How Mental Health Was Used Against Me | Signs to Look For
Mental health can be an explanation, but hardly an excuse.
CW: Suicidal ideation
My ex- “friend” told me, “If you come over, you’ll have to stay because of my mental health.” She was hoping her mental well-being would be enough to make me live with her permanently.
This is a prime example of mental health being used against someone.
Differences between an explanation vs. an excuse
Please understand, that there are people who genuinely want to explain certain things they’ve done or said (that’s not toxic) so that their intentions are not misconstrued.
For example:
Person A: “Oh, I think that color is unflattering for you.”
Person B could interpret that as an insult. They may feel hurt and confused as to why person A would attack them.
This is a good time for person A to not only sincerely apologize for what they said, but to explain where they’re coming from when they said it.
This is to make sure that their intention is not misunderstood, while still making sure they accept accountability for the impact of their statement.
