I've found that this webcomic does a reasonable job at illustrating that to people who don't understand mental illness: http://www.robot-hugs.com/helpful-advice

I've found that this webcomic does a reasonable job at illustrating that to people who don't understand mental illness: http://www.robot-hugs.com/helpful-advice/ http://www.robot-hugs.com/helpful-advice/ In the example you list, it'd be like telling the first person, "Everyone feels bloated after eating a big meal - that doesn't mean you need to stay in bed all day when you think you have 'food poisoning'". I agree that it's frustrating to read articles like this that trivialize mental disorders and downplay the struggles that they can actually cause for people. EDIT: Changed comic link to original source