Illusion vs. Truth: When Labels Lie and Adversity Builds Us

www.youllseehealing.comBy Jeremiah Barnett, Ph.D., LPC, CCTP-II

"Not every mask is physical. Some are emotional, mental, and carefully crafted to survive. This blog explores how truth is uncomfortable, but necessary is the only path to real healing. Read more at www.youllseehealing.com.

In today’s culture, everyone has a label for everything and often, for everyone. A toxic ex becomes a “narcissist.” A disagreement turns into “gaslighting.” A moment of silence is seen as “emotional unavailability.” But where is the truth in all of this?We live in a world where mental health terms are being weaponized, twisted, and stripped of their real meaning. The result? Not just confusion, but harm.

The Illusion: Misusing Diagnoses for Self-Benefit

Mental health is finally being discussed more openly and that’s a good thing. But in the wrong hands, clinical terms become tools of manipulation rather than understanding.

People now misuse words like narcissism, bipolar, and PTSD to justify toxic behavior or discredit others. Social media therapy culture has blurred the line between genuine awareness and convenient self-labeling.

“I cheated because I have abandonment issues.”

“I lashed out because of my trauma.”

“They didn’t agree with me they must be gaslighting me.”

Truth: A diagnosis is not a free pass. Healing doesn’t happen when we hide behind labels, it happens when we face ourselves honestly.

The Truth: Adversity Isn’t a Curse, It’s a Catalyst

You’ve been through something. Maybe it was betrayal, abuse, abandonment, grief, or struggle after struggle. But adversity doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means you’ve been tested.

I’ve worked with countless individuals, men in particular who’ve faced silent battles. But the ones who grow are the ones who stop using pain as an identity and start using it as fuel.

Growth doesn’t come from blaming others. It comes from owning your story.

How to Overcome Adversity & Break the Illusion

1. Stop Using Diagnoses as Weapons: Respect mental health and use it to heal, not harm.

2. Start Doing the Inner Work: Therapy, journaling, prayer, reflection. No shortcuts.

3. Own Your Role in the Pattern:  Stop blaming everyone else. You are part of the equation.

4. Tell the Truth About Your Past:  Not to dwell, but to learn and grow from it.

5. Surround Yourself with Truth-Tellers: Friends, mentors, and therapists who don’t let you play victim.

Tools for the Journey

• The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk

• Mental Health America Free Screening Tools: https://screening.mhanational.org/

• Men’s Healing & Resilience Workbook: Coming soon by Dr. Barnett

• You’ll See Podcast,  Raw conversations about healing, growth, and manhood (Launching Fall 2025)

Final Word

Illusion creates confusion. Truth creates transformation. You don’t need to be perfect. You need to be real with yourself, your pain, and your purpose. The world doesn’t need another masked version of you. It needs you healed, humbled, and hungry for more.

You'll see.

Jeremiah Barnett, Ph.D., LPC, CCTP-II

Licensed Professional Counselor, Trauma Specialist, Speaker, Founder of Pathway Guidance Services

Never worry alone!

Never worry alone!