Stereotypes of Mental Health Issues? (OCD, PTSD, Anxiety Disorder, Depression)?

by Greens MPs

Question by jasonrichard08: Stereotypes of mental health issues? (OCD, PTSD, anxiety disorder, depression)?
Hi, I am writing a book and I’m trying to make it quite controversial. I am covering a wide range of topics in society such as divorce, child abuse, alcoholism, depression, and issues with mental health. It is fiction, but I am going to show how my characters overcome their issues through love and changing their behavior. Unfortunately, one of my characters has major mental health disorders after he was abused as a child. I am trying to give an accurate portrayal of OCD, PTSD, depression, and anxiety disorders. He is not taking any medication because I don’t want him to have a diagnosis. I want someone who suffers from these conditions to see how this character feels and to be able to relate to him so they can get help. What sort of stereotypes do you think I could uncover and prove wrong in my book? For example, “Depression isn’t a real mental health issue. He’s just kind of blue. There is no such thing as depression, it’s just a phase.” Any ideas? If anyone has suffered these conditions, what is something you would like people to know about it or wish someone could have told you before you were diagnosed?

My goal is to raise awareness about all of these topics in society and show people that they can overcome them.
Thank you guys so much for sharing your views and experiences. I will definitely take it to heart as I write. You bring up so many great points! I have a great deal of respect for people who live with these conditions. And have several family members with them as well.

Best answer:

Answer by khole12
I have ptsd. I was raped and neglected. PTSD is violent. That’s a stereotype. A misnomer. Lots of people w/ PTSD get depressed from their inability to express themselves. Nobody pays any attention. Violence might arise from frustration. I am certainly not violent; all it takes is some validation. There are also physical complaints such as frequent headaches. I had daily headaches until somebody got me to tell them what happened.
W/ OCD it’s different. I manage my own OCD but someone told me her son had OCD so bad that he had cracks in his hands from scrubbing them so hard.

Answer by *Tani*
People with depression aren’t:

Selfish
Lazy
Attention seeking

Nothing bad needs to happen for someone to be depressed, there’s something wrong with there brain.

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments!

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