Why not look at the strengths of the ‘mental health labelled weakness’

Finishing up January and heading into February hits many of us at our darkest coldest moments. Seasonal Affective Disorder might rear its head. Coupling this along with a predisposition to various mental health vulnerabilities, adults and kids alike can stop progressing forward in making effective changes. Mental health issues can lead us to focus on our ‘labelled weakness’. This can be extremely depressing and frustrating. Why not look at the strengths of the ‘mental health labelled weakness’?

As a teacher, parent and family member or friend, I have found over my life that often once a person has been given a diagnosis from the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Health Disorders, 5th edition, (DSM 5), it becomes the exclusive lens that people use to perceive another person or themselves. Given that the labels are used to identify presenting problematic behaviours, the focus is weakness-driven. Prior to the positive psychology movement, rarely was the strength side of any disorder discussed.

I’ve always said, one can’t be an elite athlete unless one is predisposed to obsessive-compulsive behaviour. I’d even argue further that many professionals in various fields require them to be hyper-organized, detailed, vigilant and tenacious. Pioneers and entrepreneurs often are exceptionally courageous risk-takers who are able to juggle multiple tasks and might seem oppositional and defiant. Possibly classified as ODD or ADHD, these people are the movers and shakers of discovery and innovation. Hence, I believe most weaknesses have strengths.

Over this week, I will share short reflections on a variety of common specific diagnostic labels that typically get a very negative reputation. I will share personal experiences of strengths demonstrated with those labelled with a particular mental health issue. All too often we are focused on fixing what is uncomfortable or challenging rather than looking at how these characteristics can be gifts when applied at the appropriate time.