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Mental illness: Why is it such a hard topic?
- Dec 19, 2009 at 11:20 PM
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- Comments (24) Total Views (789) Everyone can see this journal post.
I have often wondered why the subject of mental illness is such a hard topic. Is it because it is a fairly new feild of medical study? Is it because people think "most" people with mental illness are not "really" sick? Is it the media? (I hate blaming the media for anything...)
I suffer from mental illness. I have as far back as I can remember. It is a struggle every single day to fight off these misconceptions, accusations and just plain ignorance sorrounding mental illness.
This is the second journal I have written on the subject here.
First off, I want to say that I do understand some people use thier mental illness as a sort of crutch. I really do understand this and I also understand that some people who suffer from mental illness CAN funtion normally and can be succesful.
What I do not understand is why it is that people often think that because they themselves suffer from the same Dx as someone else and can function "normally" that others will be able to. Menatl illness is so complex and so individualized. Certian meds that work for certain people do not work for others. We all have a different chemical make-up. I have YET to find meds or a combination of meds that work for me well enough to become all that I dream of.
It kills me every day to have this feeling that I want to give up on finding the "magic pills" that will make me better. I struggle with such feelings of dispair, panic, worthlessness and lonliness. I feel like I am so alone in this struggle sometimes. It offends me greatly when people say that I am "faking" it, using it as an excuse, a hypocondriac, a loser.
I am also bothered when people make jokes about mental illness. When people refer to mentally ill people like they are stupid or dumb. When people assume I don't really struggle just because I am seemingly normal in appearance.
If you could see inside my mind, you would be scared to death. I think about suicide, death, I hear voices telling me to hurt myself, its scary stuff in here.
I wonder why ANYONE would say that I fake it. Why on God's green earth would I want to feel this way as long as I have?!
I had dreams. I had goals. I had ideas of what my life would be like. It breaks my heart that I cannot at this time fulfill them.
Why is it ok to tell people some of the ignorant things people say? I have had people just tell me to "pick myself up by my bootstraps" and get over it. Would you tell that to someone who needed meds and therapy for a physical illness like diabetes(even though in my case it is something physical that makes me mentally ill)? Like a change in attitude will just cure them?
Is it ok to call a person with a physical disability just lazy? Why is it to call a person with a mental disability this? (Oh I know, everyone "knows" a cousin's step uncle that is "like this" and that must mean ALL mentally ill people are like that, right?)
Please, I am just asking that people back off sometimes. I am asking that you research so you know what it is like (even though all the books and websites in the world would not REALLY be able to make you understand the struggle). I am asking that you don't assume anything about mental illness.
Thanks for reading this and feel free to comment.
Hope everyone has a great Christmas.
Comments:
I struggle with such feelings of dispair, panic, worthlessness and lonliness. I feel like I am so alone in this struggle sometimes
THIS right here is the reason the subject of mental illness is such a hard topic and a newer field of study. In most cases it is NOT easily identified and the person suffering from it does so in Silence. This results in a lot of assumptions of mental illnesses and the prsons suffering from it to be stigmatized.
I DO want to emphasize that you cannot rely on meds alone. They are merely there to assist you with the highs and lows of the illness. The idea that there is some magic pill out there that will cure you as long as you find the right combination is very off base. The meds are there to assist you not cure you.
Recognizing that you are sick and that you do have issues to work on is a huge step, probably the most important one in dealing with this. I had a friend in college who was bipolar and refused to admit it to herself. Sure she got a little blue on occasion (everyone who's a little blue talks about suicide, right?) and her manic periods weren't an issue because she was just a happy person. It took months before she acknowledged her problem and started medication. You'll find the right combo of meds and therapy and coping techniques that will help you live your life eventually.
It's hard to talk about because people are scared of it. They don't understand it, so it is just easier to ignore it. People who have never experienced it cannot understand why someone can't just snap out of it because they are used to dealing with low points in their lives with that remedy - you're sad for a while and they you are able to get better. This is not the way it works with mental illness, the chemicals in the brain prevent one from just getting over it. As much as you try. It is like asking a diabetic to get over his illness by shear act of will. It can't happen. I agree with Kristi though, a combination of meds and therapy is usually the best way to get better. Good luck to you.
