What Not To Do When Dealing With Someone Who Is Mentally Unwell Part Two
Labels: mental-health-care 2 commentsI wrote What Not To Do When Someone Is Mentally Unwell and it has proven to be a rather popular post based on the number of times viewed and the amount of times it has been stolen. Lets give part two a shot
1. Treat Mental Illness like it is a character flaw and not an actually medical disorder. The number of people who die from mental illness rivals that of most major diseases and forms of cancer yet we are pushed into the far corner of the waiting room.
2. Use Stupid Sayings. Tommorow is going to be a better day and Just do not think about it are the two I hear most often and neither one sends out happy chemicals in my brain. Tomorrow may be a better day but I have been waiting years for tomorrow to show up. As for not thinking about it well stick your arm in a fryer and don't think about the pain
3. Ignore Warning Signs. Yes the person in front of you may be using suicidal gestures to get your attention but what happens if they are not. Want a scary thought I have heard the following statement on numerous health forums and psych wards "I am going to kill myself just to prove them wrong. Using suicidal threats falls under mental problems that will get you put on a psych ward for a good reason.
4. Using One Basic Thought To Cover Everyone With The Same Disorder. I have Borderline Personality the so called leper disease of the mental health world but the differences between me and the next person with the diagnosis can vary quite a bit. Don't look at the disorder and judge what type of person they are look at the poor schmuck suffering from the disorder.
5. Believing That One Treatment Is A Cure All For Everyone. It is great that a certain treatment made you all warm and fuzzy inside but that does not mean it will have the same effect on me. I have been on multiple medications, undergone shock therapy, seen one to many incompetent therapists and have spent the last few years basically trying to cure myself and I can clearly say that the treatment of the mentally unwell is as unique as the person themselves.
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June 11, 2009 6:09 AM
My fav is "just toughen up and do what you gotta do". that whole attitude of "I have bad days too, but i go to work and do what i gotta do"
June 20, 2009 1:27 AM
I can't stand it when people say "You just need to snap out of it" or like "You just need to snap out of it and get out of the house." or something similar. I also agree with dirty girl on the whole "just toughen up and do what you gotta do" or "I have bad days too, but I go to work and do what I gotta do" thing, as if I am going through this because I am weak or because I don't know how to "do what I gotta do" It really sucks!!