What would you do if you found out someone you admired because of a mental disorder?

Question

i dont expect you all to say "I'd quti talking to em" ir I'd ignore them, but if a parent was later declared paranoid after many years of intstucting you, and they shaped all of your beliefs, what would run through your mind? would you reevaluate your thoughts? Would you go on to believe what they told you as right as you once did? Serious answere please. Not making any judgements...just curious

Answer 1

I'd believe them over the average person. Some people mistake mental disorders for the real thought processes. Like the old cliche "it's a fine line between genius and insanity".

Granted some mental disorders lead to more violent behavior. But, has anyone considered that maybe they have a valid cause for it, other than a "short circuit". Maybe they discovered the truth about life or the universe and it pissed them off. I'd believe more on that side.

the trouble is "normal" people can't comprehend thinking about much of anything outside their own private lives and comfort zones, so they fear anything that is "odd". It's a natural reaction but a stupid one and rude judgement in my opinion.

It's like the logic of because the majority of the population believes in God, anyone that questions it must be labeled an athiest and cast out from religious social groups. Perhaps the majority really are suffering from mass histeria. Maybe the athiests are right. The problem is anyone that believes in God, will seldom welcome any other possibility, whether true or not.

Answer 2

It would really depend on what kind of mental illness. If it was bipolar disorder or something that really affected judgment I would re-evaluate the advice.

However I would say you must look at the advice and examine if it was advice that has helped you and served you well in situations. The shock that someone you trusted has something deep that you didnt realise doesnt mean that the whole relationship was valueless.

I had a situation like this where the person was a big drinker and I very much valued her opinions which shapes the person I am today. She had flaws which made her human I am only sad that the wisdom she gave me didnt save her life.

This is one where you will have to search your heart and make a considered not snap decision.

Good luck

Answer 3

I don't see why your behavior towards the parent needs to change. I think you should still admire them for all the years of self sacrifice and time they have put into you and for all they have taught you. There is no need to re-evaluate what you have been taught, since it wasn't until later on they become paranoid. So it doesn't make sense to question it, you admire your parent, so therefore you must have been happy with their instruction.
Being paranoid due to stresses of life etc, does not make your parent any less a person then they were before and I think you should still go on admiring and giving them plenty of love, compassion and support.

Answer 4

We all have some kind of mental disorder. To what degree is the paranoia? Teens and twentys usually discover that their parents are not perfect and resent them for it. Yet, there is wisdom there still, they are people,not Gods and thus human have faults. I have addressed the reality of my parents mental stability since I was 12 and honestly, I still address the reality, but I know that they are kind and wise in their own way, so take it all for what it is and don't judge. Just get an education and become your own person.

Answer 5

I'm not sure what you're asking. Are you saying that you had a parent who was diagnosed with a mental disorder? There are many mental disorders, and it doesn't necessarily mean that the person doesn't have rational thoughts; however, it wouldn't hurt to question what you're taught anyway, regardless of whether what you learned came from a person with a mental disorder or not.

Answer 6

If we are dealing with arguments, that point to facts, the one who formulates it is erase-able. That's the upshot of the ad hominem fallacy. I say this KNOWING my parents, and MOST suffer alot of stress and make horrible choices, yell and scream, etc. Did I question how they treated us as children? yes. We had to question the entire social dynamic because it was obviously not working. And maybe it took me years to realize that the problem wasn't the person screaming and threatening but all the exigencies that made this rage and anger manifest.

If they command authority.. they act AS IF they are the paradigm for truth, what is the basis other than the worth of their life? And if that's not valuable.. i.e. the miserable are only conferring or deferring misery, then of course much is questionable.

Answer 7

It really doesn't matter whether your parent had a mental disorder or not; part of growing up is learning to think for yourself. This means questioning everything you've been taught in order to discover if it's true or not. Anything that can't stand the test of close, logical scrutinty should be discarded.

Answer 8

No, first of all, you should not have one person determining your whole life, but I know what you mean. Think of it this way. We are all very good at telling people how they should run their lives. When in fact our lifes may be turned upside down. This being thcase with your friend? They may know even better how someone should be living their life. They just have to give the opposite advice they have been taking to get their lifes so messed up. Just like drug addicts and drunks helping eachother to stay sober, we, (I am a recovering alcoholic and drug addict) know exactly what type of advice to give another drunk or druggie but at times have trouble listening to or taking our own advice. So as it goes in life I am sure to this will apply.

Answer 9

I grew up with a crazy mom she did strange things. Had a lot of strange ideas. It was not till about 3 years ago that we found out she was bipolar. but I have to say I rethought a lot of stuff long before she was diagnosed. I think that once you get out on your own you start to rethink things because you see them through new eyes. I feel that if you don't look at the world around you with new respect once your out on your own then you miss a lot of what is happening and you will never learn to think for yourself.

Answer 10

The phrase "Because of" makes your Q ambiguous.
Do you mean
"The things you admired in a person were THE RESULT OF a mental disorder" - for instance, he was neat and tidy because of OCD -

or

"someone you admired HAD a mental disorder" - for instance, a much-admired coach/teacher/scout leader/parent had been taking andti-depressants all his life?

Your details make it sound like the latter. If so, I'd admire his courage.