Embracing Your Diagnoses as a Superpower

Mental health is often portrayed as something negative or as a weakness, but in reality, it can be your superpower. People living with different mental health diagnoses are often looked down upon and seen as less than people who are neurotypical. What most people don’t realize is that just by living with your mental health challenge, you are already a superhero. 

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For example, if you are living with anxiety, think of Spiderman. Have you ever noticed any similarities between you two? Peter Parker is able to detect danger and react to it before it causes any problems for him. As someone with anxiety, sometimes you may feel afraid due to dangers that aren’t actually there, but you can use this heightened sense of awareness much like Spiderman’s spidey-senses. Your anxiety can allow you to be more aware of your surroundings and you, too, can use this awareness to your advantage.

Here is another example for you. As a child, Batman witnessed the death of his parents. While that did inflict trauma upon him, he turned himself into a positive figure. Batman has been resilient throughout his struggles and is able to help people despite what might be considered a hurdle. He fights crime and he uses his symptoms as motivation, instead of something that can hold him back. You can do the same if you are ever feeling like depression is holding you back. 

This is just barely scraping the surface of how mental health diagnoses can turn into superpowers if you allow them to. You are still able to conquer whatever struggles you are facing and turn them into something positive. If you prioritize your mental health and ask for help if you need it, you can easily turn your struggles into strengths and superpowers.