I’m going to come out and say it: mental illnesses are not to be romanticized under any circumstance. There is nothing glamorous, sensual or even plausible about a boy saving the day and kissing the pain away. Depression is not cute. Anxiety is not an aesthetic. Bipolar disorder is not a joke.

In fact, accepting those things is not only detrimental to society, but detrimental to your own well-being. The more we idealize these absolutely prevalent topics, the less we will be able to address them in a healthy manner when they do come up.

Though not diagnosed, anxiety has been a prevalent aspect of my life—anxiety attacks, chest pains and hyperventilation, oh my. (Doesn’t sound fun at all, does it?)

I have had to walk out of class countless times to regroup. I have also seen the effects anxiety has on my loved ones.

Many of us have felt this, and I am by no means attempting to demean or belittle anyone going through this. What I am doing is reminding us all that there is no reason to flaunt it on social media in a strange attempt to gain a few followers. I can absolutely promise you that you will not get more attention.

We live under the pressure of a society that flaunts these diseases like a new scarf. Waving it around for all to see and allowing it to blow in the wind. The people who have to wear that scarf everyday never get to take it off. Sometimes, that scarf (that you can just throw on as you please) keeps them from living to their full extent—forcing them to depend on medication or meditation or mediation just so they can get by.

Putting edgy song lyrics atop a black and white selfie does not make you a “relatable teen.” These illnesses are not a hashtag; if you want to be “edgy” or “grunge,” buy some Doc Martens and mom jeans. While you’re at it, let’s try not to contribute to the glamour of an eating disorder. I can guarantee that, if I see that on my Instagram feed, I am unfollowing you.

Remember that, while you can change suit any time you want; these people cannot escape the deck of cards they were dealt. You can talk about getting an anxiety attack because they ran out of your size at Hollister, but remember that there are people out there who can’t even get out of bed without the fear of potentially collapsing from an anxiety attack.

Be considerate. Love and respect the friends and strangers around you who are battling mental illnesses. Whatever you do, make sure that you do not make someone’s fight your flavor of the day.