The greater mental illness: one with a diagnosed condition or one who is bigoted against the mentally ill?!
Question: The greater mental illness: one with a diagnosed condition or one who is bigoted against the mentally ill.?
My mother recently died. She suffered her entire life with bipolar manic depression. At her funeral, I heard a host of comments, such as: "Well, she was such a difficult person!" "You must be so relieved!" "She never understood how to act around others" yadda, yadda, yadda. My in-laws never even came to the funeral because they assume I'm mentally ill because my mother was. So, I ask: who has the greater mental illness: someone with a diagnosed condition or someone who can't tolerate those who are ill.?Health Question & Answer
Answers:
The greater *issue* is intolerance, and ignorance. I think you said it best. Your mother *suffered* with bipolar disorder. She did not ask for it. Don't for one moment think that there were not many times in her life that she deeply regreted the burden that her illness created, to herself, and all those she cared about. But she did not wake up one morning at 19 and choose that for herself. One very rude PP mentioned that they have every right to be concerned since it is hereditary...that is being studied...yes there are interesting findings that speak to that possibility, but I suppose they don't offer support to back up their *concern*, either. And a shame. If you turned up with MS tommorrow...or cancer god forbid, it would be a totally different scenario.
There is a value that cannot be defined placed upon the person or people who offer unconditional love, and support during our very worst hours. And in the throes of whatever illness,mental illness or otherwise, you remember those people, and are grateful. You know you can never repay the kindness, and you know that you may need it again tommorrow, and your forever grateful. It's those people that are capable of being that genuine that did NOT make those kinds of comments at your mother's funeral. Health Question & Answer
There is a value that cannot be defined placed upon the person or people who offer unconditional love, and support during our very worst hours. And in the throes of whatever illness,mental illness or otherwise, you remember those people, and are grateful. You know you can never repay the kindness, and you know that you may need it again tommorrow, and your forever grateful. It's those people that are capable of being that genuine that did NOT make those kinds of comments at your mother's funeral. Health Question & Answer
You are generalizing. Nobody can diagnose anybody without seeing/talking to them first. If your mother was in fact mentally ill - people label bi-polar most everybody nowadays - my suggestion to you is that you pay attention and stop being in denial. You might benefit from therapy. I just spoke to someone recently - an old woman -whose mother very likely was mentally ill, and when she died other people told her things after the funeral and she was offended, just like you. They are trying to help you. Get your head out of the sand. Sorry for your loss and good luck.
PS. Your in-laws are right to worry. Mental illness is hereditary. Even if you are sane, you were raised by someone who was not. I was just reading the other posts. Some should just stick to commenting on fashion.Health Question & Answer
PS. Your in-laws are right to worry. Mental illness is hereditary. Even if you are sane, you were raised by someone who was not. I was just reading the other posts. Some should just stick to commenting on fashion.Health Question & Answer
I'm sorry to hear of your mother's passing.
Honestly, as a psychology major, NOTHING angers me more than ignorance about mental disorders. But I think the better question you're trying to ask is, who has the bigger problem.? Obviously the person with the mental illness will be the one who has the greater mental illness... but you can treat a mental disorder, therefore alleviating the problem. It's possible, but often incredibly hard, to treat intolerance towards people with mental health disorders, so my answer is that the people who judge others with disorders definitely have the bigger problems. Health Question & Answer
Honestly, as a psychology major, NOTHING angers me more than ignorance about mental disorders. But I think the better question you're trying to ask is, who has the bigger problem.? Obviously the person with the mental illness will be the one who has the greater mental illness... but you can treat a mental disorder, therefore alleviating the problem. It's possible, but often incredibly hard, to treat intolerance towards people with mental health disorders, so my answer is that the people who judge others with disorders definitely have the bigger problems. Health Question & Answer
What rude and inconsiderate people! Why did they even go.? That was your mother! And you love her! A mental illness is no different from any other illness. Would they have said, "Oh good thing Harry died from that cancer, he was so irritable.?" What ignorance!
And that is what it is. They are misinformed and ignorant. They think that mentally ill people have a choice. They have no more choice than the person with a physical illness.
And your in-laws think you may have a mental illness as well.? My heart goes out to you! To have suffer this additional burden during this time, is appalling. They should be supporting and loving right now. I hope you do have loving people in your life to help you get through this. I'm so sorry.Health Question & Answer
And that is what it is. They are misinformed and ignorant. They think that mentally ill people have a choice. They have no more choice than the person with a physical illness.
And your in-laws think you may have a mental illness as well.? My heart goes out to you! To have suffer this additional burden during this time, is appalling. They should be supporting and loving right now. I hope you do have loving people in your life to help you get through this. I'm so sorry.Health Question & Answer
your right mate the ones who cant tolerate it.mental illness is so misunderstood and how someone could say such a thing to you is pure evil in my opinion.it wasnt your mothers fault people with this illness can be cured but people dont care and dont know how to.most can be cured by god others can be cured medically but without the help how is it possible.?i have suffered with it so i am experineced not sjust sayiing it.in a way its probly best for here to go to heaven than to stay here so think of it that way and trust me she will watch over you untill you join her.Health Question & Answer
I would say the greater mental illness would be the ones of people who refuse to try to understand or tolerate those who are ill.
however, having a mental illness myself, and the fact that it runs in my family makes me a bit biased.Health Question & Answer
however, having a mental illness myself, and the fact that it runs in my family makes me a bit biased.Health Question & Answer
Definitely someone who can't tolerate those who are ill. Some of these disease seem weird and creepy, but they happen, and they're still normal, good people because of the disease. People who can't tolerate ill people are NOT good people.Health Question & Answer
I truly hope she was on medication. Lithium does help and one can live a near normal life with regular visits to the Doctor.
By the way.... its not a question of tolerance... its a simple case of fear. Yes, fear.
Health Question & Answer
By the way.... its not a question of tolerance... its a simple case of fear. Yes, fear.
Health Question & Answer
Someone who can't tolerate the ill.
I hate that so much, they're people and they have feelings.
They can think, they just have a disorder.Health Question & Answer
I hate that so much, they're people and they have feelings.
They can think, they just have a disorder.Health Question & Answer