Posted by IsoM on May 24, 2002, at 0:42:09
In reply to how do YOU handle the mental illness question?, posted by terra miller on May 23, 2002, at 9:44:23
I handle it with pride & dignity & to hell with the stupid people. Notice I didn't say ignorant? If someone truly is ignorant, in other words, doesn't know much about it, I try to educate them as much as they wish. No overkill.
I have ADHD, narcolepsy, & depression. If someone is to ask me if I'm mentally ill, I look at them in horror & say "what constitutes mental illness? Who decides what is & isn't?" I don't consider myself mentally ill in the least & will say so.
I consider someone who's bigoted, someone not wanting to learn about the world around them, someone cruel, hateful, & spiteful as mentally ill - not what we are! And I speak it plainly.
When you start discussing the concept of mental illness in this way with others, you'd be surprised at how much others will open to you, telling about problems in their own life & that of their families. We need to let others know & believe for themselves that there should be NO stigma attached to the "emotional" ills so many suffer with today.
poster:IsoM
thread:96
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20020516/msgs/110.html