“Hi, I’m Crazy. And you?”
“Oh, hi. I’m Bipolar.”
“And how about you?”
“Hi, well I’m depressed and I got ADHD too!”
Now by no means is the above dialogue meant to offend anyone. Nor is it meant to make fun of anyone who may genuinely suffer from any mental disorder. But nowadays it seems like practically everyone freely admits that they mentally suffer from something. Making matters worse, there are now so many official disorders it can appear that a new one is being released each week; it’s almost like an episode of your favorite TV series.
What’s in a Mental Disorder
“A mental disorder is a syndrome characterized by clinically significant disturbance in an individual’s cognition, emotion regulation, or behavior that reflects a dysfunction in the psychological, biological, or developmental processes underlying mental functioning.”
If the above definition is taken to heart then possibly 99.9% of the world’s population might indeed be mad. The problem, however, lies not so much in the disorders people may or may not have; it’s how they choose to treat with them.
Firstly, many people embrace their “disorders” as though they are badges to be worn for some sort of accomplishment. Secondly, we have those people who actively shy away from acknowledging that they suffer from disorders. And this is perhaps due to shame or fear of being judged. Neither scenario is good because none proactively treats with the problems. The problems that stem from each disorder only continue to be dusted under the mat.
Excuses for foolish behavior
You don’t hear people running around proudly declaring that they have cancer or AIDS, yet you constantly hear endless people self-diagnosing themselves that they are not too right in the head. And somehow this has become acceptable.
“I’m Bipolar, so please excuse my foolish behavior—the same behavior I can fully control when a specific person is in the room (like a boss or supervisor). But for you, please know that I can go crazy on you at anytime. Sorry but I just can’t help it. Again, I’m Bipolar.” It’s this absurd mindset that perpetuates the trivialization of mental disorders to the point that so many don’t care to properly address or speak up about them.
Some people need real help
There are real people with real mental disorders who need professional help. The rest who believe that something is mentally wrong with them—and have proven it—yet pass it off as though it’s no big deal, they may need even more help. But the help they may need, since they do not believe that they have a serious problem, might need to be a little more intrusive. For example:
“Hi, I’m crazy.”
“Hi, I just killed three people and I will fu*k you up if you bark up the wrong tree!”
Dealing with “crazy people”
While some people would treat with “crazy people” as seen above it should not have to come to this. Today equality and peace is constantly promoted and there are just too many positive alternatives that can be considered. Rather than just attach a label to every disorder and each person merely claim theirs as though it is a captured Pokemon to be used in battle, people should strive harder to control and cast away their demons. The last thing the world needs are more crazy people and more people making fun of mental disorders.
With any luck, maybe one day in the distant future the moment someone says, “Hi, I’m crazy” everyone will cordially respond, “Hey, I know a good doctor. Let me help you.” And then we’ll all live happily ever after … because dreaming is still more positive than forever making excuses that you’re just crazy.
