Romanticizing Depression

Romanticize: verb

gerund or present participle: romanticizing                                                                                 1.deal with or describe in an idealized or unrealistic fashion; make (something) seem better or more appealing than it really is.

Depression; noun

‘…depression is the inability to construct a future…’  ~Rollo May.

In recent years, there has been a concerning trend among the present generation—romanticizing depression. Conversations around mental health issues are crucial now more than ever, because of rising cases of depression especially among young people. But it would be naive to ignore the fact that it has become an aesthetic. From music to movies to literature, the line between awareness and just plain glorification is blurred. Idealizing depression is having serious consequences. Pop culture and the internet in general has made it seem cool to be depressed. And while we appreciate the awareness that has been brought about by the same, it is having an equally negative effect. Here are some of the reasons that have led to this and why it’s a serious issue that needs to be addressed;

1.The Allure of Tragedy:

Romanticizing depression often stems from a misguided perception that embracing pain and sadness adds depth and authenticity to one’s character. You want to be a part of something, part of a community and for some, it doesn’t matter what that community is. I’m not saying that people aren’t actually going through some things. I’m just saying that it’s important to evaluate where it’s stemming from. And sometimes, it’s unconscious…what you’re exposed to is inevitably what you become. So if suddenly, everyone on the internet is struggling with their mental health then you unconsciously start to too. It’s important to recognize that this inclination can be a misguided coping mechanism, as individuals seek validation or a sense of belonging through shared struggles. However, it ultimately contributes to a distorted view of mental health, making it more abstract, more artificial even. Like having a Stanley cup or a Marc Jacobs tote bag.

2. Misrepresentation in Media:

Movies, TV shows, and literature sometimes depict characters with mental health issues as enigmatic, tortured souls, perpetuating the idea that depression is a hallmark of artistic brilliance. From famous artists like Vincent Van Gogh or historical geniuses like Einstein, it trivializes the real struggles people. It also fosters an environment where mental health issues are seen as a prerequisite for creativity. Like you have to be mentally struggling to achieve artistic greatness. And genius has always been associated with insanity which is not necessarily a good thing. In one of the books I’ve read, and I really can’t remember which one, the author talks about this. She talks about how people only like reading the books she writes about pain and depression. And she hates herself for it, for being able to beautifully express struggle and loss, for feeling like she is only worth what she goes through.

3.The ‘me too’ aesthetic.

Social media platforms, while serving as valuable spaces for dialogue, can sometimes become echo chambers where the severity of mental health struggles is downplayed. Because if everyone has depression or ADHD or OCD or any number of mental struggles, then it’s a thing. And if it’s a thing, it’s not that serious. Posts glorifying self-destructive behaviors or presenting depression as a mere aesthetic can inadvertently normalize unhealthy coping mechanisms. Undoubtedly, social media has been one of the most important tools in dealing with mental health issues. It has led to free mental health platforms and a lot of information on the same. But we also can’t ignore less and less people actually seeking help and more and more people wanting to have a mental health issue. Almost everybody wants to ‘Oh you have that…me too’. It makes it really hard to tell apart who really needs help and who doesn’t. The perfect example of this is the movie ‘Not Okay’. If you haven’t already watched this, you need to. Zoey Dutch acts as a girl who fakes a trip to Paris to update her social media presence. She does it to seem interesting. A terrifying incident takes place in the real world, and to keep up with the lie, she pretends to have gone through it too. She actually fakes having post-traumatic stress disorder. I think the very purpose of the movie was to bring the whole romanticizing issue into light.

4.Not seeking help.

Romanticizing depression can create a barrier to seeking help. People with serious issues may be hesitant to reach out for fear of losing the perceived depth that comes with their struggles. This delay in seeking professional help can significantly impact recovery and exacerbate the long-term effects of mental health issues. Another effect related to this is self-diagnosing and taking advice from non-professionals. Now, I’m not saying that some of the information on the internet isn’t valid, I’m just saying most of it isn’t. Some people do give actual advice on what to do and when and where to seek help. But there are all kinds of people on the internet. Anyone with a good Wi-Fi connection can post something about literally anything. And some of this information doesn’t help at all. Especially self-diagnosis because you’ll see someone talk about something like ‘signs that you have OCD’. And you’ll click it and watch it and think ‘maybe I do have Obsessive Compulsive Disorder’, and you really don’t. You just like arranging things.

5.The Danger of Normalizing Pain:

By romanticizing depression, society risks normalizing pain and suffering. If it’s normal, then you don’t need to bring it up. It’s like telling people you shed a tooth when you were 7. It’s not news to anyone. And pretty soon, mental health issues will be like shedding a tooth if we’re not careful. This normalization can contribute to a culture where individuals feel compelled to hide their struggles. It will lead to people being afraid to talk about issues because they either won’t be taken seriously or they will be dismissed. They will pretend they are okay for fear of being told something like, ‘everybody’s going through the same thing and so should you.’

To address this issue, it’s crucial to foster a culture that encourages genuine dialogue about mental health. This involves promoting realistic portrayals of mental health struggles, emphasizing the importance of seeking professional help, and debunking myths that equate suffering with authenticity.

Raising awareness about mental health is undoubtedly important. However, romanticizing depression does a disservice to those who genuinely struggle with mental health issues. By dismantling these misconceptions, society can create a more compassionate and informed approach to mental health. An approach that encourages open dialogue, when and where to seek help and supports individuals on their journey towards genuine well-being.