Posted by helenag on May 31, 2004, at 23:43:34
In reply to Re: Cold Heartless Psychiatrists (some not all) » Questionmark, posted by almondjoy on May 29, 2004, at 23:06:34
An acquaintance of mine who is an advocate for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) and travels around the country, (he himself suffers greatly and you'd never find a more open person to go to when yourself are in need of a shoulder) said something really neat.
To a scoffer at a recent conference who was questioning him about mental illness, this fellow said: "Sir, this is no such thing as a 'NORMAL PERSON.' You just have not yet been diagnosed nor had an incident."
Here, here!!
No one needs to accept a sentence of feeling a certain way for the rest of his or her life. Mental illnesses can be managed; we can learn to live with our symptoms the best we can; we don't have to throw up our hands and give up hope.
And I have been on the edge of giving up hope, believe me. The hospital bills are still coming in. I have tried many many drug cocktails. My story is not unlike many of yours.
However, I am certain that learning to live within the limitations of mental illness is one way to escape that hell of a lie that my life will always be dark and void of meaning.
poster:helenag
thread:350183
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040527/msgs/352578.html