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“I have depression,” says an 11-year-old girl. In fact, she is just sad, but this word sounds so romantic and grown-up that she wanted to call her blues that way. Psychologists and people with non-invented diagnoses talk about the origins of the “painful” fashion and its impact on society.
Both adolescents and adults often attribute to themselves certain diagnoses from the field of psychiatry. Psychologists call this a «side effect» of de-stigmatizing mental disorders. Previously, people with such diagnoses were treated with disdain, they were feared and avoided. Now, thanks to publications, programs, podcasts and stories of «living» people in society, a more adequate, respectful position is gradually being formed in relation to them.
But there is also a downside: because of the emergence of a large amount of information about the symptoms of mental disorders, and especially because of first-person stories, “copycats” arise. These people find signs of obsessive-compulsive or bipolar disorder, depression and even schizophrenia. Because of them, familiar names also arise — “bipolar” and “depressus”.
I can do without doctors
Most copycats won’t go to a specialist to test their suspicions — though that would be the right thing to do. On the contrary, they avoid doctors, often devaluing their professionalism. They are only looking on the Web for how and what to treat.
The fantasy of counselors who «treat» mental disorders «at home» is almost limitless. Some, without blinking an eye, recommend serious prescription drugs that should be taken only under the supervision and prescription of a doctor. Others suggest spells, herbs, and some kind of «black rooster broth.»
Why do people need it?
Why would anyone want to consider themselves mentally ill? Probably the «copycats» think they get some benefits. For example, attention and likes. An excuse in case of rudeness or aggression towards others. Or the feeling that they are in trend, because the topic of mental disorders is actively discussed in social networks. Books, series and songs are dedicated to her. So, Zemfira’s recently released new album is named after borderline personality disorder.
However, those who are «interested» by attributing to themselves OCD, «depression» and «bipolar», do not realize what real pain — mental, and sometimes physical — people living with such disorders experience. We interviewed those whose diagnosis was confirmed by specialists, and they shared with us their views on living with diagnoses and about “copycats”.
«Every mental disorder is primarily a form of human suffering»
Denis Andryushchenko — clinical psychologist, gestalt therapist
Speaking about the passion for psychiatric labels, it should be noted that the disease does not create anything new in the psyche, but only sticks out, exacerbates the already existing mental processes and features. It is because of this that the pictures of mental disorders are clearly manifested, conspicuous traits of human nature.
It is human nature to strive to know oneself, to find a language that allows one to express parts of one’s soul that are difficult to describe. It is not surprising that people who are looking for a way to explain what is going on inside them, along with astrology, religious teachings and computer metaphors, use the language of psychopathology.
It should also be recognized that pseudo-psychiatric self-diagnosis is not particularly different from self-diagnosis and self-treatment of other diseases. Not knowing how else to get support and understanding, a person complains of illness and listens to similar complaints from others. Such a pastime fills his life with fellowship.
It must be remembered that each of the mental disorders is primarily a human suffering that requires our ability to sympathize and understand another person.
“People think that the diagnosis makes them special, unusual”
Maria Leibovich — psychotherapist, psychiatrist
Decadent suicide clubs and the fashion for melancholic girls are not new, read at least the writers of the early XNUMXth century. But the romantic picture-beautiful image has nothing to do with people suffering from a depressive disorder, who have to do everything through force — sometimes they cannot even bring themselves to wash. In general, the reality is quite different. It is quite easy for a specialist to distinguish them, the question of diagnosis is not worth it here.
But on the other hand, general education in these matters helps both patients and doctors. I consult both in Moscow and in other regions and notice the difference. Still in those small towns where I was, the attitude towards any mental disorders is extremely biased, a visit to the doctor is something shameful.
Shame and fear significantly complicate the therapeutic process: people are afraid of being labeled «crazy», and anxiety disorder for them is little different from schizophrenia. They have to explain a lot of what Moscow patients usually already know. So in the capital, the results of destigmatization are already noticeable, and this is good.
True, there are funny cases. One patient urged me to confirm the diagnosis of bipolar disorder. I explained to her that it takes time, it is necessary to observe, and she said: “Well, when will I be able to write in my public that I have BAD ?!” She wanted not to know more about it, but to speak online in a certain status.
Physicians have long been familiar with the «exaggerated» version of the subjective perception of their disease — among other things, it included the desire of «sick» to attract attention and receive a secondary benefit. And now social networks have expanded their opportunities.
People think that the diagnosis makes them special, unusual. But this bravado has nothing to do with the situation of those who are trying for a long time, step by step, to tell relatives about what is happening to them. For example, why can’t he go out alone. And I understand why they say that the games of imitators in «bipolar» is insulting.