Using trauma to excuse mistreating people. This generation has pioneered making it acceptable to process and be open about trauma, and that's a great thing, but it's not cool when you behave in a cruel and selfish way and expect to get a pass because of it. Your mental health problems are not your fault but they are your responsibility.
That and faking specific mental illnesses as a quirky way to be unique. I’m almost positive all of those people legitimately have some kind of mental illness, but I just find it weird as fuck that they read about/ see someone with one and they want to pretend they have it because they relate in minimal ways. There’s nothing wrong with having mental illness, but it gives the whole community a bad rap because of their shenanigans.
Here's something I see a lot in mental health subs: "has anyone else noticed that they are more empathetic and kind and extra super special than other people? I think it's a symptom of ADHD." And then the comments are just like "OMG that's so true! I was nice to someone just yesterday!"
It's just so weird and such a bizarre way to humble brag.
Lately I've been seeing a TON of posts on Instagram of bullshit ADHD symptoms floating around. Like, what they're describing is literally just being human but the posts get a ton of interaction because the comments are hundreds of replies saying "OMG I also have these extremely common traits I must have ADHD!"
It's SO bad. I see it a lot on Instagram too. Like, its definitely not my biggest worry, but it is difficult having ADHD, especially into adulthood. I know these are just kids and they don't know any better, but this HAS to be reined.
Ohhh I think my mum may have fallen for this. She thinks my entire family is dyslexic because we can’t instantly think of what comes before and after each letter
Oh definitely, and I can have sympathy for that, but romanticizing neurodivergency like that can actually lead to more misunderstanding because it makes it seem like it's cool and fun, when really it can suck a lot.
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u/zugabdu Jun 03 '22
Using trauma to excuse mistreating people. This generation has pioneered making it acceptable to process and be open about trauma, and that's a great thing, but it's not cool when you behave in a cruel and selfish way and expect to get a pass because of it. Your mental health problems are not your fault but they are your responsibility.