Today in the United States, we face a serious problem with mental health. See, the problem doesn’t solely lie with under knowledge of all types of mental health. The biggest problems in my opinion are over- and under-diagnosis.
A lot of children are over-diagnosed with mental health issues, such as ADD and ADHD. Additionally, most adults aren’t properly diagnosed with possible depression, anxiety, and other such issues.
With that being said, let’s also think about the way we label such “issues.” These diagnoses should never be considered problematic in the way people today look at them.
Allow me to clarify.
I myself, as an adult, have been diagnosed with anxiety, extreme recurring depression, and to top it all off, bottled emotions. Now, to me, depending on a lot of things, these diagnoses can be problematic. Yet they shouldn’t be problematic to a stranger to the point that I am being judged solely on said diagnosis. I am not crazy, I am not going to go crazy, and I work hard every day to fight through these personal problems I deal with.
There are so many other adults that don’t get the diagnosis they need to tell them they aren’t crazy, and that they aren’t a burden to anyone. But mostly you can feel better and be yourself without feeling totally unloved or forgotten.
Then we face the fact that not everyone’s depression or anxiety is the same. I personally believe that’s why so many people are not diagnosed. To those people out there, there are so many people that are and have gone through this, so don’t believe you’re alone in this!
As for our children, I personally find too many children are being diagnosed with things that are just the way children are suppose to be. Our children are not toys to sit on a shelf or go to a class room to just listen, learn, and repeat. They are children and need to be allowed to be such. They should be able to run around, have bad days, not listen and just throw a hissy fit on occasion. They are still just kids and are always human.
Take a minute with your children and find the problem, and then find the solution. Then fix it in the way it should be done. Just because your child doesn’t just sit down and be quiet doesn’t mean they have ADHD. We as parents need to do more for and with our children. Heck, they may have some good points to teach us! Maybe if we actually let our feelings out more often a few people wouldn’t have some of the mental health issues they have.
Let’s say you have a bad day at work; don’t bottle it up, don’t take it out on your loved ones. When you get home, go somewhere and throw a hissy fit for a minute. Find a safe way to take out your frustrations without hurting yourself or others.
There are so many other mental health issues out there, and I am no where near a professional. I am still researching my diagnosis and finding what works for me. The same thing doesn’t work for everyone. Just remember if you are out there and feel alone, unloved, and that you aren’t yourself, there are people out there in the same shoes as you.
I know I don’t mind talking about my problems and will happily help anyone I can with theirs. Please remember someone cares and loves you.
Faithe Henry
Ali Vee 