Part 1: Navigating and Understanding the Landscape of Common Mental Health Disorders Before Offering Advice
In recent years, there has been a significant shift in societal attitudes towards mental health, with increased awareness and destigmatization efforts encouraging individuals to speak up about their struggles. While this progress is undoubtedly positive, a perilous trend exists in the proliferation of well-meaning but uninformed advice from non-professionals, which has littered almost every social media channel and platform. While intentions may be pure, the consequences of offering mental health guidance without expertise can be detrimental. It's crucial to recognize the potential harm caused by such actions and advocate for responsible discourse surrounding mental health challenges.
Since the decline of the economy, low wages, high unemployment, mass layoffs, trauma induced by the pandemic, and the post-Covid malaise being suffered by many individuals, it is unquestionable that people have taken to a myriad of platforms not so much to share their mental health challenges but to offer advice and their points of view on what to do and not do.
Offering unsolicited, misinformed, and misguided advice to treat mental health challenges is dangerous.
One of the most prevalent issues stemming from unqualified advice-giving is the oversimplification of complex mental health conditions. Mental illnesses are multifaceted and deeply personal experiences, often requiring professional intervention tailored to the individual. Offering generic solutions or platitudes can trivialize the severity of these conditions and undermine the importance of seeking professional help. Moreover, individuals grappling with mental health challenges may feel invalidated or misunderstood when met with oversimplified advice, exacerbating feelings of isolation and inadequacy.
The repercussions of offering misguided advice or withholding support can be devastating, with far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the individual. I have witnessed firsthand the toll that untreated mental illness can take on families and friendships, with fatal or near-fatal outcomes tearing apart the very fabric of communities. In the face of such profound loss, it becomes abundantly clear that navigating mental health support requires a delicate understanding of the complexities involved.
But let's take a step back. What does having a mental illness mean? You know, the uncomfortable, intrusive, and arguably embarrassing question on nearly all employment forms?
According to the Mental Health Foundation, mental illness encompasses a range of conditions, most commonly mood, cognition, and behavior disorders, often hindering individuals' ability to connect with others and carry out daily tasks. These maladies, among others, can significantly disrupt one's quality of life. They include:
Depression
Bipolar disorder
Schizophrenia
Anxiety disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Phobias
Anxiety disorders stand as the most prevalent form of mental illness in the United States, impacting approximately 50 million adults annually (19.86%), 46 % of teenagers, and 13% of children (under the age of 17), closely followed by mood disorders affecting 9.7% of the population (1). Yet, only 20% indicate they are seeking mental health support consistently when needed, according to research findings from the nonprofit Transamerica Institute.
The three top-diagnosed mental disorders are anxiety disorders, major depression, and bipolar disorder.
Among the myriad mental health challenges suffered by individuals, these three are faced most commonly:
Anxiety Disorders: Anxiety disorders are treatable, but only about 37% of those affected receive treatment (2). Many people with anxiety are also diagnosed with depression. Symptoms include excessive worrying, feeling restless, tiredness, tense muscles, trouble sleeping, and panic attacks. Only a medical professional can diagnose anxiety, usually after a physical exam.
Major Depressive Disorder (MDD): Major depressive disorder is the top cause of disability among Americans aged 15 to 44, more common in women. Symptoms include feeling sad, losing interest in things you used to enjoy, changes in weight, appetite, and sleep, fatigue, and feelings of worthlessness (2). Diagnosis requires consulting with a medical provider.
Bipolar Disorder: Bipolar disorder affects both genders equally, often diagnosed around age 25 but can develop later. Those with bipolar disorder experience manic episodes with extreme changes in mood and behavior, including high energy levels or unusual sleep patterns (2). Diagnosis typically involves a physical exam, psychiatric evaluation, and tracking mood over time.
Other symptoms associated with mental illness can vary widely depending on the specific disorder. However, some commonly experienced signs include withdrawal from social activities, emotional numbness, difficulty concentrating, self-harming behaviors, detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia, or hallucinations (3). These manifestations highlight the diverse and often debilitating nature of mental health challenges.
Consequently, the dissemination of uninformed advice can perpetuate harmful misconceptions about mental health. Misinformation and stereotypes surrounding mental illnesses already pervade society, contributing to stigma and preventing individuals from seeking the help they need. When unqualified individuals perpetuate these misconceptions through well-meaning but misguided advice, they inadvertently reinforce damaging attitudes and hinder progress toward destigmatization.
Another significant concern is the potential for exacerbating existing mental health issues. Well-intentioned encouragement from non-professionals, without practical guidance or access to resources, may worsen an individual's mental state. Without proper support or knowledge, individuals offering advice may unintentionally trigger distressing emotions or provide misguided and often ineffectual coping mechanisms, potentially leading to further distress or crisis.
How does this affect you, specifically the advisor? Dispensing mental health advice without expertise can put undue pressure on the advisor and recipient. Non-professionals may feel compelled to provide solutions beyond their understanding or comfort level, leading to feelings of inadequacy or guilt if their advice proves ineffective, harmful, or, worse, fatal. Conversely, individuals seeking guidance may feel obligated to heed well-intentioned but uninformed suggestions, even if they conflict with their instincts or magnify their struggles.
Fostering a culture of responsible discourse surrounding mental health is imperative.
My intention is to convey a gentle reminder: I wholeheartedly support and encourage individuals to share their experiences authentically. However, it's crucial to do so while recognizing the boundaries of our expertise, especially if we are not medical professionals specializing in mental health. Rather than offering unsolicited advice, such as "take a break," talk to someone," or "if you don't ask for help, we can't help you," emphasizing active listening, empathy, and validation can create a supportive environment conducive to healing and growth.
Additionally, promoting awareness of available mental health resources is essential in mitigating the risks associated with unqualified advice-giving. Encouraging individuals to seek professional help and providing information about accessible support networks, hotlines, and therapy options can empower those struggling with mental health challenges to take proactive steps toward recovery. Or go a step further and instead offer to help research available resources or accompany individuals to appointments to help them take proactive steps towards recovery at their own pace.
Ultimately, while the intention behind offering mental health advice may be well-meaning, it is crucial to recognize the potential harm caused by dispensing guidance without expertise. By acknowledging the limitations of unsolicited advice-giving, we can create a more compassionate and inclusive community where individuals feel empowered to seek the help they need when they're ready. Let us tread carefully, mindful of the complexities of mental illness, and advocate for informed support systems that prioritize the well-being of all.
Next week, we'll discuss how our actions and words can profoundly affect vulnerable people, and the results may not be what we expected.
1. Mental Health Foundation and Mental Health America
2. Anxiety and Depression Association of America
3. Mayo Clinic
If you do not feel comfortable using mental health assistance programs at work, are currently unemployed without access to programs, or are not sure where to start, below are 10 Mental Health Resources (U.S.) that may be helpful in some way:
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (National Suicide Prevention Lifeline)
Mental Health America
The Trevor Project
https://www.thetrevorproject.org/resources/
Happify
Headspace
Talkspace
Cerebral
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741
https://www.crisistextline.org/
Moodfit