Beyond Buzzwords: Navigating the Complexity of Mental Health Discourse

Over the decades, we have seen more people talk about their mental illness and mental health disorders publicly. What used to be such a taboo topic are now discussed widely; from personal conversations to social media platforms and also on news channel. Psychological terms such as depression, anxiety, panic attack, and many more are used more commonly than before on a day-to-day basis, as more people are aware of the meaning of those words compared to years ago. This situation is also influenced by numerous movies and films, circulating their themes around mental health issues. While it is uplifting that, there is an increased awareness of mental health illness shown by increased public knowledge of those complicated psychological terms, are we really sure the public really understands the true meaning of those words they lightly throw in their conversations?

 To prove my point, it is not uncommon to hear at least one person saying sentences like:

"I am so depressed today."

and

 "Sorry if I am a clean freak, I have OCD." 

This phenomenon of using such complex terms without fully understanding the meaning of every word used shows that there is a clear significant difference between awareness and understanding. While we applaud the effort being put in, to end the stigma of talking about mental illness and mental health disorders, the public seems to forget that the bigger part of raising awareness is to first understand the meaning of each mental health problem instead of throwing those "fancy words" in conversations. In addition to that, the effect of this phenomenon would mean they are more likely to use these words casually or simplistically in everyday conversation. I believe some people have the aim to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health terms however this could lead to the oversimplification of the complexities of these conditions. 

For instance, using the word "depressed" instead of "sad" to describe an emotional state characterized by a deep sense of unhappiness, sorrow, or emotional pain when one is not actually experiencing clinical depression is undermining the seriousness of mental health conditions like depression. It's important to remember that depression isn't just a fleeting sadness; it's a complex and debilitating mental health issue that requires empathy and understanding. It might also downplay the experiences of individuals who genuinely struggle with the disorder. Plus, it reminds us that it is crucial to be sensitive to the experiences of those who have been diagnosed with clinical depression and to avoid casual or inappropriate use of the term.

Another explanation of this phenomenon is the trivialization of mental health issues in media when these complex and often serious conditions are portrayed in a simplistic or dismissive manner, reducing them to mere plot devices or character quirks with no intention to raise awareness or provide any educational value on how to deal with these conditions. This can have detrimental effects on how the audience perceives the severity and impact of mental health challenges. For example, in some TV shows or movies, characters with mental health conditions are often used solely for comic relief. As an example, characters with bipolar disorder may be portrayed as unpredictable and erratic with their mood swings exaggerated for comedic effect. This can reinforce the stereotype that people with bipolar disorder are simply "crazy" or "wild," overlooking the complexities and challenges they face. 

When media portrays mental health conditions in a trivial or humorous manner through favorite characters, it can inadvertently reinforce the normalization of using certain terms casually or inappropriately. For instance, characters with mental health conditions portrayed as quirky or eccentric may lead some viewers to perceive mental health challenges as mere personality quirks rather than genuine medical conditions. This can contribute to the misunderstanding of the seriousness of these disorders.

Another effect of the trivialization of mental illness and mental health disorders that personally infuriates me is the self-diagnoses of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), If you go on Tiktok there are endless videos talking about people reading one (1) article and automatically think that they have ADHD or are autistic. It is worse when you read the comment because they would base their diagnosis on a TikTok video when in reality diagnosing conditions like ADHD or ASD is a complex process that typically involves comprehensive assessments conducted by qualified healthcare professionals, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, or neurologists. Not only that, when individuals self-diagnose based on social media content, they might be influenced by confirmation bias, where they interpret information in a way that supports their preconceived notions. This can lead to inaccurate conclusions.

Again, with media influence, I believe media portrayals of characters with ADHD or other conditions can sometimes highlight certain traits or characteristics that may be perceived as unique or interesting. This can pique individuals' curiosity and lead them to wonder if they share similar traits, hence leading to self-diagnosis of ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and other mental health issues. As much as we applaud the growing awareness of mental health issues, the growing number of teens turning to social platforms such as Instagram and TikTok for guidance and resources is concerning. Self-diagnosing and mislabeling of mental illness and mental health disorders could make them feel isolated and it might be counterproductive in getting them the help that they need.

To conclude, it is crucial for us to increase our understanding of psychological terms and reduce misusages of these terms. Media outlets for instance should be encouraged to responsibly depict mental illness and mental health disorders. Doing so would highlight the importance of accurate and sensitive portrayals in reducing stigma. The public should also seek reliable and evidence-based resources when navigating issues about mental health to ensure accurate information. Not only that, individuals need to learn to critically evaluate media portrayals of mental health. They should be taught to question stereotypes and inaccuracies in media depictions.