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Post by lynxy on Feb 26, 2013 15:54:20 GMT -5
There is a member of my family with mental illness. He's a bipolar paranoid schizophrenic. When I was little he kind of scared me because I could tell something was wrong, but I didn't understand what. He's been in several facilities over the years and been treated who-knows-how-many ways. His episodes can go a few different ways, depending if the bipolar aspect puts him in a high or low. He's been a mafia target, the cause of a random couple's breakup, Jesus, Satan, and other scenarios. Even with all the progress society has made for various groups, the mentally ill are still not always given the time or respect needed. Nothing like Greystone (which he was in for a stint), but it's still a topic people are not talking about enough. Sometimes when someone mentions a mentally ill person the assumption is they're talking about a crazy person. There's a big difference between mentally ill and crazy and unless we understand that we're just being ignorant of the situation.
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Post by Breelagh on Feb 26, 2013 23:49:18 GMT -5
I'm sorry to hear about your family member, lynxy. I totally agree with you that the mentally ill are not given the time and patience they need to be cared for/understood. And you're right, just because someone has a mental illness, doesn't mean that they are "crazy." Our society doesn't give many people chances who have mental illnesses. They often don't feel like dealing with these people, so they put them straight into a mental institution, immediately put the on medication, or just simply ignore their desperate need for help. The mentally ill need to be heard, talked to, cared for, and simply given attention. Awareness also needs to be spread about their condition, and further research done to help cure their illness.
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Post by Wordman on Mar 22, 2013 1:14:22 GMT -5
That's unfortunate that your family member has to deal with that diagnosis. I'm sure it is also very difficult for you and your family. You make a great point in saying that mentally ill people are not necessarily crazy. I know many crazy people who have a perfectly normal balance of chemicals in their brains. I am a firm believer that almost any mental illness can be treated by communication, rather than just doping the mentally ill up on drugs. I hope that your family member soon gets the respect he deserves.
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Post by Mr.LovePeace&Happiness on Mar 22, 2013 7:02:38 GMT -5
It seems we have a culture of misinformation and disinformation. I think we need better education starting in elementary school. as the gun debate shows we also need better mental health recognition, understanding, help, etc.
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Post by Breelagh on Mar 24, 2013 16:50:27 GMT -5
I agree, Wordman. Some people need medicine, although many people do not. Talking it out is the best way to heal any mental illnesses/issues.
Mr. LPH, I also agree with you. Our culture is definitely misinformed, and that needs to be changed in public schools. And yes, people with mental health issues definitely need more care and the issue needs to be paid more attention to.
Lynxy, I hope your uncle is cared for in the best way. All the best.
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Post by lynxy on Apr 1, 2013 22:57:03 GMT -5
Thanks for your support you guys. I'm happy this place is here so we can get out our feelings.
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Post by Breelagh on Apr 2, 2013 15:01:15 GMT -5
Thanks for your support you guys. I'm happy this place is here so we can get out our feelings. Of course! Anytime, Lynxy. That's what we are here for.
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nett
Rookie
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Post by nett on Apr 30, 2013 23:20:40 GMT -5
Hello! I'm new here. I was so happy to see a section that deals with mental illness! I rarely (if ever) find a site that speaks intelligently about mental illness, so thank you. I deal with BiPolar Affective Disorder - Type II, which is the milder form of the illness. I have had success in finding a single medication that keeps my mood swings in check. I have learned not to tell most people that I deal with this disorder because I have been dismissed too many times by those who don't understand. I have to know someone very well before I am comfortable sharing. It's not that I feel embarrassed, it's more that I want people to see that mental illness can be handled and many people live full, rich lives despite the challenges. I would love to be part of a campaign to raise awareness about BiPolar in particular and mental illness in general. BiPolar II is one of the least dangerous mental conditions overall. It took me six years to get the medications figured out, but then I was able to hold a job, go to school, and interact with others in meaningful ways. I hold a BA and I'm halfway through a Master's. I noticed that early on, I used to say, "I am BiPolar", now I say,"I have BiPolar" I've never heard anyone say, "I am cancer" Thank you for allowing me to share. I hope this helps others if they learn that someone they know has BiPolar AD.
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Post by Wordman on May 1, 2013 0:49:26 GMT -5
Hello! I'm new here. I was so happy to see a section that deals with mental illness! I rarely (if ever) find a site that speaks intelligently about mental illness, so thank you. I deal with BiPolar Affective Disorder - Type II, which is the milder form of the illness. I have had success in finding a single medication that keeps my mood swings in check. I have learned not to tell most people that I deal with this disorder because I have been dismissed too many times by those who don't understand. I have to know someone very well before I am comfortable sharing. It's not that I feel embarrassed, it's more that I want people to see that mental illness can be handled and many people live full, rich lives despite the challenges. I would love to be part of a campaign to raise awareness about BiPolar in particular and mental illness in general. BiPolar II is one of the least dangerous mental conditions overall. It took me six years to get the medications figured out, but then I was able to hold a job, go to school, and interact with others in meaningful ways. I hold a BA and I'm halfway through a Master's. I noticed that early on, I used to say, "I am BiPolar", now I say,"I have BiPolar" I've never heard anyone say, "I am cancer" Thank you for allowing me to share. I hope this helps others if they learn that someone they know has BiPolar AD. Hello, Nett! Thank you for choosing to join us here! We are glad to have you! I am so glad that you have your disorder under control and that you are conquering it! People have the choice to surrender or to keep on fighting and you are a fighter! Congratulations on all of your accomplishments! What are you studying in school? What you said last really resonated with me! We are not a part of our illness! Our illness is a part of us! A part that we can battle!
