It has become a trend so say you have anxiety, depression, OCD or another mental illness.

Newsflash: it's not cute, nor is it a joke.

Mental illnesses are serious. Do NOT diagnose yourself with a mental illness before consulting your doctor.

Being shy is not the same as having anxiety. Being sad or upset about something is not the same as being diagnosed with depression. Being organized is not the same as having obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Let me explain some mental illnesses.

Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) according to Teen Mental Health is when there is a disruption in how the brain signals when there is danger. With GAD, the brain signals there is danger where there actually isn't any. GAD is excessively worrying and anxiety about every day activities over a long period of time. GAD can affect a person's school, work and relationships. GAD comes with some physical partners like nausea, shaking, sweating, headaches and aches and pains. There are other forms of anxiety as well.

According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) is an extreme fear of being judged by others in social or performance situations. People with SAD avoid every day activities, like shopping, going for a walk, answering questions in class and talking to close friends and family. 15 million Americans are diagnosed with SAD.

Next on my list is a disorder I am all too familiar with - depression.

Although there are many forms of depression, the National Institute of Mental Health says depression is an extreme case of the "blues". It's the dysregulation of the brains function that controls the emotions. It is a mood disorder that is characterized by intense and persisting negative thoughts and actions. It's very different from being sad, because someone with depression often times can't "snap out of it." It affects the way they feel, think, and act. Depression is said to be the biggest contributor to suicides.

Last on my list is obsessive-compulsive disorder.

According to AnxietyBC, OCD consists of two parts: obsession and compulsion. Obsessions are persistent, intrusive, unwanted thoughts, images or urges. Compulsions are repetitive behaviors or mental acts that the person performs to reduce the anxiety caused by the obsession. Often times, compulsions are done ritualistically or in a very specific way. OCD can begin as a child, ages seven through 12, and can continue through their adult years; and OCD occurs in 2-3 percent of people.

People who are diagnosed with mental illnesses face challenges every day and often times have trouble keeping friends.

Romanticizing having a mental illness isn't cool.

There is nothing cute about having anxiety. Why would you want to constantly be afraid of being around people? Don't you think you are mocking people who have anxiety when you say things, like "talking to my crush gives me anxiety"?

Anxious is an adjective.

Anxiety is a mental illness.

Nothing is cute about having depression. Take it from me. I was diagnosed with depression at a young age. I constantly think I am lonely, unloved and worthless. I self-loath every chance I get. I feel constant sadness, and sometimes I feel nothing at all. I don't even feel like I'm living in the same body. Why would you want to feel empty and lonely all the time? Depression, for me, literally feels like drowning without any water.

Sad is an adjective.

Depression is a mental illness.

Nothing is cute about having OCD. Think about this poem I know written by Neil Hilborn

It reads:

"The first time I saw her

Everything in my head went quiet.

All the tics, all the constantly refreshing images just disappeard.

When you have Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, you don't really get quiet moments.

Even in bed I'm thinking:

Did I lock the doors? Yes.

Did I wash my hands? Yes.

Did I lock the doors? Yes.

Did I wash my hands? Yes."

Would you want to complete the same act a million times over? Would you want to stop at every crack in the sidewalk just because you have to cross is three times at each crack? Stop saying you are OCD about the way your shoes go in your closet! You're organized!

Organize is a verb.

OCD is a mental illness.

PLEASE. PLEASE. PLEASE. Stop saying you have anxiety, depression, OCD and other mental illnesses unless you are diagnosed with it by a professional.

Repeat after me:

Mental illnesses are not a joke.

If you are someone, or know someone that has a mental illness, you are not alone. Do not be ashamed.

If you know someone that might have a mental illness there are hotlines available.

If you or someone you know has talked about wanting to commit suicide, call the hotline.