For a young person struggling, a psychiatric diagnosis can be a lifeline, but young people are romanticizing them on social media and elsewhere. Some diagnoses are “cool” and “trendy.” They’re memes.
I love the idea that we are not our diagnoses, and the movement toward focusing on recovery. It's been that way in the substance use disorder world for a while - some of us say we are recovering, even though it's been years since we've had a drink, for example. It's a reminder that it's a journey. Thank you.
I thought you'd end this chapter with Sweets learning how to open the door, but you ended it with a different type of hope/progress.
Here's a movie clip I thought of after reading this. Substitute mental illness for wilderness. (great movie, The Edge)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PRZW0C6-ms
I'll check it out!
Interesting edits between audio and the written piece. Thank you.
Thank you for the close reading!
I love the idea that we are not our diagnoses, and the movement toward focusing on recovery. It's been that way in the substance use disorder world for a while - some of us say we are recovering, even though it's been years since we've had a drink, for example. It's a reminder that it's a journey. Thank you.