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

[TruthSeeker]

Making jokes about what is different or is believed to be different is human nature.
We have all done it at one time or another.
If you need to create extra stress in your life, continue to ruminate, loop, find fault. It really isn’t helping you feel better. The world I’m finding is not always thoughtful, fair or kind. This is where developing resilience allows us to deal better in the real world (simply stated - letting go of unnecessary sh!t can help you to stop dwelling on the little stuff in life you can’t control and in doing so you will better maintain your emotional balance). Good luck!

 

[Karolina12]

I see this at work a lot where people poke fun at their own reactions, saying they must have multiple personalities when they can’t keep up with things or exclaiming PTSD when they are reminded of a previous challenging work scenario. I just don’t think it’s funny or clever so I don’t laugh. With the former comment I have snarky thoughts like ‘you’re showing your age.’ ? So I may smile in amusement.

I did get irked when a former friend and work colleague went on a rant on how he didn’t believe in long term medication for mental health concerns. At the time I was on multiple medications for bipolar. I didn’t say anything. Then years later he is very open about panic attacks, anti-anxiety benzodiazepines use, and his own alcoholism as a result of mental health concerns. I kind of wonder how he feels about it now. I assume he was uncomfortable with his own issues in the first scenario. . . So sometimes it may be people not wanting to confront their own stuff.

 

[Ronin]

I care if they have any power over me in that regard, either to force me into anything or keep me from (like with meds).

If not, no damns.

And appropriating language, I mostly care if it is hurting someone else around, or someone I care for very much. For myself, I don’t mind.

I mind hate / things likely to escalate, but not random stupid. Just happy to have counters to it, as in knowing why it’s off & having the power to not be silent. Objecting or not being within my choice, being allowed and given choice at all.

 

[TruthSeeker]

I see this at work a lot where people poke fun at their own reactions, saying they must have multiple personalities when they can’t keep up with things or exclaiming PTSD when they are reminded of a previous challenging work scenario. I just don’t think it’s funny or clever so I don’t laugh. With the former comment I have snarky thoughts like ‘you’re showing your age.’ ? So I may smile in amusement.

I did get irked when a former friend and work colleague went on a rant on how he didn’t believe in long term medication for mental health concerns. At the time I was on multiple medications for bipolar. I didn’t say anything. Then years later he is very open about panic attacks, anti-anxiety benzodiazepines use, and his own alcoholism as a result of mental health concerns. I kind of wonder how he feels about it now. I assume he was uncomfortable with his own issues in the first scenario. . . So sometimes it may be people not wanting to confront their own stuff.

@Karolina12 I think ignoring this kind of thing shows growth and resilience, making room to remember more pleasant things. I used to get quite perturbed over seizure jokes-because I have epilepsy and have dealt w it from younger years to now and the awful med effects. Yep- I wasted days when some ignorant fool told a seizure joke describing a full blown seizure, and I took it personally even though they didn’t know I had to deal with it daily, and their comment wasn’t directed at me-lost a lot of time being irritated over it, too cause they “should have know better than to be ignorant and talk that way and hurt my feelings!” I thought. Most of us don’t realize an ignorant comment in the moment when we make one cause we are human and make mistakes- some people weren’t taught by their parents- the value of kindness and consideration. Most of us have screwed up and been insensitive.

Also if someone hasn’t been diagnosed w mental disorder- they really are ignorant- because society says it is “bad” in a vague hands off sort of way so poking fun is a human thing folks do with uncomfortable subjects.

Judging what others should do or say because they should know better, against what you would do or say because you do know better only creates a messed up soup sandwich crowded with pissy emotions in our headspace! I’m trying to vanquish unnecessary stuff to keep stressors down and save room for more positive memories.

 

[PointlessExistence]

It doesn't bother me. There's no negative intent in it at all.

 

[Sideways]

It’s interesting to me how this dynamic is changing. Some people call it ‘political correctness’, but we’re definitely going through a period where being allowed to speak up when something offends you is being encouraged. For a lot of minority groups, this has made the world a much more compassionate space. And that’s a good thing.

But one of the spin-offs from that is that there’s a mirroring pressure to speak up when something inappropriate or inconsiderate is said. We see this a lot on social media platforms where people get outraged at things that might have offended a particular social group, regardless of whether anyone in that group is actually offended. Like when something offensive is said, there’s almost become an ethical obligation to point out, “Hey, that’s not appropriate.”

Being allowed to speak up? Totally liberating. But it doesn’t mean you have to. Do whatever is right for you in the moment.

 

[Deanna]

Being allowed to speak up? Totally liberating. But it doesn’t mean you have to. Do whatever is right for you in the moment

True! I guess we could start a #METOO movement! Seriously? The PTSD reply doesn't really bother me because I'm medicated and my psychiatrist said I was leaning to Bipolar as well ( He's new) So, he has a different opinion.. If I had felt the need to say anything to the initial PTSD comment, I would have said, Try having it."

 

[HealingInProcess]

I chalk it up to ignorance.

 

[TruthSeeker]

It’s interesting to me how this dynamic is changing. Some people call it ‘political correctness’, but we’re definitely going through a period where being allowed to speak up when something offends you is being encouraged. For a lot of minority groups, this has made the world a much more compassionate space. And that’s a good thing.

But one of the spin-offs from that is that there’s a mirroring pressure to speak up when something inappropriate or inconsiderate is said. We see this a lot on social media platforms where people get outraged at things that might have offended a particular social group, regardless of whether anyone in that group is actually offended. Like when something offensive is said, there’s almost become an ethical obligation to point out, “Hey, that’s not appropriate.”

Being allowed to speak up? Totally liberating. But it doesn’t mean you have to. Do whatever is right for you in the moment.

Social media and forums also allow people to say all those things they might not say to their face. People often behave differently in chat rooms because of anonymity. You can crap on someone, tell them off, get a me user name and do it to someone else. Makes for a real non authentic way to communicate- like wearing a mask to a social event.

 

[The Albatross]

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

I think it's more what you're scanning people and situations for and it's indicative that it's negative rather than neutral or positive. When you're offended or angry or annoyed at someone else what are you missing out on because often the bias will rob you or cause you to miss something in the experience that can be better.

 

[Mach123]

The unafflicted always make jokes at the expense of the afflicted. Competitiveness and one upmanship make no distinctions.

The anemone folds up at the brush of the current.

Sometimes I fold up like that, sometimes I don't.

 

[The Albatross]

The anemone folds up at the brush of the current.

The anemone is an invertebrate, mammals have a spine.