What gifts do you have???

Question

I'm 13 and everyone else calls these problems but I like to call them gifts because they make us unique. 
I'm a 13 year old girl who is bisexual and has anxiety, depression, dyslexia, and OCD but, I'm very proud to be part of such a unique community.

Accepted Answer

Depression and anxiety. But I definitely don't consider it a gift. Exactly the opposite. That's a nice spin to put on it though.

Answer

Okay I know you're trying to be positive and I commend you for that but as a member of this community I am going to say this, calling any form of mental illness a gift and acting like it is amazing to have is not good. It encourages romanticization and makes people take it less seriously than it is. Growing up with mental illnesses is not fun or pleasant and while you may be in a very loving and supportive community many of us aren't please be very careful with your words darling. I commend you for your positivity just make sure it doesn't border on romanticism.

Answer

I'd rather not call it a 'gift' because that makes it sound pleasant, or rewarding. But I have anxiety which makes me struggle every single day with 'simple' life tasks.

Answer

If that makes you feel better..  
But I find it Insulting. I do not view my mental illness as a gift. My PTSD is not a gift. Depression is not a gift. Panic attacks are not gifts. Mental illness isn't some cutesy bootsy 
"unique community"

Answer

You are such a beautiful person. You see the good in life and that is an amazing gift you have. You made me smile. You made my whole day. I have anxiety, depression, and PTSD, and that's hard enough. Add in two other diagnoses, I don't know how you're doing it. I love you so much sister

Answer

Why would someone call it a gift 
It’s horrible to be depressed
It horrible to anxious 
I don’t get what you mean

Answer

I would have given anything to live a normal life. Depression and anxiety are not gifts. They controlled me and destroyed me. I have gotten better as I got older, but I also lost 10 years of my life because I was so sick. Sorry..they’re not gifts.

Answer

When you call mental illness a gift, it makes people take us less seriously and makes people WANT to have these things. I hate having anxiety and depression and I would never want to give anyone my struggles.

Answer

I agree with a couple of the other comments. It shouldnt be romanticized and be called a "gift". I was clinically diagnosed with ptsd and mdd and it is unpleasant. However, it is your way of seeing the light at the end of a dark tunnel. So I acknowledge it and appreciate it.

Answer

I have a collection of anxiety. depression, ocd, pmdd, and ptsd. I'm 33 and have known about almost all of these since I was 12, though I shouldn't signs earlier. By the time I was 19, all of it was on the table. None of this is a gift for me in the sense that doesn't provide me happiness/pleasure. I've lost jobs, relationships, and countless opportunities because of them. But, without them, I doubt I would be as strong and resilient as I am.

What gifts do you have???

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