Under Construction - MHWA Retreat

The extremes are what differentiate 'normal' emotional characteristics between the characteristics of mental illness.
When reading symptoms, sometimes it is easy to find some part of ourselves in the various descriptions of disorders. For example, we all have some narcissistic qualities to at least a small degree. We see it all over Facebook. We might be proud of an accomplishment and flaunt it somewhat and some people might be more gregarious by nature. This doesn't necessarily mean we have a narcissistic disorder.

Also. people face depression at some point due to unfortunate life events. It is also normal to have emotional highs. It verges on mental illness when depression exists for prolonged periods when life is seemingly going well or highs go to the extremes of an invincible-like mania. When these traits interfere with day to day functioning with others and life in general, that is when it becomes more than just a personality trait.

I think it is hard to separate our identity from a diagnosis. Like most of my life, I defined myself by my scars, which is only a part of who I am. The same with mental illness. It is only a part of who we are, but it is so all-consuming. Especially if others know our diagnosis, it is hard to not think they are just seeing us as our diagnosis, rather than a whole person.

Personally, I rarely share with anyone about me ever having any sort of diagnosis. Part of it is well, I don't want it to be the only way I am perceived by them. Maybe I care way too much about how I am perceived by others, but I just don't want that to be the biggest quality that stands out. I mean, I don't want my main identity to be that depressed chick or the chick that was raped. I'd rather put her in the closet and just let them know the part of me that can have a smart ass sense of humor, who is analytical, spiritual, artistic, loves to dance etc.


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