#REALTALK With Ariel Tatum

Summary

Ariel Tatum, a self-identified individual with borderline personality disorder (BPD), shares her journey and challenges in addressing mental health stigmas. She emphasizes the importance of open discussion about mental health, the difficulty in diagnosing BPD due to its similarity to other disorders, and the societal reluctance to seek professional help. Ariel encourages seeking professional guidance over self-diagnosis and highlights the need for increased mental health education to reduce misconceptions and the taboo surrounding it.

Takeaways

• 😀 Ariel Tatum is an advocate for mental health, specifically for borderline personality disorder (BPD).
• 🔍 BPD is a mental health condition that causes emotional instability and affects a person's thinking and behavior.
• 🏥 Ariel was diagnosed with BPD at the age of 13, which is a condition that is often misdiagnosed due to its similarity to other disorders.
• 📢 Ariel speaks up about mental health to challenge the taboo and misconceptions surrounding it in society.
• 💌 The response to Ariel's advocacy has been significant, with many people reaching out to share their own experiences and seek support.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 There is still a stigma around mental health issues within families and society, particularly in Indonesia.
• 📚 Ariel believes that education about mental health is lacking, especially among older generations who may not be as open to discussing it.
• 🌟 Ariel emphasizes the importance of seeking professional help rather than self-diagnosing or relying on uneducated opinions.
• 🎨 Ariel shares personal examples of how mental health struggles can coexist with creativity and productivity.
• 🤔 The speaker differentiates between good stress, which is motivating, and bad stress, which can be detrimental to productivity.
• 📝 Ariel suggests that if someone feels they cannot explain their feelings or find help, they should seek professional assistance from a psychiatrist.

Q & A

What is Ariel Tatum's advocacy related to mental health?

Ariel Tatum advocates for the understanding and acceptance of mental health issues, particularly borderline personality disorder (BPD), and aims to reduce the stigma associated with seeking professional help.

Why is Borderline Personality Disorder difficult to diagnose?

BPD is difficult to diagnose because it shares symptoms with other mental health conditions such as mood disorders, personality disorders, and even eating disorders, making it challenging to differentiate.

At what age did Ariel Tatum start seeking help for mental health issues?

Ariel Tatum started seeking help from a psychologist at the age of 13 and was initially misdiagnosed.

What are the two main reasons Ariel Tatum decided to speak up about mental health?

The two main reasons are the societal taboo around discussing mental health and the misconceptions people have about psychology, leading to self-diagnosis without proper knowledge.

How does Ariel Tatum feel about the public's response after speaking up about mental health?

Ariel Tatum feels sad because many people reached out to share their similar experiences and lack of support, indicating that there is still a significant stigma attached to mental health issues.

What does Ariel Tatum believe is the main obstacle to discussing mental health openly in Indonesia?

Ariel Tatum believes that the main obstacle is the lack of education about mental health, which leads to a taboo surrounding the topic.

How does Ariel Tatum differentiate between good stress and bad stress?

Good stress, or 'eustress,' is motivating and can lead to productivity, while bad stress, or 'distress,' is prolonged and can decrease productivity and overall well-being.

What advice does Ariel Tatum give to someone who feels misunderstood or unsupported in their mental health journey?

Ariel Tatum advises seeking professional help instead of relying on people who may not understand, to avoid misleading advice and further distress.

How does Ariel Tatum cope with their own mental health struggles?

Ariel Tatum copes by expressing themselves through art, such as painting, even when they don't feel inspired, as a way to remain productive and manage their emotions.

What is Ariel Tatum's vision for changing the perception of mental health in society?

Ariel Tatum's vision is to normalize the conversation around mental health, making it as acceptable to seek help for mental health as it is for physical health.

How does Ariel Tatum handle negative comments or bullying online?

Ariel Tatum uses the negative comments as motivation to continue their advocacy, believing that their message is correct and that they should not be swayed by others' opinions.