Anyone else get annoyed by language that seems to mock PTSD?

[alwaysworkingthruit]

I have some friends who loosely use language -usually associated with work, mind you- that, in my mind, mocks PTSD (ie: "It's nice to not feel sheer panic about having to go to work tomorrow. I still have PTSD over it"). This person HAS NOT been diagnosed, and while I do think I have thick skin, I'm annoyed with comments like these nonetheless. I dont think I can ever explain what PTSD has done to me and how it has changed my life. I realize that others dont understand the depth of how I've been affected, but if you know my diagnosis, WTH would you say something so thoughtless? Am I overreacting?

 

[TruthSeeker]

No, I’d let that go and chalk it up to ignorance.

 

[Neverthesame]

It doesn't bother me.
I can't control what other people say, getting upset over a comment likely made in jest is one more piece of stress I don't need in my life.

 

[somerandomguy]

If those people really had PTSD they wouldn't be so flip. That's all. Hopefully they'll never find out what it's really like.

 

[EveHarrington]

If those people really had PTSD they wouldn't be so flip.

True dat!

Those of us with ptsd tend to try and hide it more than anything.

 

[Kubash16]

That would annoy the hell out of me, but then I would be inclined to say, “You want to have PTSD? Please, take mine, I don’t need or want it anymore. I won’t even charge you for it.”

 

[Vox]

It does bother me initially, but I let it go because they don't know any better.

 

[The Albatross]

I get irked at times and may grimace, but no I don't get offended or annoyed for more than a few seconds or presume to know the motive (like your example "mocked" or thoughtless) of why people say what they say.

I think I would myth bust why you feel or want people to understand the depth of how you've personally been affected. Often times, they are their priority, not you.

When you're feeling annoyed or offended... it's more about you than it is about them.

 

[Lucycat]

In real life if people are dismissive or misusing the term PTSD, then I put it down to ignorance. However when I hear people who I think should know better - then I am offended. That would include TV presenters, the media in general and this forum. I excuse new members and those who are seeking information on behalf of others. However is someone claims to have PTSD for the last 20 years and then comes out with some trivia like that, then I question everything they have contributed.

I guess what I am saying is that I expect respect for PTSD, from those know.

On the other hand, when I have muttered that I am getting into a blind panic over my visitors arriving, then I have probably offended anyone who is really blind.

Similarly when I have asked someone to repeat themselves for the third time, I get offended when they then say -'are you deaf or what'. I point to my hearing aids!

It is very easy to offend and be offended.

 

[alwaysworkingthruit]

I get irked at times and may grimace, but no I don't get offended or annoyed for more than a few seconds or presume to know the motive (like your example "mocked" or thoughtless) of why people say what they say.

I think I would myth bust why you feel or want people to understand the depth of how you've personally been affected. Often times, they are their priority, not you.

When you're feeling annoyed or offended... it's more about you than it is about them.

Yes, this! You sound very much like my therapist. Ha ha. I dont know why I get so (briefly) offended. I mean it certainly provokes anger from me, but I cant control the ignorance of others-only my own reaction .
Just wondering if I'm off base with reacting, to begin with.

 

[Sideways]

Just wondering if I'm off base with reacting, to begin with.

Feeling offended, and then reacting: two completely seperate things.

Feeling offended or invalidated? Totally legitimate and understandable. You noticed that you felt that way, which is awesome insight. Not everyone can do that.

Having that emotional reaction and doing something about it? Isn’t necessary. Especially if you have the skill and insight to notice your emotions coming and going like that.

You don’t have to react just because you’ve had a legitimate emotional reaction to something a person has said. You don’t have to react in order to justify your feelings, or to make them valid. And you absolutely don’t have to educate every douche you cross paths with!

Sometimes we get offended at things people say. Makes us human;)

 

[frogthroat]

I think when people are frightened by something they don't understand they try to undermine it. Unfortunately, this is pretty common with any mental health condition.
Then there's the opposite side where you have vulnerable people using an undiagnosed mental illness as part of their quirky persona. You see often in the media's portrayal of conditions like schizophrenia or teens online. I even watched a supposedly factual video about depression where the narrator claimed "people with depression feel more than other people do." Lol that's not true at all.
You have people that aren't really mentally ill pretending to be, people that are mentally ill that use their diagnosis to define who they are as a whole, and you have media that romanticizes it and demonizes it. Plus, there's so much misinformation out there of, course everyone is confused.
Have you ever seen that bipolar commercial where the woman is making 1,000 sandwiches? It reminded me of that David Lynch movie. I literally had to laugh because it was so uncomfortable. I felt bad for people with bipolar.
There has to be a better way to represent mental health. When mental illness is represented the way high blood pressure or diabetes is all the fear and nonsense that goes along with it will fade out.