Since when did mental illness become a fad? Since when did mental illness become an accessory (the new must-have item) that self-diagnosing teens carry with them as a way to show off how strong they are? There is a running joke that artists and writers cannot be successful unless they're suffering and struggling with crippling depression. Now, it seems as though teens feel they cannot be seen as brave and resilient without having suffered through a mental illness of some sort. But self-diagnosis is dangerous. It changes the cognitive framework of the mind and has the power to completely transform someone you once knew until they are no longer recognizable... until the depression, the panic, and the anxiety start speaking for themselves.

The Things She Says

I love you.
Thank you for everything.
I'm so grateful to have someone like you in my life.
Wow, did you really just say that?
Okay.
No, it's nothing.
It's fine.
It's whatever.
You just don't understand.
You never do anything for me.
What have you ever done for me?
You're never there when I need you.
You always say the wrong thing.
I told you it's fine.
I just know not to rely on you anymore.
I don't trust you.
I hate my life.
I hate myself.
I hate you.
I'm sorry.
I'm trying.
I promise.
Can you forgive me?
I'm just so nervous.
What if no one likes me?
What if I'm just a shitty person?
I am a shitty person.
Another reason to hate myself!
No one understands me.
I'm all alone.
Stop trying to make me feel better.
It makes me feel worse.
You don't get me anything I want.
I have to do everything myself.
You need to stop being so sensitive.
Why would you say that?
You know I'm sensitive.
You're being mean.
You're making me feel bad.
Stop making me feel bad.
It's because of my anxiety.
It's because of my depression.
You know I have anxiety.
You know I have depression.
It's who I am.
Are you saying you don't accept me for who I am?
You don't care.
You never cared.
You're not sorry.
I want to kill myself.
You have no idea what it's like to be suicidal.
Yeah, I've cut myself before.
It's how I cope with my anxiety.
I love that for me!
She says she has anxiety.
Can you shut the fuck up?
Like, I actually have anxiety, and you don't.
Stop equating your bullshit feelings to my lifestyle.
Let me remind you that I have crippling depression,
two anxiety disorders,
an eating disorder, and
suicidal thoughts.
Living my best life!
No, I won't do that.
It gives me anxiety.
You know it gives me anxiety.
Can you pick me up from school?
Why not?
Please, I really need to go home.
My anxiety is acting up and I can't breathe.
Yes, because I can just shut that off.
Fine.
No, I'm not feeling better.
Because I'm never happy.
Yes, I'm never happy.
I'm just a really good actress.
It's not that hard to lie.
I'm sorry.
It's okay.
I'm so grateful to have someone like you in my life.
Thank you for everything.
I love you.