As someone with diagnosed mental illness and a degree in Psychology, I feel I can add something to this discussion.
My personal experience growing up was difficult. As a middle age adult, I have developed skills that make my life seem pretty normal. I no longer need psychiatric medication. One thing I tell my kids that I didn't understand when I was young is, much of what you feel and experience is the human condition. We all feel depressed, anxious, behave neurotically at times etc.. it's a matter of degree. Does it keep you from having normal relationships, a job, being financially responsible? The problem with this is there are many people I have worked with or known who couldn't keep relationship's or a job but were not mentally ill.
I would have been diagnosed on the spectrum had been born a couple decades later. My issues were blamed on being left handed, being "right brained".
I think when we live in a society where we have time to spend on social media sharing our mental health challenges in lieu of just trying to find food and shelter, it's a sign of advancement.
I am also hopeful that the current pattern of glorifying illness and sympathy seeking behavior will diminish as we all become comfortable talking about it.
I would have been diagnosed on the spectrum had been born a couple decades later. My issues were blamed on being left handed, being "right brained".
I think when we live in a society where we have time to spend on social media sharing our mental health challenges in lieu of just trying to find food and shelter, it's a sign of advancement. I am also hopeful that the current pattern of glorifying illness and sympathy seeking behavior will diminish as we all become comfortable talking about it.