Removing the stigma means being more open to talking about the challenges of living with mental illness without shame. We can't make a difference by silencing people we don’t agree with. Pop Culture Trends and the Romanticization of Mental Illness It makes people think it’s something that can be “fixed.”. The media has been cited as being particularly awful in creating this distorted image of mental health that sometimes is somehow appealing to people and makes people covet a mental health disorder because of its apparent trendiness ( Mental … Romanticizing it downplays the struggles of those who have to live with mental illnesses and makes it harder for them to be taken seriously and get help. The Romanticization of Mental Illness in Media and Culture A huge component of the widespread romanticization is the media that we constantly consume. Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860. Instead, they start tainted conversations and tell stories which are most likely not going to play out in … Being in depression, experiencing anxiety, having bipolar disorder, and even blading the arm has emerged to be “beautiful”, unique, and cool. avoid the manic-pixie-dream girl/boy, beautiful, tragic, rebel, non-conformist trope . The consequences of romanticizing mental illnesses This attitude doesn’t always—and many times does not—lead to suicide or any such “obvious” signs. The media’s blatant romanticization of mental disorders normalizes mental illness and does nothing at all for its prevention. The Portrayal of Mental Health in Literature – DLS NM Tumblr, blogs, Pinterest, movies, and even retail stores all contribute to this fetishism, and something needs to change. Although characters portrayed with mental illness have progressed from the Victorian era, more novels with believable and real protagonists need to be authored, says writer, poet and activist Jhilmil Breckenridge. It’s unrealistic that mental health could be patched up in just a few pages. It is not uncommon to see incendiary portrayals in the media garner a buzz, and that might be a motive for writing such shallow … The Romanticizing of Mental Illness Stigmatizes Mental Health That people with mental illness are defined by their mental illness. If results are to be obtained, it needs to be a compassionate and sensitive discussion. While this destigmatization of mental health is a huge step forward, it has also resulted in a new problem: the romanticization of mental illness. For many, the internet has become a way to cope with their mental illness and this has allowed more open discourse on subjects such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. Romanticizing Mental Illnesses - Shadow's Edge All in all, mental illness has been romanticized for a long time, but it's never as beautiful as many movies, TV shows, songs, or even books portray it to be. For most of us, information that we receive is from what we see online, on television or through print, where we may automatically assume it to be true. In summary, romanticization is a complex issue. Never talking and keeping it to oneself does not add to a mysteriously beautiful persona. Why Are We Romanticising Mental Illness On Social Media?