Why We Shouldn't Criticise Bella Thorne For Her Tweet About Depression | HuffPost Life

Many have accused the actress of trivialising mental health issues.

By

Life Editor at HuffPost UK

|

Actress Bella Thorne has faced a backlash for tweeting that she had “come to the conclusion” she was suffering from depression.

In a now-deleted post, originally sent to her 6.5 million followers, the 19-year-old said: “Came to the conclusion that I struggle with depression :/ you aren’t alone❤️.”

Some users accused the star of trivialising mental health issues, saying depression is not the “latest trend” and is not the same as “being sad or unhappy”.

It’s unclear whether Thorne has self-diagnosed herself with depression or if she’s received a formal diagnosis from a medical expert.

But leading charities have said we “shouldn’t dismiss the validity” of someone saying they are experiencing a mental illness.

Maarten de Boer via Getty Images

On Twitter, some fans accused Thorne of not taking depression “seriously” by posting the short message.

Cal Strode, spokesperson for the Mental Health Foundation, said it’s not uncommon for people to self-diagnose mental health issues and we should be wary of criticising them for it.

“Today, most of us naturally seek information online when we’re concerned about our mental health and after reading about symptoms, it’s not uncommon for people to self-diagnose before receiving a formal clinical diagnosis,” he told The Huffington Post UK.

“Around two thirds of people who experience mental health problems are not accessing mental health services and not getting formally diagnosed, so we shouldn’t dismiss the validity of someone saying they are experiencing depression. Being in touch with the reality of how we’re persistently feeling is the first step on the road to recovery.

“The big problem is not people self-diagnosing with mental health problems such as depression, it is the millions of people living with the symptoms of depression who are not getting a diagnosis or the support they need.”

Jayne Hardy, founder and chief executive of the Blurt Foundation, agrees we should think twice about judging someone else’s mental health based on a tweet.

“It’s impossible to know the backstory of the tweet - what circumstances led to the tweet being published. It could be that Bella has been really struggling lately and has read an article about depression that resonates and suddenly, a range of things that she’s experiencing have started to make sense. It could have been a flippant tweet too. We just don’t know,” she told HuffPost UK.

“What we do know though, is that depression is a debilitating illness which takes lives. There’s a sense of frustration from those who are, and have been, affected by depression I think - each time the word ‘depressed’ is used to describe something fleeting, in a flippant way, it diminishes our painful experiences and that’s actually quite dangerous as it plays into the hands of stigma/misunderstanding and can prevent people from reaching out for the help they need, and deserve.”

Blogger Megan Gilbride, who’s previously shared her own experiences of depression, said she has mixed feelings about Thorne’s tweet.

“It’s interesting to me, because on the one hand it appeared quite flippant and nonchalant, but for someone who suffers with mental health, the first thing I felt when reading it was that it was a cry for help,” she told HuffPost UK.

She added that it’s important we’re careful with the language we use when discussing mental health issues.

“Mental health issues aren’t something you choose, nor are they something to be belittled or tossed around as a throwaway statement,” she said.

“I truly believe that the more mental health is discussed, the better. We fall in to issues like these because it’s not widely talked about and the majority of us are uneducated on the topic.

“There needs to be more caution applied, so that mental health is recognised as something we should all take seriously - but that can’t happen with the lack of support we currently receive.”

The Huffington Post UK has contacted Bella Thorne’s team for comment and is waiting to hear back.

Useful websites and helplines:
Mind, open Monday to Friday,9am-6pm on 0300 123 3393
Samaritans offers a listeningservice which is open 24 hours a day, on 116 123 (UK and ROI - this number is FREE to call and will not appear on your phone bill.)
Get Connected is a freeadvice service for people under 25. Call 0808 808 4994 or email: help@getconnected.org.uk

15 Facts About Depression

It's Not Just About Being Sad (01 of15)

There’s more to depression than just feeling sad all the time, says Dr. Prakash Masand, a psychiatrist and president of Global Medical Education. Symptoms of depression can include psychomotor (cognitive functions and physical movement) activity changes, trouble sleeping, loss of interest in pleasurable activities, feelings of guilt or hopelessness, decreased energy, trouble concentrating, appetite changes, while others may also have suicidal thoughts or attempts.

