What do you think people think of mental illness?

Answer 1

Everybody thinks people with a mental illness are crazy, weak, psycho, and lame -- until they, or a friend or family member gets a mental illness. Especially if they're the one that gets it. Then, suddenly their view on mental illness changes completely.

Since so many people seem to have some kind of mental illness or another, its becoming more "accepted" as a true illness, not just the wierd actings of a psychopath. At some point in the future, I assume everybody will consider mental illness just another, regular disease.

Answer 2

There is an obvious stigma attached to mental illness but it goes much farther then that. Psychiatrists are actually doing much more harm then good to their patients. Just about all of them are in bed with the drug companies and this is a very dangerous situation. It must end NOW. Shrinks hand out anti depressants as if they were nothing more then halloween candy and it was recently discovered that prozac, zoloft, wellbutrin and paxil can cause suicidal thoughts in ALL PATIENTS. The myth that they only cause these problems in teens is dead wrong. The truth of the matter is that teens are human beings as well. And if these drugs are causing serious problems then NOBODY should take these POISONS.

The sad part about victims with mental illness is that very little if anything can be done to help these poor ufortunate people. Shrinks are pathetic cowards who constantly screw up and will never accept responsibility for these screwups.

end of story

Answer 3

Sadly enough I think most people think that we're just too different to understand or to deal with.... as long as they're able to avoid being around us they just don't really care.

I think it is very important that we, the mentally ill who can do so, are out there being ourselves. The public needs examples of what our illnesses are about and how we can overcome odds and do something constructive. After all "what is normal" anyway. So, I'm moody, I'm over-emotional! But I'm not stupid. There's a lot I could to contribute if society didn't keep me down in so many ways- without most people even recognizing it. For ex. I have SSDI (social security disability income), which means I worked for years and paid into the system. I retired at 42 for all intents and purpose. I don't receive any kind of welfare. And I can't live on it. As a result I've spent much time homeless. But I also have a master's degree which I worked very hard to get and would like to be able to use to contribute to better the world around me. That's kind of hard to do living out of my truck- never knowing when I'll get a shower, be able to wash my clothes, just being able to find things I need to live- organizing! I could do that if I had a small efficiency apt. of my own- then I could work, or at least volunteer and use my education and experience.

I almost froze last winter- my mother let me come here for awhile. I looked everywhere to for work, anything I could do. I do have limitations and I know what they are and am not stupid enough to try something that I know I'll fail at. But there have been things I could do, just no one will give me the job because of the gaps in my employment. And vocational rehabilitation here will only help if I'm getting off disability- and I know I can't do that. I do have limitations, many are for medical conditions- as I'm middle aged and had a rough life- all the diseases of the elderly are mine now.

But as long as no one is tripping over my body in the streets, no one's going to do anything to change things to allow me to work and contribute and have some quality of life.

Those who do notice say, "gee what a shame" and go on.... like there's nothing they can do. And in my opinion they're sicker then I am- as I at least have some compassion for those less fortunate then myself.

Answer 4

The general public can be very cruel to the mentally ill and at best they can treat them with disdain. Only those who have been outsiders are the kind of friends you should have. After that there is a social division which will last all your life.

Answer 5

I think it might not be so bad on the other side. It's like a permenant vacation. It's seems like an illness to the peope close to the patient. Who knows it might just be a crazy fun adventure and we're all missing out.

Answer 6

EVeryone has a mental illness your ALL too sick to realise it... and lack selfawareness. One day youll see what i mean....... its all kinda unfair really,
theyve got mental illness... and no once else has ??? dont think so...
It more a gradient of mental illness.... of what is acceptable and what is not.....

Answer 7

i personally think that most mental illness goes undiagnosed. everyones got the crazy aunt or uncle that does weird things.

Answer 8

Well I never did really think of it my self . But I guess since I am a nut then I woulden think of it would I. But since you got me thinking about I think that being a nut is good or to me it is. Because i can do things that you can do because people already know i am a nut to start with..And you heard it from a REAL nut..They say blonds have more fun WRONG nuts have more fun!!! I know because i am one

Answer 9

Just fine.
They need to be loved and treated with respect just like the "normal" people.
Sometime I think that they may have an advantage over us "normal" people.
They may not see the real horrors in the world.

Answer 10

I don't make judgements about people,unless they are hurting people,or unsafe to themselves,let them be