to think it's possible to feel sad or nervous without having Depression/Anxiety?

[MeinNameistMud]

Before anyone bashes me for having no empathy, I have myself been diagnosed with Generalised Anxiety Disorder and have an ongoing prescription for Sertraline and Valium. I obviously believe that Anxiety/Depression are real illnesses and understand how crippling they can be.

BUT I seem to see them being pulled out almost as personality descriptions more and more. Everyone and their dog seems to have some kind of MH issue and it's regularly trotted out as an excuse for anti social behaviour, even on here.
If you're sad, you have depression and should see your GP.
If your nervous about flying, you've probably got an anxiety disorder, perhaps get some meds for that.

Im absolutely all for MH transparency and think there's still a way to go to get these illnesses proper recognition and understand but nowadays it seems almost trendy to self diagnose MH problems, and in my mind is belittling genuine concerns.

AIBU to be sick of people describing every minor problem, or personality traits such as shyness as mental health issues?

This is also including describing rude people as autistic, badly behaved children as having ADHD.

I agree. There is nothing more frustrating to me than people describing feeling a bit down as "depression" or a bit of worry as "anxiety". I strongly feel that it belittles the real illnesses.

I do think at some point most people will feel some level of depression or anxiety, especially when going through terrible life events such as divorce, bereavement, loss of a job etc. But it does seem to be trotted out for everything and anything, i.e. I overheard a colleague saying she was "so depressed" about the crap weather she had on her holiday. Or when people say "i'm so ocd about folding towels/doing the housework/knickers matching bra".

It's a gross misrepresentation of the real illnesses.

I agree too. I also worry generally about medication being over diagnosed for anxiety and depression having witnessed firsthand how this can make some people worse.

I agree. I read some articles on this when I was studying a few years back, and about the massive increase in prescriptions for anti-depressants.

It seems that we losing sight of what life is really like - i.e. it's not all perfect and happy. and also losing the ability to look after ourselves without running for help all the time.

If they're saying they have illnesses of Anxiety and Depression then YANBU. Most people don't.

But if they're saying they have anxiety and depression the emotions then YABU. Most people do.

I think it's silly to give illnesses the same name as feelings. Muddies the waters.

You can feel sad without having depression, or feel anxious about flying without have Anxiety.

People confuse everyday emotions as something serious, and as you say, it can become an excuse for not doing something or for having made bad choices in the past.

Some people just need to have more common sense and resilience.