Malaysians always have something to comment about others, but most of the time these words are just plain ignorant and dumb. We are kepoh people after all.
Mental health has, thankfully, become a major concern that’s more acceptable around the globe nowadays. However, Malaysians still tend to look down on this field quite often.
As a result, psychology students and graduates tend to hear loads of illogical nonsense all the time thanks to people’s ignorance. See if you’ve ever said or heard any of these eye roll-worthy sentences before!
1. “Can you read minds?”
2. “Psychology in Malaysia has no future.”
Well, if you must know, psychology is finally becoming a rather sought-after skill and field of knowledge.
More companies, particularly MNCs, are seeking counsellors and HR persons with a background in psychology to boost the company morale and happiness. So, who says there’s no future for psych grads?
3. “You’re going to work in Tanjung Rambutan is it?”
Hello, not all psychology students will end up working in a psychiatric ward ok? There are various types of jobs that they can apply for too.
4. “You must be a psycho for studying psychology.”
No, not everyone who studies this field has got a mental illness. However, mental illnesses are more common than we think. Many of us might have slight depression or anxiety, just like how we could have a cold or cough sometimes.
5. “I feel like you’re analysing me right now.”
Contrary to popular belief, they are not always trying to figure out what kinda mental illness you have. Just chill, ok.
6. “Erm, I don’t want to participate in your study because I have no mental issues.”
Psych students face this most often when they need to do a research paper and are looking for participants. Like any other typical research, we need a controlled variable for our study so that we can see clearer results.
So, we do need ‘normal’ people just as much as we need ‘crazy’ people in one study. Just help out, lah.
7. “So, what can you ACTUALLY work as after you finish your degree?”
Eh, excuse me. Thanks to psychology’s wide scope of study, fresh graduates can practically go into most fields and industries. There are graduates who went on to work as sales executives using their knowledge of human behaviour to sell better.
The possibilities are endless!
8. “You can’t make money in this field unless you have a PhD.”
Seeing as they can go into almost any kinda of job right after graduating, they can definitely make money out of what they’ve studied.
9. “Aiya, mental illnesses are all just in the head.”
Yes, and your asthma is all just in your lungs. Why don’t you get over it and stop having an asthma attack?
Smh. Some of y’all are just a-freud of the truth.
10. “Psychology is just common sense.”
Here’s an actual reply from a person studying psychology right now.
“Psychology is not common sense because every theory in psychology that has been theorised has gone through multiple experiments and tests in different variations for it to be generalised to 99 per cent of the population.” – Soniashree Nair, Second Year Psychology Student at HELP University.
11. “I think I have ____. Can you diagnose me?”
12. “People with mental illnesses are just selfish attention seekers.”
Okay, let’s just stop right there. You’re basically calling a sick person an attention seeker. If that’s your logic then you might as well say the same to someone who is coughing since they’re probably just faking it for the attention too.
Well, the next time you’re about to let any of these comments out, try to keep psy-lent instead. You’re definitely doing the world a favour. 🙂
In hindsight, here’s a thought:
Also read: 14 Annoying Things Malaysian Dentistry Students Are Tired of Hearing
