Mental Health Advocacy I Dislike

[L83201]

You can dislike the statement, of course; and I know you're not the only one (even on this board, let alone in the world) who does not agree that PTSD is a mental illness. But, right now, it is.

I actually agree PTSD is a mental disorder - as the name suggests - it's in the DSM and it's one of those that are likely going to stay there. That is not the reason why I don't think the argument I mentioned includes people with PTSD.

I'm curious if you know that? That for many people it's the exact opposite belief that is true for them;

Absolutely. In fact one of my best friends is one of those many people you are referring to. That's also why I framed my post as just my perspective, my experience and the way I understand my experience...that others can relate to, or not.

Scientifically, it isn't a distinction that makes sense to me.

I know in most cases there are many causes and it's not either genes or trauma. Some people in my life though believe that a mental disorder is only real if it can be linked to genetics. And I was taught that whatever mental disorder I have has to do with my genes, and my traumatic experiences were minimized and/or denied altogether - which does not help. And that is partly why I wrote this post and why I dislike the argument "it's just like diabetes" or whatever. I'm not sure if this clarifies anything.

If one wording doesn't work for you, there are a wide variety of other reasons that people with PTSD shouldn't be treated any differently than anyone else or judged for it.

Yeah, that's what I was trying to do for myself: find a wording that works for me and share it in case someone else might benefit from it.

 

[L83201]

As long as we think we are suffering the stigma, we will continue to see thru others eyes and we will attract the treatment through our own beliefs.

I hope so, and I hope those I care about will understand me when I am no longer suffering the stigma. I'm sorry for all that has happened to you.

What a wonderful post

I'm glad you liked it! Thank you for your nice words.

But... isn't there a remote possibility that you or others have had a susceptibility of some sort?

Yes they say so. There are multiple causes in most cases... It's just that basically I was taught that only genes are the cause, and my trauma didn't happen. That's the opposite of what I learned with TB-CBT... so that's why that is my perspective.

Thank y'all for your answers, you have many good points, I'll think about them.

 

[mamachick]

Thank you L83201. Nothing has happened to me that is any worse than most of the folks here. I guess it is a question of where my breaking point is.

The question about so many things has always been nature vs. nurture, or genes vs. environment. Its really hard to tell and Im not sure that even the experts have all the answers.

I think some people are more susceptible to certain things, be it ptsd, alcoholism, depression. That could be genetic or it could be how one was raised (coping skills). Violence in homes often repeats itself, but there is no genetic cause that I am aware of. It begins to cease when a person acknowledges and makes necessary changes. Yet it may take more than one generation to eradicate it from a family system.

As much as we want to respond differently than our parents (and I do think we can), in times of stress, extreme circumstances, etc, if we hit a breaking point, I think that it often seems that we are only as able to cope as effectively as we were taught or modeled when we were very young. (I think that is my predisposition to it) but this is just my opinion for myself and not the best thought out.

 

[L83201]

in times of stress, extreme circumstances, etc, if we hit a breaking point, I think that it often seems that we are only as able to cope as effectively as we were taught or modeled when we were very young.

I think so, but I'm confident all the s*** can be unlearned eventually with time and practice...

 

[L83201]

Just as there is reason to shame someone for a broken leg, there is no reason to shame someone for PTSD.

Yes, I'm aware of this argument and how it is framed. My point was that having a broken leg and having someone break your leg voluntarily for no reason other than the fact that they decided to do so are two very different experiences. And even though I'm not comparing them - I don't think one is worse than the other - I think it's worth noticing that they are different, and I don't feel like someone who had an accident and broke their leg.

If they helped cause your trauma, didn't protect you from your trauma, or are in denial about their own trauma, then they're denying yours for a reason.
Meaning they likely will never admit you have a legit reason to be all messed up.

Makes sense.

There *is* a difference. I think that PTSD and other mental illness can exist co-morbidly. And, in fact, PTSD can lead to other stuff. But if you don't look at and treat and HONOR the PTSD for what it is, you are ignoring a huge part of the individual.

Yes, exactly. PTSD can lead to other stuff, like depression is more common in people with PTSD than in people who don't have PTSD. Is it that they have the same genes vulnerable to both PTSD and depression? <shrug> I think likely the trauma made them depressed, after all these two disorders have many symptoms in common.
It doesn't help to hear "no worries, you were born this way it's not your fault" - nah. Yes it's not my fault, but it is SOMEONE's fault. That phrase you were told so often, it sounds annoying to me too. Sorry for your trouble.

 

[L83201]

Why such a preoccupation with fault finding?

Because in my experience people don't take responsibility for their actions, when they don't blame someone else instead. I'm not preoccupied though, but rather passionate about truth and respect for others' experiences.

 

[L83201]

If they don't take responsibility, that's on them. It doesn't change who is at fault. Much easier...

Yes, and that is one other reason why I wrote the post. I'm internalizing that it's on them, and I'll move on when I'm done clarifying how and why it's on them.

 

[whiteraven]

<shrug>, far as I'm concerned, PTSD is a mental illness. And I think the majority of the medical co...

I think the operative phrase here is "right now." In my estimation we as a society get way too hung up on what a panel of doctors has decided what is an illness or disorder and how it should look. We buy into everything "they" tell us, and live our lives according to that, and often forget what we are experiencing and feeling and simply how those things are affecting us.

What is considered disordered today may, in fact, not be in 20 years. What was considered illness years ago, may not be today. Theories change. What we have to remember is the notion of "mental illness" is really nothing more than theory created by man.

 

[joeylittle]

What we have to remember is the notion of "mental illness" is really nothing more than theory created by man.

Sure thing. That's also why, to me, I don't have a problem accepting it as a way to talk about what I have. As far as I'm concerned, it is an illness, in that I am ill - not well. And it concerns my mental functioning. So, mental illness.

If the individuals who objected to the concept of 'mental illness' also said it was wrong to call something a 'physical illness' - as in, 'I am ill, I have the flu' - I would understand their stance better. But the real issue isn't the word illness, it's the word 'mental'.

Calling PTSD a 'mental injury' is a way of saying, my mind is not ill, I was injured, and it affects my mind.

I'm really picking apart semantics here - but for those who are uncomfortable calling PTSD a mental illness, because they believe it's not accurate and implies that they are sick - then they should want to flip all the way to calling it a brain injury. Putting a stake in the ground on mental illness vs. mental injury only serves to isolate the condition and also supports the kind of thinking that leads to stigmatization of other mental illnesses, in my opinion.

It's more political than medical.

 

[L83201]

Putting a stake in the ground on mental illness vs. mental injury only serves to isolate the condition and also supports the kind of thinking that leads to stigmatization of other mental illnesses, in my opinion.

Yeah, but this is not what my thread was about and it's not my struggle. I don't much care how they call it, I just care that it's respected. My word choice wasn't the best now that I think about it.