In managing one's mental condition, it was traditionally compared to analogies of monsters, such as Vampires and Werewolves, to romanticize illnesses and one's well-being. The popular monsters made villains likeable and somewhat attractive to the sympathetic.
With the progression of Psychology, recategorizing Narcissism from Schizophrenia and the introduction of CPTSD, it feels like comparing mental health to old monsters was oversimplification. Due to that, artists have made their mark online with their own idea of how each condition must look (sometimes with how they feel, sometimes with how they seem to others).
With that, people have gone to online forums, such as Reddit and Tumblr, discussing their personal condition vary from other users diagnosed in the same category. Which led to the popularity of YouTube and TikTok influencers to bait viewership with fake diagnosis of their own condition.
Art by Sillvi
2018 - 2023 popularized Disassociation Identity Disorder (D. I. D.) as a hot topic amongst teenagers and early twenty year old victims of this condition. At first, it led many to intrigue and sympathy. Some, who had real problems living with D. I. D. revealed how far was too far, harming their dignity publicly for financial compromise. But those who could not follow with their facade were challenged by actual professionals.
Though, the diminishment of the D. I. D. topic's popularity had discouraged those making financial compromise with their ailment, the fakers had only filtered into neurodivergent issues among the majority of influencers and TikTok users between 2022-2024. Currently, we've all come to understand that popularity and money takes precedence over the respect for the well-being of others.
Art by Toby Allen
The battle to help those with mental health problems continue through therapy and self-coping techniques. Some agreeable to patience with dire issues in their struggle, some are lucky enough to be high functioning members of society. For a while, people have attempted to weaponize their condition, and treat themselves as Dragon Tamers, but when a full moon comes, they cannot help but feel the pain and bleed from their werewolf transformation.
We are to live with the matter of fact that these people are real, and whatever their cure may be, we are to be sensitive enough to care about their time and decision to exist the way they want. And think twice before diagnosing the public with misguided entertainment as law.
CITATION:
- Jess. (2020, September 1). Can you notice?: Overt vs covert identities: Dissociative identity disorder. YouTube. https://youtu.be/PXRX7cR1lYU?si=pW_MnZ_sAFGp9-ucP
- Pruthi, S. (Ed.). (2023, April 6). Narcissistic personality disorder. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/narcissistic-personality-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20366662#:~:text=Narcissistic%20personality%20disorder%20is%20a,about%20the%20feelings%20of%20others.
Author: Eugene Cordell
Advocating for equal rights through live events and media productions, Eugene has published books for mental health awareness, and is certified in ADHD Management and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, by the Academy of Modern Applied Psychology. Hosting events, like, Nerd Civil War at Ninja-Con and BentCon, and festivals like Azure Lorica FanFilm Awards, his aim to aid the Millennial generation continues through the Los Angeles Antibully Society.