KristiS11384, I want to say that I do not rely on meds alone. I have been in counsoling, various types of therapy and I also have a case manager. I currently see a thereapist twice a month as well. I do not rely JUST on meds to make me better.
The point is that many people think mental illness is so simple. Many people think that the act of taking meds is all a person needs.
I just wanted to clarify that point as your post made it seem like many rely solely on a "Magic Pill" type remedy when in fact counseling is a very large part of it. I know from experience.
Acceptance that there is no quick fix and this is something you will have to deal with on a daily basis is crucial in the therapy and counseling.
You are not alone my dear. Many more people probably suffer from it than you think. People don't like to talk about it because it's such an uncomfortable topic for some. We just have to move on and talk openly about our disorders so that we can continue to help people be more understanding of what we suffer from.
Cause people are crazy...that's why! (sorry I couldn't help myself...even after you said you hate when people joke about it....but I'll get to that).
Honestly I think its because we can't understand (having never been there) and often when people ask about it to learn more or whatever, peolpe jump down their throats.
Here is my scenario...my ex is bipolar. Whether he truly is or not..>I can't tell you. They say he is. BUT my aunt and I remember a conversation with him once where he said that if he ever got arrested for something, he would pretend like he was 'crazy' so he could get off. Well...guess when he had his 'breakdown' that landed him in the mental institution....when he got arrested. It COULD be a conincidence. But I wonder. Either way, while this was all going down, he thought he was Jesus Christ and told his sister that as J.C. he was going to kill me (I was preg. at the time) so he could send the baby to heaven. Now...whether he truly is bipolar or whether he is faking it...this freaks me the F out...because IF he ever came after me...biplolar would be to blame. Not him...he'd blame the 'disease'. But I can't talk about this....because if I bring this up..the fact that him being bipolar (as I am assuming he actually is and the med. drs. he is seeing aren't able to be duped), people say "well you can't assume that's how ALL bipolar people are", "there's no reason to be afraid", etc. How can misconseptions be taken care of when the people how have it, or are affected by it, won't discuss it?
thank you for adding this journal. i suffer from anxiety disorder.often people tell my get over ,calm down but what they dont realize is in my head when i get overwelmed its like being stuck on a ferris wheel .your body starts shacking ,heart pounding and other symptons. and yes it can happen over nothing.i have lived this with since i was a child. it made it difficult to leave abusive husband . im become easily scared and want to hide from difficult decision. such as i broke up with my boyfrien of year because he wanted to move in together. im on my second try. thank you again. learning and knowledge go han and hand.
I agree with you 100%! I am bipolar with ADD and borderline personality disorder. I have been at the mercy of doctors telling me to try this pill with that one, and do this...being a guinea pig sucks. So does random people just "knowing" if I would do this or do that I'd be better. I guess it just doesn't occur to people who say its "all in your head" that HELLO!! It IS all in my head! My brain is not like anyone else's, it has its own jacked up idea of functioning. My illness is not the same as anyone else's either. So just cuz crazy Aunt Sally jumped off the roof and is now in a padded room doesn' t mean I'm gonna do it because 'well she's mentally ill, too." I think its easier for people to accept physical disabilities because they can see it. Mental problems are inside and are so complex and unique to each person that its hard to understand. Very well said.
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very good post!
"It kills me every day to have this feeling that I want to give up on finding the "magic pills" that will make me better. I struggle with such feelings of dispair, panic, worthlessness and lonliness. I feel like I am so alone in this struggle sometimes. It offends me greatly when people say that I am "faking" it, using it as an excuse, a hypocondriac, a loser."....i completely understand this part.
"If you could see inside my mind, you would be scared to death. I think about suicide, death, I hear voices telling me to hurt myself, its scary stuff in here."... same here...
there is a lot of people who don't understand and think it is just the blues or faking.
- 959799mom
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