There is a lot of misunderstanding out there about different mental health disorders.
Especially when these disorders are misrepresented in TV and movies, right?
One example is Antisocial Personality Disorder.
People with this diagnosis can be described as sociopaths, but not psychopaths, as some people assume.
The two may share some traits, like recklessness and impulsiveness, but Antisocial Personality Disorder is treatable and doesn’t mean the person is dangerous.
Living with a diagnosis that others are suspicious of can be exhausting, as these 10 people will attest:
1. Pretending to react the way people want you to
You know what’s expected, but having to fake it all the time will really wear you out.
Image credit: Whisper
2. It puts you under a microscope
And suddenly even your family thinks they need to worry about you.
Image credit: Whisper
3. It can be a lot to take in, even for yourself
Because what does a diagnosis really mean, at the end of the day?
Image credit: Whisper
4. Maintaining relationships can be a real challenge
You can’t always give your family what they want and need.
Image credit: Whisper
5. It can be a weird internal dichotomy
You don’t care how they judge you, you just don’t want them to judge you at all.
Image credit: Whisper
6. Finding someone to be with is endlessly frustrating
People tend to stop at the label and not look any deeper.
Image credit: Whisper
7. Fitting into society’s norms is the most exhausting part
It’s never easy to have to pretend all the time.
Image credit: Whisper
8. Dealing with the repercussions of lazy tropes may be the worst part
Forget what you’ve read and seen on TV. A diagnosis doesn’t turn you into a serial killer.
Image credit: Whisper
9. Treatment may be a long hard road
But it’s at least a relief to know that there are treatment options available.
Image credit: Whisper
10. Even though it’s hard, answers are good
A diagnosis is never easy–even ones that make you go, “Oh. That makes sense.”
Image credit: Whisper
Those all make me feel a lot of empathy for people with this diagnosis.
What about you? Does it bring a little clarity to their struggles? Tell us in the comments.
