Mental Illnesses

[pastelspectre]

So. My discussion for today is, mental illness. What do you think of mental illnesses? Do you have any? Do you think the people who suffer from mental illnesses deserve it? What do you suggest they do about it? For people who self harm because of their mental illness (or even attention), what do you think of that?

-Personally, I think mental illnesses are sad. I feel bad for people that have them. I wish people didn't have to suffer. Yes, I have a mental disorder/illness. I have mild/moderate depression (used to be severe but I've gotten it slightly under check) and mild/moderate general anxiety/social anxiety. Personally, I don't think the people who suffer from mental illnesses deserve it. I wish they didn't have them and didn't suffer. I suggest they get help or talk/tell someone about what's going on, even if it's difficult. For people who self harm for mental illness, I feel bad for them. I wish they weren't suffering so badly that they felt the need to do that to themselves. For the ones that do it for attention, stop making it look like a joke, thanks.

So um. Just answer the questions and whatnot, I guess and have a discussion and see how it goes from there. I apologize if there's already a thread on this.. ;;

 

[gimmepie]

Could you maybe be a bit more specific about what you want to discuss? I'm alright with this conversation broadening out as we go but "Mental Illness" isn't much of a place to start.

 

[pastelspectre]

Hm.. I guess moreso like, depression and anxiety. Self harm. Stuff like that? Basically stuff that people suffer with that affects their mood. Like, even Bipolar disorder, BPD, other things like that. Is that specific enough ;;

 

[gimmepie]

Hm.. I guess moreso like, depression and anxiety. Self harm. Stuff like that? Basically stuff that people suffer with that affects their mood. Like, even Bipolar disorder, BPD, other things like that. Is that specific enough ;;

It's better, but what about it do you want to discuss? Coping mechanisms? How it effects people? Social stigmas?

I'm happy to actually go over all of the above and more but I need one clear spot to start xD

 

[pastelspectre]

i asked questions in my original post about it, if that helps clear things up.. the text is sort of small so i don't blame you if you missed it

 

[gimmepie]

i asked questions in my original post about it, if that helps clear things up.. the text is sort of small so i don't blame you if you missed it

I didn't miss anything at all... it's just that's not really much of a starting point at all. You ask several questions about things that are only vaguely related which leave the thread with no direction to really go. Still, I'll bite I guess.


What do you think of mental illnesses?
I think they suck. They cause people untold amounts of suffering and are very poorly understood due to misconceptions and poor visibility.

Do you have any?
I have both a generalized anxiety disorder and some form of depression. I also have autism but that's a behavioural disorder not a mental illness - not that most people can tell the difference.

Do you think the people who suffer from mental illnesses deserve it?
This is extremely subjective. How am I meant to define whether or not someone deserves something? As a general rule I assume not, but there's plenty of people with mental illnesses who are also terrible people. So it obviously depends on the person more than anything and on the person doing the judging too.

What do you suggest they do about it?
Which one?

As a general rule though, I think treatment of some variety is the main thing. I'd prefer to see people steer away from medication if they can, but if they need it they need it. Public education is also good.

For people who self harm because of their mental illness (or even attention), what do you think of that?
I think it's a clear sign that whatever your doing to combat your illness is not enough. As for attention seekers, they just annoy me because it cheapens the problems of those who are actually suffering and is a big part of all the misconceptions around.

 

[pastelspectre]

for the question for what do you suggest they do about it, i mean for mental illness in general. i apologize if this thread is too general eep ;; uhm. we could also talk about behavior disorders and stuff? ah i'm bad at making threads.. i was just hoping with other people answering the questions, it'd open up more for discussion if anyone had any negative thoughts on it or like, replies to other peoples answers to the questions and stuff,,

 

[Aquacorde]

I think the struggle with mental illness is a very real and difficult thing, but there is such a huge spectrum of mental illnesses that it's very hard to discuss them all collectively. The behaviour of a person with anxiety is vastly different than someone with ASD. Even within a particular category, the severity of each person's illness, their awareness of it, the steps they have taken to overcome it, and their experiences as completely different people makes their reactions, stressors, etc very unlike each other. What works for some will not work for others. Some people disassociate, some find aid in their beliefs, some completely immerse themselves in whatever they find interesting. Some people develop maladaptive coping mechanisms, and some work out something healthy. Some people get help or get medication and some are fine without, or refuse treatment.

There is absolutely no way I believe anyone can definitively decide on something all people with mental illness should do to help themselves. There is no one right thing. The best I can do for anyone is suggest things to try out and encourage their progress.

 

[Corrin]

As someone who suffers from multiple mental illnesses, I can say for certain that it does suck. The worst of it is people who don't understand who think you're just "exaggerating" when we're really not ;_;
It takes years of therapy to help, and not everyone can afford or has access to therapy so it's really hard. I'm lucky to be able to get the help I need.

 

[Hands]

I think society on a whole has a pretty poor grasp of mental illness. My sister has bad anxiety and I can't count how many time our parents have said things like "you'll feel better if you go see your friends" which is insanity, you wouldn't tell someone with polio to go watch a movie because it'll make them feel better.

