Frustrating Mental Illness Is Invisible

[NovemberStar]

@scout86 your summary of that made me laugh out loud - yes, helping out with mental illness would get far less acknowledgement and not make thrm look anywhere as wonderful.

I talked to my T about this today. She made a good point in that I want other peole to be supportive towards me yet I dont give myself the same allowances in terms of my limits (give myself a hard time for being so 'useless').

I hope my post didnt come across too much as a poor me - although it probably was - I think I feel better just being able to acknowledge how I feel / felt- bonus is having a chorus of understanding

 

[greenleaf]

@scout86
I talked to my T about this today. She made a good point in that I want other peole to be supportive towards me yet I dont give myself the same allowances in terms of my limits (give myself a hard time for being so 'useless').

I hope my post didnt come across too much as a poor me - although it probably was - I think I feel better just being able to acknowledge how I feel / felt- bonus is having a chorus of understanding

It really seems to me like your second sentence is a perfect example of your first sentence, just shifted a little!!!

This is not a "poor me" at all; please give yourself support -- you deserve support, and these issues are real.

 

[intothelight]

Mental health disorders are invisible, because society makes them invisible. How many public service announcements do we see or hear about mental illness? How many times does the entertainment industry whether in movies or television have a key character with a mental illness? Having a mental illness is scary to other people because they do not understand, nor is there any real move to increase awareness or understanding. From keeping a family member hidden at home, to sanitariums and now to those who are homeless in the streets, there isn't compassion for the mentally ill only the attitude of take a pill and keep it quiet.

What if we could be open? What if people pitched in and helped when the need was the greatest? What if we all felt loved and accepted even when our symptoms were at their worst? What if there was real communication, empathy, understanding and support in our 3D lives rather than behind the anonymity of a computer screen? Unfortunately none of this will become the norm until there is greater understanding

Unfortunately, I have both PTSD and cancer. No, I didn't receive the outpouring of support when I was at my worst, depressed, suicidal, isolating, unreachable and unapproachable. Not only could I have used support (can't say I would have responded in the moment), but my family could have used the support. Now when I had my cancer diagnosis and was going through treatment, the support extended to me and my family was amazing.

So yes there is a huge double standard in regard to mental versus physical illness. However, I am also part of the problem. It was a whole lot easier to tell people about a cancer diagnosis, and not to tell people about a mental illness diagnosis. So much stigma and so much shame and I am speaking for myself personally. I think change has to start with me and how I view myself.

 

[holdenmonty]

I'm with you there I hate the stigma it's like if you tell anybody what your going through that isn't a therapist in person they tend to treat you like a black sheep

 

[Lucycat]

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/apr/15/mental-illness-wristbands-stigma-tory

It would appear that there is a solution that would make mental illness less invisible.
What do you think of this @NovemberStar ?

 

[Anarchy]

Perhaps invisibility is not too bad a thing, in cultures where "help" traditionally looked like life long incarceration and coercive treatments tha,t in any other context, would be considered torture or attempted murder.

 

[ramacita]

Way to look on the bright-side, @Anarchy =)

 

[shimmerz]

She made a good point in that I want other peole to be supportive towards me yet I dont give myself the same allowances in terms of my limits (give myself a hard time for being so 'useless').

Smart T's bother me sometimes..... :roflmao:

 

[DarkSideOfTheSoul]

@NovemberStar,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. I too, know someone with cancer, and wondered the same things myself.
I understand loneliness too, but from a different side of the coin. My well wishes for your healing journey.