it was never taken into account that women might present with different symptoms.

An enormous amount of women have been diagnosed in the last decade and this is one of the reasons we see a big surge in popular culture.

Another reason is monetization. ASD and ADHD diagnosis and treatment are now big business.

There has been some interesting reactions over the years to the emerging culture of 'everyone is on the spectrum somewhere ' the #actuallyautistic movement was particularly vocal.

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By *electableicecreamMan 40 weeks ago

The West

I'd add that as much as Neurospicy has become as normal to see social media as people's pronouns, other debilitating disorders still have a lot of stigma attached and don't get the in the limelight which ultimately means less funding and support

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By *oupleus30Couple 40 weeks ago

Minster

Problem is doctors are so busy as soon as someone mentions .mental health it's here take these. It is so easy to say that's what you have. I don't know whether it's my generation that finds this ease to easy. I do wonder what has happend to diagnosis.

When I was diagnosed 30 years ago I was given medication but made to go to counselling or a group 4 weeks later if I didn't go they would take you off the medication

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By *olfandtazCouple 40 weeks ago

Bristol

I've has mental health issues in my past to the extent of being a hospital outpatient. I still have bad days with it now.

It winds me up when people cry mental health without being properly diagnosed or even going to the GP, its flagged as a common excuse which only makes it harder for those with needs to get the help required

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By *ongandharderMan 40 weeks ago

Rotherham

As such it will be trivialised to such an extent that people who are genuinely suffering will once again be overlooked? The old story of the boy who cried wolf.

100% and social media doesn't help

Making people believe they have conditions they don't

I suffer with depression and take 150mg of sertraline a day

It's used by some people as a get out of responsibility, to act a certain way or to be dare I say fashionable

Mental health is no joke and should never be treated like one

One thing that's annoys me is the damage that the mental health defence in courts does for the general public

Making out that the only reason a crime was commited was due to mental illness

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By *ophieslutTV/TS 40 weeks ago

Central

Most disabilities are invisible and mental health covers and incredibly diverse spectrum of issues.

It's better that we continue to expand both the range and depth of understanding, so that we're all more informed, rather than limiting ourselves to ignorance. There may be some who will conflate their behaviour etc to mental health conditions but this is only potentially enabled, if we're all less aware and understanding.

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By *issmorganWoman 40 weeks ago

Calderdale innit

I think it's great that there's more awareness and empathy now.

However I do think due to that some People use it as an excuse for bad behaviour.

Or use it as a reason to get out of doing things/taking responsibility for their own actions.

I know someone on social media who openly racks up debts then when they can't pay it back, starts claiming they shouldn't have got the loan or credit card. Then cries irresponsible lending due to mh to try and get it written off.

It's like the benefits system , it's there to help those who genuinely need it. There will always be people who will abuse the system too.

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By (user no longer on site) 40 weeks ago

I know someone who is currently going through a disciplinary process due to their time away from work, their attendance is unsatisfactory, They have been removed from company sick pay and have not received their annual bonus due to this.

Now here is the link to the thread, 90% of the time off has been taken due to their MH Disability. They struggle with Anxiety panic and depression with migraines. Are the company trivialising their illness by not paying them etc and disciplinary route? Or are they right to do so? The poor guy is a right mess desperately trying to work because he needs the money but terrified and presenting at work with illness. Thoughts?

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