The mental health movement has really taken off, and while we aren't at the end of the battle, society's awareness and the removal of the stigma surrounding mental illness has improved greatly, even since I was a pre-teen. That said, there's some trouble with individuals "cutting out the middle man" and instead of seeing a mental health specialist when they suspect unhealthy thinking/emotional patterns, just taking an online quiz or comparing themselves against a pop culture symbol of a disease and declaring that they have depression, anxiety, etc. This hurts them, and it can potentially create difficulties for those who really do have the disease. We need to talk about that.
Dangers of self-diagnosing
Let me walk you through a scenario. Sam hears about depression watching a TV show. It piqued Sam's interest, and Sam identified with the sadness, feelings of hopelessness and exclusion, and guilt. Sam then goes online and takes a screening quiz, which asks only about sadness, hopelessness, apathy, general discontent, changes in appetite, and if the person taking the quiz has experienced suicidal thoughts. Lo and behold, Sam gets a response saying there is a high risk or Sam displays many symptoms of having depression. Sam very well may have depression, this is true. However, let's take a look at all of the other mental illnesses that are associated with depression:
*Alcohol abuse/dependence
*Anxiety disorders (such as generalized anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, etc.)
*Depressive disorders (such as Seasonal Affective Disorder, Psychotic Depression, Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder, etc. )
*Bipolar Disorder
*Panic Disorder
*Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
*Eating Disorders (Anorexia, Binge Eating, Bulimia, Diabulimia, etc.)
*Schizophrenia
*Autism Spectrum Disorders
*Attachment Disorder
*Dissociative Fugue/Dissociative Amnesia
*Attachment Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
That's a pretty big list. Now let's look at all of the symptoms the screening didn't check for:
*Anxiety
*Mood Swings
*Trouble staying or falling asleep, insomnia, or excess tiredness
*Physical fatigue
*Agitation
*Excessive Crying
*Social Isolation
*Lack of Concentration
*Slowness in Activity
*Repetition of thoughts
Sam now identifies as depressed. What Sam doesn't know, is he actually has bipolar disorder. In Sam's particular case, what is best treatment for what he's experiencing is 1 to 6 mg of Risperdal, and serious cognitive behavior therapy. However, since Sam took the quiz and was satisfied with that result, Sam's going to continue to struggle with his bipolar disorder and the other symptoms that comes along with it. The character struggling with depression didn't seek help and miraculously improved after having their friends intervene, so Sam thinks he'll be fine, too. A manic episode could result in him seriously harming himself or others, and proper treatment could significantly reduce the threat of that becoming an issue, but it's not being pursued now.
Why Mental Health Professionals and Programs Exist
We can't come to discover all of our problems mental, emotional, or otherwise from a five minute self-reflection session. Sometimes we'll miss symptoms because our "normal" isn't actually healthy. Some disorders have symptoms we'd have never suspected, or we could really need help from meds in conjunction with therapy. Our minds are complex and fragile things, and we need to handle them responsibly. Occasionally, that means seeing someone who's studied it.
Mental healthcare providers can talk to us, help us figure out how we're doing and how we need to change our thinking, prescribe us tools like support animals, medications, referrals to support groups, etc. They're a third party who can help guide us through difficult times. I think a lot of people write off therapists as people whose only concern is to tell you you have something you don't, and take your money. This isn't true, and to continue to speak that way could potentially put lives at risk. Professionals play an important part in the role of aiding, relieving, and even rescuing those who suffer from mental illness, and giving them the lives they deserve.
How to Get the Help You Need
If you are struggling with a mental illness, there's a few steps you can take to find the help you need. Firstly, write a list of things your concerned about. Are you experiencing suicidal thoughts, intense anger, sadness, moodiness, having trouble making connections with people, etc.? Whatever is going on that you're concerned about, be certain to write it down so you remember everything when you meet with a counselor. Secondly, look up mental health professionals in your area and make an appointment. It's perfectly fine to try a few so you know you have the right fit. To prepare for your appointment, you can look into different types of therapy and talk with your provider about what you think might work best for you. Be completely honest during your appointments, talking about what you're experiencing, things you worry your illness has caused you to do, (no matter how embarrassing or odd, there's nothing they haven't heard before, and they will be compassionate) and your family history. Thirdly, talk with those closest to you, having a matter-of-fact conversation with them about what's going on with you, what your concerns are, and how they can best support you. You can talk with them about warning signs that you're not doing well, what you're experiencing, what kinds of things you need to avoid, whatever you think they need to know, tell them.
For emergency services, calling 911 is always appropriate. You can walk into a hospital if you or a loved one is close to or has attempted suicide, or any other mental health emergency. For the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, call 1-800-273-8255.
Please, do not hesitate to get help if you're concerned or hurting. Do not dismiss unhealthy patterns, and do not underestimate the seriousness of mental health. You're worth doing things correctly!
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