Posted by dogboy on March 25, 2003, at 12:45:03
Hi everyone...
I'm pondering issues to do with the mental health 'closet'.
My background is a 14-yr history of clinical depression, under control at the moment with medication, which is to say that I don't find day-to-day living a struggle any more. Some days I even feel quite content.
On the other hand, I still have emotional / social problems. My self-confidence and self-esteem are fundamentally poor. Life is pretty grey, and my moods are low. I am gosh darn tooting lonely, having been single for the last 8(!) years now.Don't get me wrong! Life is so much better for me now than it was when I just constantly wanted to die all the time. I am glad to be alive.
But the question is, to what extent can I be open about all this with 'normal' people? What's the right balance to strike between constantly pretending you are 100% fine, and at the other extreme regaling strangers with anecdotes about your suicide attempts?
Some people in the mental health movement compare the issue with gay rights, and advocate 'coming out' publicly. There is even a Mad Pride organisation.
Part of me says 'I can see that logic' and part of me says 'Mad Pride? Are you insane?! Might as well just get your willy out in public!'.*What do you chaps think?
(* Which, before anyone suggests it, NO WAY.)
poster:dogboy
thread:212561
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030322/msgs/212561.html