Trivialising

[Theyreeatingthedogs]

Are we trivialising what a mental health problem is? Just read an article on the DM that had a woman complaining that ASOS were making things difficult for her to return an item and closed her account. She claimed "the effect it was having on my mental health". I get it was frustrating and she was angry but are claims like this trivialising real mental health problems?

Well yes
But the DM is writing about it because it’s so daft

No. I think small things can have an effect on your mental health anc well being like toxic friends or a partner who tries to control you or criticise you. But it doesn't mean you then become disabled.

I agree that controlling behaviour and constant criticism can affect mental health but that is not what I was referring to. Do you think having an ASOS account closed affects your mental health?

I agree. I’ve been mentally ill for 40+ years. In that time it has changed from being a guilty secret that I hid at all costs to seemingly almost the fashion for the world and his wife to have mental health issues.

No

And clearly, and thankfully, it is rare enough and ridiculous enough to have made a story in a national newspaper.

No, it really isn't. People are claiming loads of normal, mundane things affect their metal health all the time. The DM wasn't reporting to highlight the mental health claim, it was just a small mention.

www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-14850623/Ive-banned-Asos-set-petition-returns-policy-changed.html

Who are these “people”… people in your life? Or mumsnetters?

I think it has become a lazy shorthand for being upset, disappointed or annoyed with normal life events. Just like anyone telling a lie or disagreeing is now gaslighting or being coercively controlling, being a bit distracted or disorgansied is ADHD and being nasty or rude is narcissistic.

I agree

but I don’t know anyone at all in RL who even refers to their mental health. Ever.

Yes family and friends and myself… we have been through tough times, divorce, bereavement but no one ever talks about having mental health crisis.

So I’m wondering who are all these “people”

I only ever encounter there then on mumsnet and in the media

Ones like the woman in the story. There are loads of them complaining that a little upset "is affecting my mental health.". They do exist you know, even if you have not met them "IRL".

So in the media and on mumsnet

but no one in your RL?

I don't know anyone stupid enough to claim that minor irritations in normal life are "affecting their mental health". Doesn't mean it doesn't go on. Why do you think I need to have experienced someone saying it personally?

Goodness you sound as though you’re on knife edge

I was enquiring whether this was personal al experience you had with people in your life, and you have confirmed - it isn’t. So…. It was a question and answer exchange.

the op just gave the impression that in rl you had people in your life left,
right and centre wailing about their mental health because of a parking ticket kind of scenario!

A knife edge? My OP clearly referred to the DM. I have no idea why you would infer from that that I had any personal contact with these people.

People are claiming loads of normal, mundane things affect their metal health all the time.

and I was just asking whether these “people” are people you have encountered in RL or on SM and The media.

You confirmed the latter.

All good 💐