Posted by B2chica on May 11, 2004, at 15:36:49
In reply to priceless quote from parent, posted by Emme on May 11, 2004, at 11:36:29
Sorry so long but had Lots to comment on.
> Okay, so I was nice and went to see my mother for Mother's Day.
the question here is did you do this for Her or for You? Even on the beloved mothers day you should only go to see her if it's what You want, and if you feel up to it. I did not, i was having a rough weekend, i'm lucky i could even call her on the phone...i hate to say this but luckily she was taking a nap when i called and so she was ready to get off the phone real quick.
>stigma. Growing up, I absorbed the idea that people who were referred to as "mentally disturbed" were really abnormal, weird people who were incapable of normal human relationships. People you just don't want to be around. People who "need help". "Them"
-just to give your mom a little break, even so close as 30 years ago, Mental illness was equated with institutions. That even the slightest "signs" meant that society shunned you (because they were afraid of the unknown, that there is a chance it was contagious) and you were grouped with "others of your kind", a type of control, same with people with disabilities (which by the way MI and physical disabilities often were clumped together). Way before that- having "this" in your family was a sign of weakness in breading and if it was known, no one would want to marry your children, sometimes your family would be shunned and forced to move outside the city or straight into poverty (i'm talking loooooong time ago here guys).
Anyway, from generation to generation this was a SEVERE fear and stigma passed down. Should it be that way now?? NO, you'd think things would have changed ALOT since this is 2004, however, remember that some schools were still segregated back in the 80's and i mean 1980's not 1880's! So society is just real slow and it takes people standing up and saying "see! i have this and i'm no different than you". this will cause fear and drawback, however the more it's out there, the more people hear this, the more it becomes part of their environment...thus exceptance.
See how easy that is? you only have to beat people over the head with a big stick inorder for them to have acceptance and nonjudgment??
:)
> I don't know why, but at the moment I'm having a tough time with the concept of myself as having a mental illness. I go through phases of accepting it as I would any other illness, and phases of really feeling defective. I'm having a hard time saying "mood disorder" or "depression".Don't feel bad about this, i think we've all been there, mostly due to the stigma that was passed down to us. But ask yourself, before you had the label did you think of yourself as "defective"? or just unwell, sad, confused and maybe different? Don't let a label tell you your "ill" (which i still believe it's a difference not illness-right texaschic!)
i personally prefer affective disorder or just plain Bipolar2, and yes i make sure and say 2 cuz most people only think there's one kind.
and besides, who says you have to "say" anything. it's who you are, it's part of you. you don't need to walk around with a sign on. Just be you. Just get mad if your mad, feel sad, feel happy, feel lonley, feel numb, it's part of you. Then hold your chin up-get your @ss to the pdoc and try some drug combo's cuz you shouldn't have to live being sad all the time.
>Maybe I'm just maxxed out on it.
BINGO. sometimes i just get SICK of it, it seems like i'm always focused or thinking about my emotions...i get sick of that.
Go outside, get a pet, garden, go to the library (and go straight to the fiction side).
and when you have questions or just want to talk with people who understand...come here, you're ALWAYS Welcome.take care.
B2c.
poster:B2chica
thread:345714
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20040507/msgs/345814.html