That is me. Educate to eliminate the stigma.

I forgot. Please be honest even if it doesn't sound good or is silly.

Honestly?

Before we knew people close to us who have this:

Potential self harm - loss of control - a time bomb ready to explode.

Now that we do:

Compassion required, don't patronise and an uncanny talent in other areas of life if given the chance.

Nice and this one can smell the flowers, but not naked while having fun blogging.

Thanks for the honesty. That is really what I want. People's first gut reaction.

Thanks for posting this - we'll start getting more people to forums now we're all clear techwise!

Oh, good. Sometimes, I feel like I'm playing with myself over here. Hmmm...that did not sound right. Try again. Sometimes, I feel like I'm the only one of a few people posting comments, so it is not so much fun. Thats is better.

LOL CC!!!!

Forums will take off and start getting busy as we add the viral features here at flowers....at the moment forums are the best kept secret here....

The seeds are planted and we'll look back on these quiet times and think WOW!

Ssshhhhh :-)

Simply people who have an illness. The main issue they have is sympathy is low as they generally don't look different. For instance you won't see someone openly take the p!ss out of a blind man but you will here plenty about people with mental illness.

However I disagree about the theory Jimenem seem to be keen on that all people with a mental problem or some sort of difference are suddenly genius' or some sort of mad professor. Most breakthroughs or developments come from hard work, planing and rational, progressive, logical working.
Occassionally there are cases where some special talent is found or something similar but to tar most sufferers as some sort of 'rainman' is wrong and simply being having a very rosy, romantic and unrealstic/detached view of the world. It is clearly only a miniscule minority.

Erm, when did we say that GIC? It can be a form of 'genius' but not in every case!

Does that mean I'm not a genius or MAD professor? :-( I kind of liked being a mad professor. Thank you for participating in the question.

Rainman would probably be diagnosed with some type of autism which is a developmental disorder like mental retardation. These do not fall under the class of mental illness although some people do. They are different. With a developmental disorder you can learn adaptive ways of managing everyday life, but thier disorder is not likely to change...they are mentally stuck at a particular age, but they still continue to grow, but at a greatly diminished rate. There is not medication for the delay, but maybe it there are behaviors with it which is usually not the case (unless you had my caseload...just mostly schizophrenia with mental retardation).

With a mental illness, there is active treatment that either can eliminate and cure symtoms or manage them. Usually, medications and psychotherapy work the best. Generally bipolar and psychotic (people just hear and see things that aren't there, many are aware that their mind is playing tricks") illnesses such as schizophrenia, psychosis, dissocitative identity disorder (multiple personality) etc, will require medication their whole lives. However, most with mental illness will not. They are very treatable.

Okay, more information than you wanted...time to step off the soapbox.

Jimenem,Yo commented to that effect a few months back and your above response seemed to convey the same theme 'Compassion required, don't patronise and an uncanny talent in other areas of life if given the chance.'
If that wasn't what you meant then apologies but thats how it came over.
The media does like to play this one in news and films as it pulls on heart strings strongly.

Ok fair enough GIT but out of context perhaps....

Genius does exist in most people, in some form but only a few % actual realise it. Mental illness doesn't always ensure genius, of course....

but it's often there behind the facade that doesn't ring bells with society.

My first thoughts are

'depression'

as this is perhaps the most common form of mental illness but is not so much discussed in those terms. It also has become so widespread that now it has a certain 'normality' to it, which lessens how seriously others respond to the needs of those who are seriously depressed.

I have a site some of you may find helpful which deals with this issue slightly

http://www.stress-relief-4u.blogspot.com

That is only one thought. What is a second?

It is the most common form of mental illness, but it is NOT considered a normality. While being down sometimes is normal, actual clinical depression in its mild form, dysthymia or in major depression is serious and requires treatment. I do not know many people who have found that the general society views it as "normal." There is still much stigma attached to it and many misunderstandings. Stress reduction helps, but does not treat it. I do not believe that the stigma and misunderstandings have to do with how "widespread" it is.

I think you misunderstood what I meant by 'normal'

Asthma and Diabetes for example are serious life threatening illnesses but they have become so common place that few people now raise an eyebrow when someone announces they have it. Yet they remain life threatening. The common factor has given it an air of 'normality' in that people see it as normal to have some chronic illness or other.

Perhaps half the people I know are on medication for depression. So when someone now says 'I am on anti-depressants , I sometimes feel suicidal' the response is often 'yes, me too'.

I agree that there are huge misunderstandings about this still.

We are not in disagreement here.

My reaction to mental illness on the second thought is.....I am familiar with this. It can be treated...it can be scary..but often those with it are not dangerous so there is nothing to fear.

My gran had a form of mental illness, not sure exactly what, but she used to hear voices and rant none stop when not properly medicated. When medicated she slept a lot.

My step dad was eventually diagnosed with paranoid schitzophrenia after bugging our home for two years and a few things besides, but he was able to conduct himself normally in every other area of his life except that which concerned my mum.

Few pals depressed and on meds.

Neighbour 'mental breakdown' in past now on meds.

I am not afraid to be in the company of people diagnosed with a mental illness. I pay my neighbor to babysit for me. She is lovely.

My work (in Health) brought me into contact with those with severe psychiatric problems. They could sometimes be threatening. I gave them my patience and support, and when necessary involved the police if they presented a danger to the public.