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Post by Mr.LovePeace&Happiness on May 2, 2013 7:48:01 GMT -5
Hello! I'm new here. I was so happy to see a section that deals with mental illness! I rarely (if ever) find a site that speaks intelligently about mental illness, so thank you. I deal with BiPolar Affective Disorder - Type II, which is the milder form of the illness. I have had success in finding a single medication that keeps my mood swings in check. I have learned not to tell most people that I deal with this disorder because I have been dismissed too many times by those who don't understand. I have to know someone very well before I am comfortable sharing. It's not that I feel embarrassed, it's more that I want people to see that mental illness can be handled and many people live full, rich lives despite the challenges. I would love to be part of a campaign to raise awareness about BiPolar in particular and mental illness in general. BiPolar II is one of the least dangerous mental conditions overall. It took me six years to get the medications figured out, but then I was able to hold a job, go to school, and interact with others in meaningful ways. I hold a BA and I'm halfway through a Master's. I noticed that early on, I used to say, "I am BiPolar", now I say,"I have BiPolar" I've never heard anyone say, "I am cancer" Thank you for allowing me to share. I hope this helps others if they learn that someone they know has BiPolar AD. Hey welcome to the forum! how do you feel about the tightrope analogy? I felt it was app for the falls and downs, but failed to convey the magic and wonder of the manic state.
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nett
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Post by nett on May 2, 2013 19:17:31 GMT -5
Hello! Thank you for responding to my post! I'm still trying to figure out how all the buttons work in here....LOL! So to Wordman: Thank you! For me, getting control of my illness is a combination of three factors 1)Being blessed to only have type II, 2)Getting my medications figured out, and 3)Learning what my major triggers were. These aspects are closely intertwined, but I now know that if I have someone to talk with at the right time, it can change my brain chemistry and get me back on track very quickly. I am a fighter and I own responsibility for my illness as much as others are responsible for the whole of their bodies. I had a complete and total breakdown about two years ago because one of my big triggers is not having a good support system. I was working on my Master's, being a TA, and working as a graduate student director in a public speaking lab on campus. I got into trouble because I was always stressed out from having to meet homework deadlines. I just didn't have enough time to get it all done. I ended up having a meltdown that ended my educational career and everything else for that matter. I would recommend to those who are newly diagnosed: Pay attention to your limits! It can make all the difference between success and failure for any given circumstance. I am now fighting my way back from this unfortunate situation, but I have reason to beleive that I will be successful. My studies were in the field of communication...LOL! Now my long posts make more sense I was working on A Master's in Communication Studies. When you mention that talking was a good form of therapy, I was nodding my head in agreement wholeheartedly!! Yes, talking can actually change one's brain chemistry. It needs to be more affordable to anyone who deals with any kind of mental illness. I also agree with the thoughts about early educational awareness in our schools. So thank you again for responding!
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nett
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Post by nett on May 2, 2013 19:30:17 GMT -5
To Mr. LPH, I appreciate the welcome from you both! Thank you for responding as well. I didn't see the post where a tightrope analogy was used; however, if you would like to share it with me, I would love to hear it. I related to your comment about the magic and wonder of the manic state. I think that is a beautiful phrase. I agree totally! My manic states are what gets me over my fears, helps me engage with others, allows me to dream big, and a few other things which are really great. My problem isn't so much the manic times, it's the crash to depression. Perhaps on a sub-conscience level, this is why I"m afraid of heights....LOL! I know I finally refused to take both anti-depressants and mood stabilizer medications at the same time. It squeezes my emotional range down too much. The only time I was ever truly suicidal was while on both medications. I felt like I had the emotional range of of a piece of cardboard. I missed the beautiful soaring heights and access to emotions like joy and wonder while manic. So now I only take a mood stabilizer and it does wonders, at least for me. I get to enjoy being high, but not too high, and low, but not suicidal. I can access the manic energy to pull me through tough tasks as long as I have the right people to talk to and stay level headed through the stress. So again, I thank you!!!
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Post by Breelagh on May 2, 2013 22:00:57 GMT -5
Nett, Welcome to the forum! We are glad to have you here. Thank you for being so open about this part of your life. I believe that we go through certain problems in our lives so that we can one day help others with the same problems we had, once we have overcome them. I am a firm believer of that. How can we really help someone unless we have gone through what they are going through, anyway? I think that the true key here is being able to relate to others. People need to know they are not alone in their problems. This makes them feel supported, which as you said is what you needed most during the time of your meltdown. And I agree that we need to know our limitations! I think we all do. They are not so much limitations as they are guidelines, to show us where we can go and what we can do now. We can do anything, however we need to keep these things in mind in our daily lives to show us who we truly are and what our full potentials are. Hope to hear more from you! Breelagh
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Post by Mr.LovePeace&Happiness on May 6, 2013 21:50:06 GMT -5
It's something i learned about when i took psychology courses. as well as a book on manic depression/bipolar. I'll see if i can find you some links and such.give me a day or so.
More in depth response to come bed time work in the am
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