Do You Consider Yourself Mentally Ill?

[joeylittle]

I would say that I'm broken, when it comes to depression. My brain is broken. I think of it as having neural pathways that have frizzled out. Or not enough neurotransmitter left in there to help the thoughts travel, sort of like a car that's run out of oil. But the brain can mend, and I really wish they knew exactly how to do that. While waiting for them to figure it out, I try and do things to help it heal.

That's the part of me that feels broken - the part that just cognitively cannot make it through certain concepts.

 

[Ghostybear73]

Living things heal when they are displaced, dislocated, lacerated, burned, etc. @The Albatross, can you be a little more specific on why you use the word broken. I know this sounds like I'm arguing a fact or something, but honestly I am trying to understand the use of the word in relation to mental health.

 

[The Albatross]

There are techniques to create new neuro pathways... so "at this time" would be my caveat.

 

[The Albatross]

I use the word fractured rather than broken. To me it is an injury. Multiple injuries most likely... but I am a living thing and bodies are resilient. To me what is fractured can heal and be stronger, more durable than before. The personality aspect... that is more difficult.

 

[Ghostybear73]

@joeylittle, so you think of it as broken as opposed to let's say......fried or blocked? Okay, I can see where the word is coming from to an extent. I wonder if it is kind of a catch all phrase?

 

[Ghostybear73]

So to bypass the pathways, see that makes sense. I think I am taking the word "broken" too literally.

Thank you guys, I appreciate the answers!!

 

[Ghostybear73]

Now, I'm thinking, can you even bypass a break??? I am driving myself crazy and getting frustrated with myself over a stupid word.

Sorry guys and thanks again

 

[The Albatross]

Yes, you can bypass a break.

 

[Ghostybear73]

Really? I have been teaching medicine for over 10 years and I knew you could set a break and bypass neural pathways, even veins and arteries, but I didn't know you could bypass a break/fracture. Now my interest is piqued

 

[Ghostybear73]

Okay, I am getting way off track here.....I am so sorry. Thank you @The Albatross for helping me out. :)

 

[The Albatross]

The only thing so far I haven't been able to bypass is a brain stem injury. The doctors are still out on that one. No one so far knows if the nerves in the brain stem can heal or repair like other ones. My apnea is an unreliable signal due to a car accident. No one knows if it can repair... so I don't get the signal to breathe reliably. But having said that... with time, patience, diligence... practice, perseverance... the brain can make new connections.

It can be done though so far, I do better, I don't know I will be "well". I have no before so I don't know what that is though.

 

[The Albatross]

A fracture heals stronger than the surrounding tissue. The brain... can bypass and create new neuro pathways... don't confuse the two. Regardless... they are the benefits of being a living organism rather than being static and stuck in trauma. We're not.