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People often misuse words like depression and ADD. Sure you might be having a bad day, but are you really depressed? Likewise, you might sometimes struggle to concentrate, especially if you're doing something boring, but does that really mean you've got Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD)? We all have our little quirks and idiosyncrasies, but does that make us all Obsessive Compulsives? In order to differentiate between what people say about mental illness and what mental illness actually feels like for those who suffer from it, Annie Erskine has created these five useful comics for College Humor.

More info: Annie Erskine (h/t: CollegeHumor)

#1

What People Say Vs What It's Really Like

Annie Erskine Art , CH Staff Report

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Amanda Panda
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Or being the first to finish a test in class, but waiting as long as you can to go and put it on the teachers desk because you don't want to walk to the front of the class and everyone stare at you.

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Karen Louise
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am diagnosed with social anxiety...I am afraid to go to stores, miss family events, weddings, funerals. Panic at thoughts of leaving home

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Hans
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who would actually proclaim to other being socially anxious? Isn't that a paradox?

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Firework
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For me it's accidentally embarrassing myself and then going against my autistic nature by lying to avoid people laughing at me.

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Irish Panda
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Jeez, I'd have a touch of this, but didn't know there was a name for it. Thought I was just being a bit 'odd'.

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MsSoan1
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always hate being late because then the whole class stares

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Nele
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've always thought that real anxiety disorder is worse than shown in the right picture. I, too, don't want to attract antenttion and I do sometimes stupid things because of it but I still woudn't call it anxiety, I'm just a little bit shy.

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Virginia Su
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel like social anxiety is more severe than that. Like sometimes I won't do something like, but even though I'm shy and awkward, I don't think I have the severity to be diagnosed as socially anxious.

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Sondre Strøm Linde
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Uhm, both these are totally on point. If you hate attention, you also probably hate small talk.

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Jamie Benedikt
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who in the heck claims to be "socially anxious" from not liking small talk? Just saying, but these comics are rooted in some very strange corner of reality seemingly just to claim that these illnesses are being trivialized at every turn..

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normal Boy
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ive been diagnosed with Severe depression, Moderate anxiety, and ADHD. Ive seen every single one be misused and by the same people they say I dont have it. It happens more often than you would expect.

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#3

What People Say Vs What It's Really Like

Annie Erskine Art , CH Staff Report

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Vanessa
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Had this problem too, but I and my parents thought I was just lazy :( I wish I could go in the past and get some help

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#4

What People Say Vs What It's Really Like

Annie Erskine Art , CH Staff Report

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Ged Maybury
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Good stuff here. I can officially relate to some of them. (And few people even know what's going on inside)

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#5

What People Say Vs What It's Really Like

Annie Erskine Art , CH Staff Report

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Amanda Panda
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7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's annoying how people often mistake clean freaks with OCD. They are not always related.

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