I think a lot of it is ignorance over malicious intent though, a lot of people simply do not understand mental illness. We should do more to educate ourselves and others about it.

 

[Esper]

I think a lot of it is ignorance over malicious intent though, a lot of people simply do not understand mental illness. We should do more to educate ourselves and others about it.

I agree. There are a lot of people who don't really know the first thing about mental illness. That's fine, or it would be fine, but sometimes these people react badly when you try to educate them or you insist you have a justifiable need for some help. Then you get the "you're just faking" and "why don't you just get over it" and all the rest. You know, the backfire effect.

 

[Caaethil]

So. My discussion for today is, mental illness. What do you think of mental illnesses?

They suck, I guess?

Do you have any?

Mental illness is pretty broad. High functioning autist here, if that counts.

Do you think the people who suffer from mental illnesses deserve it?

No, I think to believe that you'd either have to be some kind of sociopath, or deeply religious. That's not supposed to be an insult to anyone by the way, the fact is that unfortunately some do believe that people with mental illnesses are being punished by God. It's a shame.

What do you suggest they do about it?

They should get help.

For people who self harm because of their mental illness (or even attention), what do you think of that?

They should get help.

 

[Hands]

I agree. There are a lot of people who don't really know the first thing about mental illness. That's fine, or it would be fine, but sometimes these people react badly when you try to educate them or you insist you have a justifiable need for some help. Then you get the "you're just faking" and "why don't you just get over it" and all the rest. You know, the backfire effect.

I know, it's awful. I've had this argument with my parents several times over my sister. "Well she didn't used to be like this" well no hash mother, I didn't used to have a fake tooth but things happen in life.

 

[gimmepie]

I think I'll answer the questions GP sorted for you (thanks for that gimme!)

What do you think of mental illnesses?
What I think... is that mental illness needs to stop being romanticized. Sometimes, it's not good to accept what you are, even if it feels empowering. Of course, there's some mental handicaps that just can't be fixed or dealt with, but that's not what you're talking about.

The thing that goes hand in hand with the romanticization of mental illness is people that have started wearing their 'quirks' or whatever you want to call them as badges of sorts. Like, I know people that seem to be proud of being depressed or having anxiety. Because apparently it makes them interesting and/or special somehow.

Do you have any?
I have gender dysphoria.

Do you think the people who suffer from mental illnesses deserve it?
I don't understand this question. There's no such thing as "deserving."

What do you suggest they do about it?
If someone believes they are mentally ill, and go as far as to stick that label onto themselves, I think it's a rule of thumb that they should find help/treatment. Because, no matter what, illnesses in general are meant to be treated. At least, that's the goal.

The latest craze is to, as I mentioned before, romanticize mental illness. "Oh yeah, I'm mentally ill. So what? It makes me unique."

To make an extreme comparison, a person suffering from cancer might as well say "Oh yeah, I have cancer. So what? It makes me special."

I follow the 'you know yourself best' rule, so, of course there are exceptions. But in a broad sense, people should seek treatment for mental illness.

For people who self harm because of their mental illness (or even attention), what do you think of that?
This question is kind of pointless. Self-harm of any kind is... bad. It means you're coping with whatever is going on with you in a really poor way.


P.S.
The broad spectrum of mental illness that exists nowadays means that this post obviously won't apply to everything. Everyone has their own issues they need to deal with in their own ways. Basically, I don't think people are dealing with them properly anymore.

I wish I could like this post more times.
The romanticizing of mental illness definitely has to stop. Being ill doesn't make you special or interesting, it means you need help and sometimes even makes you a danger to yourself and/or others.

 

[pastelspectre]

oh tell me about it.. i hate people who are like "i'm depressed and proud of it!" or "i self harm and i show everyone haha!" like..no. i had a friend who self harmed, in like the most obvious places (her hands, even) and she would show them off and be like "look at what i did!" and it was so insulting.. when i self harmed (i'm recovering) i never showed anyone, really (except my best friend and that was in private) and i hid it from lots of people with long sleeves and stuff.

however yes, the romanticization needs to stop of mental illnesses. honestly, i try to tell myself every day that my mental illness doesn't define me. it doesn't make me, me. but that's just me. *shrug* i do hate people who say that "i'm depressed and i love it" and stuff like that. it gets under my skin.

 

[Palamon]

What do you think of mental illnesses?
They suck. I'm also fishy about when people "self-diagnose" themselves, but people will be people.

Do you have any?
That's not anyone's business, but I'm not neurotypical. If that helps.

Do you think the people who suffer from mental illnesses deserve it?
No.

What do you suggest they do about it?
DO NOT romanticize it is one! Mental illness is a serious thing, if you think you have one, then seek a professional, and don't just label yourself. =/

For people who self harm because of their mental illness (or even attention), what do you think of that?
Some mental illnesses have different symptoms but...self harm is never good. Also, not everyone is comfortable with "getting help" so that's not really a good answer, in my opinion. Anyway, what I think of that is people will be people, and people cope in different ways.