Expressing Mental Health Vulnerability – Why It's Important

Where vulnerability is often seen as a weakness, Karl Weick strongly disagrees. He argues that uncertainties are meant to be shared, defining leadership as "the legitimisation of doubt".” Thus, this blog, by simply existing, is doing more to break the stigma and stereotypes that plague mental health vulnerability.

The question: Does discussing mental health make you vulnerable, in itself, is a fundamentally flawed one because it implies being vulnerable is a wrong thing to be.

The idea is that the more it's discussed, the more the unknown factors lessen. Misinformations are cut down, and with the assimilation of cold, hard facts, the stigma and stereotypes also wither away with no foundation. By not discussing mental health-related issues, we are essentially creating a breeding ground for more trauma.

Like this blog, Paul Thomas has brought the discussion to the forefront where our uncertainties and insecurities often shy away by simply writing the paper so aptly named "Health is wisely sharing vulnerability".

The belief that discussing mental health equates to weakness is a severely harmful misconception. We would not have these countless types of research if there weren't any sample populations from which to glean data. By not discussing ‘taboo subjects’ like mental health, sex or reproductive health, we limit ourselves to a narrow view of the world. With this comes a severe lack of legitimate information. And in the medical world, a lack of information or horror of horrors, misinformation often means death.

Vulnerability is a nuanced concept that requires gentle care and coaxing. It's a personal experience to expose to the world, but it's the responsibility of those on the receiving end to ensure that this brave act is rewarded with kindness and acceptance. In that way, vulnerability is a group effort. It's a community saying: We are here for each other.

Funnily enough, this makes vulnerability quite the opposite of weakness.

As we said, one of the biggest instigators of stigma is the lack of information or misinformation. So here we are, trying to nip that in the bud.

What you first need to understand is that mental health is not just about the absence of a mental illness but also about our ability to cope with good ol' life's challenges, build healthy long-term relationships instead of messy situations, and contribute to our community by having a well-rounded life.

Some common conditions that are heavily misunderstood and misrepresented include:

• Depression: It is a mood disorder that exhibits persistent sadness, loss of interest, and change in appetite or sleep.

• Anxiety: Another common mood disorder that makes the sufferer feel excessive worry and fear that interferes with their daily life and makes it hard to be a functioning member of society.

• Bipolar disorder: One of the most stigmatized illnesses since it has jarring periods of mania and depression, both of which are felt and expressed in the extremes.

• Schizophrenia: A disorder that affects thoughts, emotions, and behavior. It separates the sufferer from reality, inducing hallucinations and severe bouts of paranoia.

• Dissociative disorders: It involve disconnection from one's thoughts, memories, surroundings, identity, and even one's sense of self.

While there has been a lot of progress in reducing the social stigma around mental health, some conditions still are discriminated against and feared. Anywhere from being called "lazy" or "useless" to a study in 2018 proving that almost 30% out of the thousand participants held the notion that weak personalities caused depression. The range is insane and no less debilitating for those who suffer.

Not to mention the disorders that make the sufferer and their loved ones vulnerable to both physical and mental damage end up being even more ostracised. This can lead to isolation, discrimination, and a reluctance to get the help they so badly need. Which, of course, is entirely counterproductive.

Some of the more stigmatized disorders are:

Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders: Misconceptions about violence and unpredictability often surround these conditions. Many studies have even explored the severe self-stigma that is prevalent in patients with psychotic disorders, which makes them anticipate rejection and repress or hide away their more "dangerous" symptoms.

BPD and other personality disorders: People with Borderline Personality Disorder are often stigmatized as manipulative or attention-seeking. Their supposed disingenuous interactions are frequently scrutinized, and their credibility is questioned, so much so that even clinicians and nurses fall into this trap of stereotypes.

The label itself becomes a bomb waiting to explode and interferes with any progress that the patient works towards. Even the diagnosis of having one is controversial, and they are often even encouraged to isolate "for their own good and others'".

Dissociative disorders: A celebrity, in its own regard, with dissociative disorders needs their own blog to fully explain the depth of their stigmatization. Due to the complex nature of the disorder, many doctors are not even taught about it because their legitimization and symptoms have been questioned in studies as far back as 1988. They have been overblown and misunderstood too many times to count because of many things (we're looking at your movies with harmful exaggeration of the disorder!)

Paul Thomas's statement, "Showing vulnerability may at times be valuable, but it does need to be done wisely—in an invited and reciprocal way that harmonizes with what others are doing", has got us thinking about how social media is an excellent example of his idea.

Social media has undoubtedly opened up a space for mental health discussions, but it's important to approach vulnerability with caution. Vulnerability, though far from being a weakness, CAN be used as such. It essentially is something near and dear to our hearts and must be handled in a way that both protects us and gets the point across. Even though sharing your experiences can be empowering, it's essential to be mindful of the potential consequences.

• The Benefits of Sharing Your Story

It goes against every stereotype and helps you connect more with people. Presenting peer support, where sharing your trauma or experiences can prove quite helpful in processing them without feeling alone, eliminates quite a number of issues, as posed by the founder of Intentional Peer Support, Shery Mead, including unequal power dynamics in traditional clinical settings and "understanding the experience not in a clinical pathology way but as understandable reactions to trauma."

Quick clarification to our GenZ readers: Instagram reels are not the reliable source for learning politically correct terms! Case in point, "peer support" and "trauma bonding" are most definitely not the same. The latter refers to the almost Stockholm syndrome-like connection that is between the perpetrator and the victim. At the same time, the former is about two individuals with similar traumas like alcoholism or abuse discussing with each other and gaining support through the act itself.