I try very hard not to argue with those with a mental illness in life or online as their perception of what you say may be off and how they respond may be off. A chap I knew online once said he wanted to burn out my eyes, but I did not react. I was his pal, he was ill and he couldn't help it and that was the bottom line. I got lots of abuse from him over the time I knew him but never saw it as abuse. I saw it as the manifestation of his illness. I am pleased to say that he became well and it was wonderful seeing that transition take place online.

No, we are definitely not in disagreement here. Thank you for clarifying it and I like your response and approach. I've worked in the mental health field for 20 years and yes, your sense of "normal" becomes a bit skewed...way off. Seeing people get better is very heart-warming to me and to see the small changes. A person saying "hello" instead of the first words being a complaint (although those may be the second. LOL!!!). It sounds like you've experience much in having to manage mental illness. Most of the persons that I worked with first were developmentally disabled and had a mental health diagnosis and many with paranoid schizophrenia or other psychosis. Some also were medically fragile, but some weren't. I really like what you said in your second response.

Take care,
Clueless

Thank you Clueless, it's odd but I think my early experience of mental illness actually made me somehow not consider it in the context of the question, hence my first response was 'depression'.

I think it's because it's part of my world and I knew and loved those that suffered.

I can tell you though, also due to my experience this is something I fear above all things. I have experienced irrational thought and depression after the birth of my first child and again when a contraceptive implant disagreed with me and overnight I became suicidal, panicky, anxious, very depressed.

It was a positive experience in the end as it gave me invaluable insight into how dark it can become and thus I have more empathy and understanding of those suffering these same feelings,thoughts.

But it scared the hell out of me and I never want to go back there. It was worse than any physical pain experienced and that includes childbirth. I wanted to claw my way out of my flesh as it felt uncomfortable and every memory of past days was that they were all miserable. Every day of my entire life had been dark and I couldn't see any point in going on.

These feelings came over me in a wave after going on a very pleasant date and then taking a bath. Maybe the heat of the water over stimulated the hormones in the implant.

I had this implant removed. It took 30mins of tugging, pushing and pulling and two men to get it through the scar tissue, they were astounded by my tolerance and patience. I was delighted with every tear of the flesh as I wanted it out so badly.

Anyone feeling depressed, anxious, suicidal should seek professional help and not to be afraid of people knowing you need it. Peace of mind is a very precious thing.

ps. This is the main reason why I am VERY anti drugs. Drug use can lead to mental health problems later on and damn, why do that to yourself?

Thank you for sharing your experience with me. I'd want that think out of me too. I know much about diagnosis both for physical and psychiatric and their medications. As a social worker, I was quite a pain to the physicians and pharmacist as I asked so many questions as I do my own. But, I've seen medications abused by patient and physician and "bad reactions." I"ve even questioned why some of my clients were on medications and the physician terminated the medications with no ill effects. I've had reactions, but I also see the great benefit.

I am diagnosed with borderline personality (sort of...almost don't meet the criteria anymore), major depression and post-traumatic stress disorder and medications are a life saver. I would not be able to function without them and I was fighting taking them at the beginning even though I knew it was a treatment option that I needed due to the severity of my symptoms. A am anti-drugs (in the sense of them being the last resort), but I know when they need to be used. Most medications, do not lead to mental health problems, contrary to what others may say. People with psychosis (hearing voices, seeing/hearing/feeling/smelling/tasting things that are not there) and those with bipolar disorders generally will need them the rest of their lives in order to maintain a chemical balance so that they are not so effected by their symptoms. I am lucky that the goal is for me to eventually be medication free, but that will take a bit more time. Medications combined with therapy is generally the most effective treatment for mental illness. My blog and I am partly about my recovery, what I've been through, to provide information and to dispell myths and misconceptions about mental illness. In case, you were wondering why I was so passionate about this topic.

First class stuff - thanks for the courage CC!

Hi again CC

I meant I am anti 'recreational drugs' like cocaine, heroin,exstasy, acid,cannabis and so on.

I am pro any medication that can alleviate symptoms of these illnesses and I wish you well with your journey.

Thanks Jim and Em.

Creative Blogger, LOL!!!! Well, I am definitely against recreational drug usages. It destroys so many lives.

changes do happen. I know they are the trace of time , adidas f50 adizero,irresistible and inevitable. the moment I saw my father I should not recognize him.I know he is getting old ,but returning home after more than 4moths,the symptoms of old should have grown beyond my imagination. I felt guilt and regret. I know I am the killer who take away his strength and youth.apparently he was pleased that I arrived so early and brought presents for them. when I was young I always thought he was some kind of tyrant , stern and severe.Nike Mercurial Vapor, I thought he was not approachable and touching.while with years passing by, in the process of my growing up and his getting old , these impression fades and instead it is replaced by words as gentle caring and loving . he played cheese and badminton with me, he would sing with me , he cooked for me , he chat with me , he is tolerant of me.my dear father and all my families , I say sorry for my past fault , I know sometimes I just easily surrender myself to the various temptation, and lose myself and my way. but believe me , I just easily surrender myself to the various temptation, and lose myself and my way. football boots,but believe me ,my experience is added over time and I can preserve my values and trace my path to maturity