It Doesn't Mean You Can't Live Your Life(02 of15)

Being diagnosed with depression doesn't have to stop you from living your day-to-day life or seeking professional help. Most people would never guess celebrities like Brad Pitt, Oprah Winfrey, Billy Joel and J.K. Rowling all battled depression.

It Can Be Expensive (03 of15)

In Canada, one 2012 report found depressed workers who take a leave of absence or schedule in doctor or therapy appointments during work hours, can cost an employer up to $18,000.

New Moms Can Get Hit (04 of15)

Masand says one in 10 new mothers will develop postpartum depression. "This is by no means a character flaw or weakness. Symptoms of depression or the 'baby blues' can occur in many women." Mothers who feel like they do have symptoms should seek treatment and not put it off.

Women Are More Likely To Be Depressed (05 of15)

Masand says women are twice as likely to develop depression as men, and although depression can strike at any age, the average age of onset is 32.

You're More Likely To Have A Heart Attack(06 of15)

Patients with depression are also more likely to have heart attacks and strokes compared to non-depressed individuals, Masand adds. Researchers note some symptoms of depression can reduce your overall physical and mental health, which increases your risk of heart disease or make symptoms of heart disease worse.

It's Not Just Adults (07 of15)

One out of 10 adolescents will have depressive disorder by the time they're 18, Masand says. "Compared to adults, children with depression may be more likely to present temper tantrums, somatic complaints, social withdrawal and mood liability."

It Doesn't Always "Go Away" (08 of15)

If you are seeking treatment or taking antidepressants, Masand adds it's not as simple as being symptom-free in a few weeks. "Medications take time to work, and a 10 to 12 week trial is necessary to achieve remission," he says. He also adds cognitive behavioral therapy and interpersonal psychotherapy are good options to moderate depression.

Depression And Bipolar Disorder Are Not The Same (09 of15)

Sometimes, people are misdiagnosed or use the two conditions interchangeably. Masand says healthcare professionals should also ask about the history of a patient's experience with hypomania and mania — both of which are linked to being bipolar.

Sometimes Being SAD Is More Than Just SAD (10 of15)

Many patients with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is winter depression, have undiagnosed bipolar disorder, Masand says. Again, this can be tracked by looking at the patient's medical history, and experience with hypomania and mood levels. Often, professionals (and patients) wait around for the weather to get better to feel better.

Exercise And Yoga Can Help(11 of15)

Masand says studies have shown exercise and yoga can be very helpful with patients with depression. "When you exercise, you release endorphins, a chemical in the brain that brings about a positive feeling over the body." The benefits of exercising in general include longer and deeper sleep, improved self-esteem and confidence, reduced stress and alleviated depression and anxiety.

How Is It Diagnosed? (12 of15)

There are no laboratory tests or brain scans that can diagnose depression, Masand says. Instead, doctors talk to patients about family history, look for depression symptoms and at the same time, rule out other conditions to narrow down depression.

Hidden Causes (13 of15)

Masand says many medications like steroids or isotretinoin have been linked to causing depression. If you recently started taking a new medication and are feeling the symptoms of depression, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about potential side effects.

The Link Between Antidepressants And Suicidal Thoughts (14 of15)

Antidepressants don’t usually increase suicidal thoughts and suicidal tendencies, Masand says, but some studies have shown a correlation with an increased risk in some patients. In particular, children, teens and those under 24 tend to have a higher risk of having suicidal thoughts. In this case, anyone under 24 should be monitored extra carefully for any suicidal behaviour.

Resiliency Can Be A Good Thing (15 of15)

People with the resiliency trait are less likely to develop depression. "The reason for this isn’t totally understood, but resilient people typically have a stronger belief in themselves, don’t let adversity bring them down and are more confident," Masand says. He adds these types of behaviours are also taught in therapy.

Suggest a correction

|