Why I know so much about Psychology, “and yet” chose not to become a psychologist.
It’s for the same reason disabled people don’t have to always be “an inspiration” to you, dear.
I have severe trauma. This should go without saying if you follow me, as it’s apparent in much of my writing. Yes, I’m self-aware about that.
The thing about mental health is… Society still stigmatises it. “Oh, it’s invisible, so let’s pretend it’s not there”, some think “…so let’s pretend a simple one-size-fits-all solution that this person, and only him, and nobody else offers, can solve it”, others think; even without admitting. Because surely, in order for something to be serious, it needs to be visible and extreme. Otherwise, “ah, sure, it mustn’t be that bad. Here, take a low-effort solution. Off ya go”. Oh, what simplism… What are we? Chimps? I thought we were capable of abstraction and complex reasoning, but nevermind.
This collective judgement and mob mentality becomes even stronger if it’s against someone like me — someone who chose not to make mental health advocacy their entire personality.
It’s almost as if the world was saying to me, “so you want an unrelated career? Well, in that case, your issue might not be as serious as you say after all”. No, smartass. It is serious. Just because I don’t center my life around my trauma and don’t talk about it at every opportunity, it doesn’t mean it stopped being a thing in my life. An extremely painful, hard to make sense of, and debilitating thing in my life.
Just because I didn’t choose to dedicate every waking hour to thinking about it and talking about it and working with fellow victims of trauma, it doesn’t mean I can’t do that *at any occasion* or can’t research painstakingly the topics that concern it in search of answers. It’s funny how the wider public talks about freedom and inclusivity, and in the same breath they judge the people they’re trying to include. This plays out similar to ableism, doesn’t it? You’re never “disabled enough” if you dare dreaming about the normal things able-bodied people dream about. No, you have to instead only focus on overcoming whatever it is you have and showing the world you’re struggling so that you can be given a gold medal and/or a slot for a TED talk. Interesting.
I respect the science of Psychology very much, as well as the professionals who dedicate to it — trauma-having or not. I commend them. But ultimately, it’s a choice. It’s not an unspoken rule I or anyone else who had a tough childhood has to abide by.
I’m sure some even assume my oracle work stems from the compassion I gained for trauma sufferers. Sorry to disappoint, but no. It’s an inner calling. Sure, it sometimes veers towards helping others emotionally, but it doesn’t have to. However, if you know me, and know my story, you’ll automatically conclude that “yes it does” because I can’t simply aspire to something because I’m human and having dreams is my birthright. Oh, no, not at all, let’s leave that for the fortunate and the healthy instead.
THIS — among other things — is what I mean when I say I feel the world has let me down. It’s not personal, but at the same time, it is. And everyone who relates will probably agree.
That’s it. That’s the article today. I just needed to let it out — and hopefully, provide relatability.
