The worst part of having a mental illness is that people expect you to act as if you didn't have it. 11-11-2019
Por: César A. Fernández
The rise of the film "Joker" has prompted an awakening of awareness on the issues of Mental Health; in addition to making a call to the system to generate public policies that take the reality of mental problems seriously, it motivates society to turn its gaze towards the conditions that these bring, and to raise awareness with those who suffer from them.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2017) about 300 million people in the world suffer from depression and more than 260 million have anxiety disorders. In the United States, approximately half of adults (46.4%) will experience a mental health condition throughout their life (National Council for Behavioral Health, 2019). In Latin America, it is estimated that about 30% of the population has at least one of the 20 most common mental health disorders (Medina-Mora, E. et al, 2003).
Even with such high numbers, mental health disorders remain largely unknown to our society. Sometimes, those who suffer from mental conditions are marginalized, rejected, and ridiculed; but above all, they are misunderstood.
As Arthur's character comments in the new movie “Joker,” “the worst part about having a mental illness is that people expect you to act like you don't have it.” And this is a great reality, either from ignorance, from having forgotten or from unreal expectations.
Relatives and friends often invalidate what these individuals are feeling and thinking, and unintentionally contribute to the person experiencing, on top of the emotional picture they are presenting, the feeling of lack of support, misunderstanding and social alienation.
For example, a person suffering from ageneralized anxiety disorder, panic attacks, or some phobia has a level of nervousness, tension, worry, or fear that is incomprehensible to those who do not suffer from one of these conditions. Usually the reactions of individuals with anxiety disorders are branded by others as exaggerated, ridiculous and baseless. Often the environment of these people responds with phrases such as: “That's not a big deal! Don't worry so much, ”or “oh please stop! You have to learn to calm down. ”
In the same area, a person with a social anxiety disorder tends to feel incredibly overwhelmed by minimal social interactions that are daily stuff for other people. Going to a party, greeting the neighbor, inviting a friend to dinner become extremely difficult tasks and tend to be avoided. Sometimes the environment of these individuals can be very disabling using phrases such as "you already know these people, you don't have to get like this", "you're too old to be embarrassed".
On the other hand, a person with a depressive mood disorder does not find motivation to do what they like, they have no energy not even to fulfill their duties, they can appear sad for no apparent reason, they do not concentrate on their work, and may want to spend the whole day lying down. The environment then proceeds to label them as lazy and apathetic, and tends to invalidate them with phrases such as: "take courage and get up from that bed", "if you continue like this you will not get anywhere in life", or "you have no reason to be sad". And just like these examples, countless scenarios are presented where we are waiting for people with some mental health condition to behave as if they did not have that condition.
What can we do about it?
I invite you to try to be understanding with those who suffer from a mental health situation, rephrase the expectations you have about the person's behavior, and review the ways in which you may be invalidating their experience.
If you are the one who is going through a mental health situation, remember that not everyone will understand what is happening to you, and that sometimes behind "that's no big deal", there is a great desire to make you feel better, even if they are not achieving that.
In short, let us take advantage of these trends to talk and read about the different mental conditions, let us inform ourselves and become aware of the issues that affect us. An open communication channel is the most recommended way to raise awareness together and build a support system for those who need it.
You can see this article published in the newspaper Listin Diario
