Am I Overexaggerating My Mental Health Problems?

[LLaw]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone else could relate to this.

I've had (what I think are) mental health problems for most of my life- the most extreme including being in the ER. I'm on anti-depressants.

I've been thinking lately that I'm over-exaggerating my issues for attention. I *do* want attention- I want help and I want to feel better. But sometimes I think I'm just telling that to myself so I don't feel so bad for seeking attention. This thought pattern goes round and round and round. I can't decide on a final answer.

I feel like a fraud- like there's nothing wrong with me and that I don't belong on this forum, at a psychologist's office etc.

Like, my issues aren't that big of a deal. I'm not crying everyday. I'm not stuck in my bed. I feel like I don't really deserve help, even though I want it, because I remain composed and calm 95% of the time. I don't know what to do. I want help, but my issues aren't a big enough deal.

Can anyone else on here relate to how I feel?

[missep123]

Hi LLaw!

Thank you for posting and being so open and real about how you are feeling and what you are thinking.

I personally think that however we experience things is completely valid. Everyone's experiences are different and it would be hard to fit into the mould of what it would mean to be dealing with mental health things.

I like attention too - someone showing they care about me really helps.

I don't think you are a fraud! If we think of the things that we go through as a spectrum, there are different things that are going to affect different people, and in different ways.

I hope I have made sense!

Here for you!

[Guest_1643]

yes absolutely

I personally think it's human to at times what attention, to want to be heard.
I thought that about myself many times - that I'm just seeking attention

Although many times I hid my MI from others to avoid negative attention
We need validation

I've heard that we tend to disbelieve compliments and accept/take on criticisms. So they say we need to hear/be exposed to double the number of compliments than critques... we need validation, we need acceptance, we need that because we are fragile innately. I hope u get the attention and respect you deserve - it's okay to want it!

[LLaw]

Thanks for the reply.

I've heard about this too, my mum says 'you'll remember 1 criticism more than 100 compliments.'

even beyond mental health, thats just how humans have evolved- we take something we dont like- whether its scary or it hurts or whatever- and we remember it so we can avoid it. This system worked when we were in the wild avoiding getting killed by tigers or something but in modern times its not as helpful.

sorry for the tangent lol i just find it interesting

[Guest_1643]

hi LLaw - i agree - that is very interesting!

i didn't think of it that way, but ur right it is a protection method

that's a very fair way to think about that - our body trying to keep us safe
And very true in the approches of mindfulness that we don't judge our experiences/thoughts

most of it is in its way, trying to keep us safe, but it just sometimes doesn't work

[M99]

Hi LLaw,

Thanks for sharing with us your thoughts and feelings. I can relate to this as when I was experiencing some mental health issues I told myself the same. I thought I had it better than most people and therefore didn't 'deserve' the help.

In retrospect, I frankly disagree with myself. And that is why it is so important for me to tell you that you are deserving of help and your current issues are valid and important. It is important to attend to them or address them adequately to minimise the further progression of the symptoms.

Take care of yourself and know you are worthy of the help and support you deserve.

Cheers

[LLaw]

Thank you for saying that- i really appreciate it.

[Guest_4643]

Hello LLaw, welcome to the forums.

I don't think you're exaggerating at all. You're still worthy of therapy, if you wish to seek it, and love, kindness, etc. I'm sorry you feel this way. We're here for you. Sorry my response is short, I'm not sure what to say, but I still care.

[LLaw]

Thank you.

i know exactly how you feel- theres a lot of threads I want to reply to I just don't know what to say. thanks for putting in the effort. Just validating how someone feels and saying what you said means a lot.

[Guest_4643]

You're welcome. I agree, I want to reply to threads myself too but I don't know what to say also, like ones about marriages, kids, etc. because I'm not in that position so I have no idea how to respond. I'm glad I could somehow help.