It also significantly reduces the stigma. By sharing mental health experiences with a broader audience, you contribute to normalizing conversations and challenging negative stereotypes.

• The Risks of Oversharing

Unfortunately, it can't all be rainbows and glitters. Mainly due to their preference for anonymity and close to non-existent face-to-face contact, online spaces can be filled with negativity and judgment. Sharing personal struggles can expose you to hurtful comments and criticism. It can lead to severe regression, as being rejected is a common trigger for many mental illnesses.

You also need to think about the huge privacy issues. Your digital footprint is quite literally the Eye of Sauron. It's fairly safe if it's a toothless picture of you on your aunt's Facebook, but actual medical records or, even worse, your triggers, being accessible to anyone, is not a joking matter.

If we're talking about social media, it's hard not to mention how it can distort the perception of reality, leading to comparisons and feelings of inadequacy. Somewhere around the thousandth swipe, you forget that people often only share their highlights online. Being aware that people aren't as one-dimensional as they present themselves on social media is an important trait to develop, even for casual use.

Of course, that brings us to one of the very things that can cause mental illnesses by itself - seeking validation. It's easy to fall into the trap of likes, comments, and shares equating to your worth. Especially for people who are already struggling, it can create unhealthy dependencies and exacerbate mental health issues. A study conducted among Iranian adolescents showed that anxiety, attention-seeking and social media addiction were proportional to the levels of oversharing.

It's essential to weigh the potential benefits and risks before sharing personal experiences on social media. Consider your reasons for sharing and the support system you have in place. If you're struggling with your mental health, prioritize seeking support from trusted friends, family, or mental health professionals. Your snap streak can wait!

The idea that vulnerable equals bad has to have come from the systemic level for it to be this widespread and normalised. The pressure to appear strong is deeply ingrained in many societies, often stemming from traditional gender roles and cultural expectations. And we do say "appear strong" because, for some reason, they were self-aware enough to realise that it's just an image but not enough to understand the ramifications of living a farce.

• Gender Roles and Societal Expectations

Male Stereotypes: Men are often expected to be the "breadwinners" and "protectors," embodying strength and resilience. Expressing vulnerability or seeking help can be seen as a weakness, contradicting these societal norms. The funny thing is that most of their arguments stem from comparing animal behaviour to that of humans. The famously wrong Alpha Wolf phenomenon is still widely used even after the author, Dr Dave Mech, disproves his study.

Female Stereotypes: While women are often "allowed" a more comprehensive range of emotional expression, there's still a pressure to be "strong" and "independent" and roar like Katy Perry did in that one song. Showing vulnerability can be perceived as a sign of weakness or incompetence.

If you look at most of the derogatory or insulting words, they are blatantly sexist by directly referring to a woman or her reproductive parts. This perpetuates the harmful idea that everything that is a woman is inherently considered weak. Ergo, being weak is a womanly thing to do. Interestingly enough, using these gendered insults on anyone, irrespective of their gender, is intended to make them feel emasculated, further proving that masculine equals power and strength while feminine equals weak.

Marginalized communities get a bonus layer of vulnerability: Individuals from marginalized communities, such as the LGBTQIA+ community, often face additional pressures to appear strong in the face of rejection and resilient to public humiliation. They struggle with discrimination, prejudice, and rejection every day, making it even harder to open up about their mental health.

Recognizing that everyone has the right to experience and express their emotions, regardless of their gender, sexual orientation, or other identities, is essential to banish the stereotypes. By creating safe and inclusive spaces, we can welcome individuals from all walks of life to prioritise their mental well-being.

• Fear of Rejection and Isolation

Being judged or rejected for showing vulnerability can be paralyzing for many. People might worry about being seen as "weak," "crazy," or "attention-seeking." This fear can lead to being socially shunned and reluctant to seek help when needed.

By challenging these societal pressures and creating a culture where it's okay to not be OK, we help foster a more supportive and inclusive environment for everyone.

The Power of Open Conversation

The whole point of this is to give everyone the space to exercise their right to speak. Sharing mental health experiences can be incredibly liberating. It creates a sense of community for those who are struggling. By opening up, we normalize conversations about mental health, making it easier for others to do the same.

Here are some ways you can help spread the awareness about mental health:

• Educate yourself: If you're still here reading, you're already on the right path. If you don't know about a mental health condition, learn about it and the impact it can have on people's lives. Both are important to get the whole picture.

• Use inclusive language: Avoid stigmatizing or derogatory terms and focus on using person-first language (e.g., "person with depression" instead of "depressed person").

• Seek support: If you're struggling with your mental health, don't hesitate to reach out to your friends, family, or your doctors for support. The prospect of rejection is quite daunting, but when it comes to your health, it's always better to speak out than remain silent.

Archaeologists found a 15,000-year-old fractured and healed femur, which took almost six weeks to fully heal without the comforts of today. Anthropologist Margaret Mead considers this the first sign of civilization—the act of caring.

We'll get honest with you. Sharing your mental health journey can be like eating nuts and bolts. The taste is subpar, and whether it's rusted or brand new makes little to no difference. It's a courageous thing to do, and brave things are notoriously difficult.

But there is a side to sharing that gives you what any human wants: liberation—the freedom to be and speak who you are. Because you are both your struggles and your triumphs. By sharing your mental health struggles, you can inspire others to seek help, challenge misconceptions, and create a more supportive environment.

Every unabashed discussion is another way of loudly proclaiming: You're not alone in this. We're all here with you. Even though we are vulnerable, we're together. This femur will heal, no matter what, through our collective effort.