Generally when you’re in a healthy relationship or attentive family, slipping into mental illness is caught before it starts getting a foothold. When you’re living on your own, it’s VERY easy to slip into a mental state of depression, anxiety, withdrawal, etc. Or, if you live in a family that is ignorant or insensitive to your situation… can be just as lonely.
My parents divorced when I was 10 and it affected me significantly. I lashed out in various ways, as much as I would as a generally timid young boy. I didn’t become brash, disruptive, indulgent in dangerous things, etc. I just gradually withdrew, despite my mother dragging me to this class and that activity. The stepfather that “replaced” my father was too interactive. Neural scrutinizer. Examine everything, every though fiber in your mind. “What made you do that, exactly? We’re going to find out.” No, you’re not. My thoughts are my own and you’re never going to have them.
When parents inadvertently tie off your balls so you don’t feel confident.
When parents downplay what you’re feeling and claim to know what’s best.
When parents hear your voice but don’t accept your content.
I’m not a dad and probably never will be. I would be too OCD about raising a perfectly well balanced child into young adulthood. And they’d probably find a way to foil my good intentions anyway. Parenting is tough enough as it is when you’re in comfortable middle class. I can’t even imagine what it must be like for so many kids these days who are coming from broken homes, OCD parents, or out-of-touch super-busy parents… USA social programs are non-existent to help parents be the best they can be. Complete 180 degrees and you’re in Sweden or Denmark, where the help is overwhelmingly good.
as a police officer i have dealt with many people in crisis.
i believe that most folks dont realize that they are dealing with something that is out of their control and most times there are medical solutions.
i believe we miss these indicators in ourselves and dismiss them to just feeling bad or being in a bad place mentally.
sometimes we feel like we just need to tough it out.
i have found that family and friends are most likely to see the signs before we see them in ourselves.
i think that being a friend/family member means talking about these issues and helping/encouraging those we love to seek professional help.
my mental …… started when i saw my parents fighting…regular…and they blamed ME for that—7 years old…crap.then i “tasted” marihuana and Jin was out of the bottle…never again.
now iam a social worker and mental illness client are my “customers”…poor children…
I’ve seen a hospital from the inside due to depression and panic disorder.
That was the hardest period of my life…but also the most efficient period of learning. Learning about myself. And it made me a much better person.
It is not something I would recommend to anyone but at the same time I don’t view it negatively.
Medication?
I needed it before the hospital. I needed it initially while there but I stopped taking it before I went out. Haven’t needed it since though I needed counselling for another 8 years or so.
My girlfriend has mental illness. She takes medication , and mostly is fine . There are times though , when something triggers her emotions. As Zulumoose said , perspective gets warped . She will believe situations schewed from reality .
I can generally perceive changes that she doesn’t realize are happening . Fortunately, having been together 10 years now , she trusts me to let her know this and can adjust her meds accordingly .
I admire you guys for talking about something so personal.This is as personal as it gets for me on these forums!,Probably too personal!
I will say this. I think I have mentioned this once or twice on this forum. I have been sober almost 22 years. Put a drink in my and I can be insane! Went to jail several times and prison once,was misdiagnosed as bi polar.Having an addiction and being misdiagnosed is Not uncommon because of the insane behavior, depression ect. associated with the disease of addiction.
I could tell at least a dozen or so stories of insanity but they do not need to be mentioned………I think I am relatively sane without alcohol.,that is debatable!
My X girlfriend Barbara and I are still friends. She is the youngest of Seven. Two siblings committed suicide, Three siblings[including her] are on depressive medications, leaving Two[Out of Seven] that do not have a mental illness.
The Father died when Barbara was Two. He was a violent manic depressive alcoholic. He not only passed down the genes[of mental illness] to most of his kids, he also affected everyone in a negative and damaging way. The older siblings remember him and were actually relieved when he died[age Fifty-Two].
, Very sad.
It is NOT uncommon for people with mental illness to self Medicate. So a lot of addicts can also have other mental illnesses[Dual Diagnosis] while others do not and can be misdiagnosed.
The first diagnosis is to determine what is normal for the person who is determined to be mentally ill.
If it is destructive behavior; the next step is to determine what caused the behavior.
The movie Good Will Hunting is a good example. Another one is The Punisher.
“Normally” It’s not your fault.
We all have crazy thoughts; we don’t all act on them.
Mentally ill people don’t know the difference between the “land of make believe” and reality. although a good writer can portray truth using fantasy.(Walt Disney).
I can be someone I’m not on a forum.
Non-conformity is not mental illness.
Perception is reality.
First I will say there are many types of mental illness. Perhaps the ONLY flavor of that “May” apply to your opinion, would be Schizophrenia.
I would disagree with that As a “Totally” inclusive statement, which is the way you wrote it.
I imagine your OPINION would not sit well with someone on here who has admitted to being mentally ill. I can not speak for them.
Although, I find it insulting.
I can speak for my Friend Barbara and Bill,your opinion which is FAR from Diagnosis[Are you a Doctor,I would doubt it because they would never make such a definitive and narrow minded statement] certainly does not apply to them.
I suggest reading the various types of mental illnesses and the symptoms associated with them before you pass judgement.
“Mentally ill people don’t know the difference between the ”land of make believe” and reality.”
That right there is JUDGEMENTAL,that right there is NOT true.
My friends suffer from Depression,that has NOTHING to do with NOT knowing the difference between make believe and reality!! They understand reality and can function in society with the help of medication and supportive friends,NOT people who stigmatize them.
I suffered from depression and anxiety since I was about 8 or 9. I was on medication since then since I also had ADD. I saw therapists but never found real relief, I feel they didn’t treat depression in young people as serious back then which was the mid 90s. My biggest mistake was self medicating with alcohol and drugs. They made the anxiety and depression go away for awhile but created worse problems. About ten years ago I decided I had to make a change so I quit drinking and smoking and all the other stuff and started taking my medication properly. I got heavily into exercise and going to church for support. It still is very difficult at times but I always remember that it doesn’t last forever and does get better.
I think three things are important. Your everyday job, your hobby or free tíme and friends/girlfriend… Som things needs everybody.I remember when i was unemployed for a long tíme… I change… Just example…
Mental illness is a very broad and far reaching subject, the nuances of which cannot be discussed properly on this forum.
My comments were not meant to open a can of worms or a Pandora’s Box; only meant to throw some light on this subject which has been studied for many years by some of the most intelligent people on the planet.
Still mental illness in all its forms exists.
In some instances we found that changing the diet of some clients had very good results.
Also there is a very good book called Switch on Your Brain by Dr Caroline Leaf.
Very sad.
although a good writer can portray truth using fantasy.(Walt Disney).
