11 Things You Should Never Say To Someone With A Mental Illness
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

11 Things You Should Never Say To Someone With A Mental Illness

Because having a mental illness is hard enough without being given unsolicited advice.

95
11 Things You Should Never Say To Someone With A Mental Illness
WordPress

Having a mental illness can be exhausting, especially when there's such a negative stigma that surrounds it. The most frustrating thing I've ever experienced as a person with depression and anxiety is having to explain and prove myself to others just because they didn't believe in the validity of my mental illnesses. I've learned to ignore the negative things people say to me, whether intentional or not. However, these are 11 things that have been and are still said to those with a mental illness that hurt more than they help.

1. Just be happy.

My mental illness is not something I have control over, so I can't just "be happy." If I had the choice, I would obviously choose being happy over being depressed.

2. Get over it.

Again, if I could just "get over it," I definitely would. I would not put myself through the mental and physical pain just because I wanted to.

3. It's all in your head.

Most mental illnesses have symptoms similar to low self-esteem and low self-worth. Yes, the negative way I think about and view myself is in my head, but it's also not something I can control. I understand that my thoughts can sometimes be irrational; it doesn't need to be pointed out to me.

4. I know how you feel.

While two people may have the same mental illness, they do not suffer in the same way. Symptoms, treatment, environment, etc. can all have an effect on the way a person with a mental illness suffers. Just because you also have anxiety doesn't exactly mean you know how I'm feeling.

5. Have you tried exercising/eating healthy/other form of coping mechanism?

If you aren't my doctor or healthcare provider, please don't suggest treatments for me.

6. Well, (insert treatment method) helped my family member/friend/acquaintance.

Every person's treatment varies. What worked for your cousin or your best friend might not work for everyone.

7. I don't believe in taking medication for a mental illness.

I am a firm believer in the medication I take every morning. It has changed the way I live my life. However, if another person benefits from talk therapy and not medication, that's great. Different people need different treatment.

8. There are people who have it way worse than you.

Thank you for reminding me of all of the terrible things happening in the world, but that doesn't have any correlation with my mental illness.

9. No one wants to be around someone who's depressed/anxious all the time.

There's already a deep rooted fear in those with a mental illness that their friends and family don't care about them - why would you add fear that they'll be abandoned on top of that?

10. Everyone gets sad/stressed out sometimes.

There is a huge difference between depression and sadness, anxiety and stress, etc. That's why everyone isn't diagnosed with depression after having a bad week or with anxiety after being stressed about a test.

11. You just have to wait it out. This feeling will go away on its own.

The longer you wait to get treated for strep throat, the longer you'll have to suffer. Why should it be any different for a mental illness?

The way society treats mental illness is damaging to those who suffer from one. The stigma can cause a person to be ashamed and suffer in silence. The best thing you can ever say to someone who confides in you about a mental illness is, "I'm here for you." Just knowing that they're not alone in their fight helps more than you could ever know.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

16925
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

946014
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

122761
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lots of people sat on the cinema wearing 3D glasses
Pinterest

Ever wonder what your friend meant when they started babbling about you taking their stapler? Or how whenever you ask your friend for a favor they respond with "As You Wish?" Are you looking for new and creative ways to insult your friends?

Well, look no further. Here is a list of 70 of the most quotable movies of all time. Here you will find answers to your questions along with a multitude of other things such as; new insults for your friends, interesting characters, fantastic story lines, and of course quotes to log into your mind for future use.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments