when it comes to mental health, there are certain phrases and behaviors that can make even the most seasoned professionals cringe. One of the biggest culprits is the oversimplification of mental health issues. Phrases like “just think positive” or “you’ll get over it” not only undermine the complexities of mental health but can also be incredibly dismissive to those who are struggling.
This happens regularly here on lot af blogging post or other site
Not only is it embarrassing, I think it’s downright dangerous. Every time I see it, I feel genuine compassion for the person receiving it, and many have reached out to me privately after they’ve been hurt. What is it?
Assessment
It usually starts with someone asking a question, and maybe by listing a few symptoms. Within minutes, someone comes along and says they’re bipolar, narcissistic, schizophrenic, suicidal, borderline personality disorder, or psychopathic. Whatever it is, someone else will come along and diagnose someone else with that condition.
We have no idea what the mental state of the person who receives this “diagnosis” is in good faith.
On numerous occasions, I’ve had people reach out to me privately after they’ve been “diagnosed.” Many of them tell me how devastated they felt that someone diagnosed them with (fill in the blank) . They do this because they read my profile.
Worse still, they are now suicidal and talking about ending their lives. This was not the case before the “diagnosis.”
Please, if you care about your fellow human beings, do not diagnose anyone here, because you will not be there to put someone’s life back together.
Even if you have been through what they are going through, please do not “diagnose,” you do not know how much damage you could cause.
Also, if someone comes in talking about suicide, do not try to analyze them.
If you really want to help, direct them to a suicide helpline, give them the number of a hotline or tell them to seek professional help ASAP.
Quora or other sites like reddit is not the place to talk about someone’s life if they are talking about ending it. I understand that we all want to help, but sometimes pointing someone in the right direction is the best help we can give them.
Moreover, using outdated terminology or stigmatizing language can evoke discomfort among mental health professionals. Terms that perpetuate stereotypes or fail to acknowledge the nuances of individual experiences contribute to a culture that hinders open dialogue and understanding.
Another aspect that makes mental health professionals cringe is when people trivialize serious conditions for comedic effect. Joking about depression, anxiety, or other disorders can reinforce harmful stereotypes and diminish the lived experiences of those affected.
Ultimately, fostering a respectful and informed conversation around mental health is crucial. By avoiding these cringe-worthy pitfalls, we can create an environment where individuals feel safe discussing their struggles without fear of judgment or misunderstanding.
Many therapists overextend their roles, burn out and can no longer treat the problem because they are the problem. Some others:
- Therapists who are always right and take any question as a threat to their authority and possible integrity as a human being.
- Counselors who carefully turn every syllable and phrase as if they are quoting directly from the DSM-V. It’s boring and who understands or cares?
- Therapists who seldom take a day off or a vacation, seem to be usually frazzled and complain about their work load constantly. They then burn out, leaving others to take up the slack.
- The angry therapist who is determined to keep the place in a state of high anxiety and stress.
- The therapist who skips workshops and in service meetings because he is too needed by his clients.
- The agency helper or fixer of all client problems can be counted on to come off as the good guy for clients but sets up other therapists as “bad.”
- The “perfect” therapist who never has a hair out of place, ever discloses a problem or anything about himself, even to other therapists and would never lose his composure. He never refers clients even when it would be in their best interest to do so.
- Psychiatrists who don’t recognize substance abuse and if they do they treat everyone with drugs anyway.
- Therapists who blame, accuse, judge or moralize.
- Counselors who are in a position to advise others about a healthy lifestyle but act like the rules don’t apply to them. Excessive eating, drinking, and late night social activities are signs that someone is stretched to the limits and needs to look to themselves.