Why is it that mentally ill people never seem to know they're mentally ill?

Question

How is it that this critical notion is obvious to everyone else, but totally escapes the person themselves?

Answer 1

That's a myth; many mentally ill people are fully aware that they are "not normal", but they have the same power of denial as anyone else. Alcoholics are good about denying that they are alcoholics, but it is very obvious to everyone around them. Same with drug addicts!
But it is true that SOME mentally ill people, once psychotic, are in another world, and are unaware of their illness. It's the process that makes them mentally ill that blocks out the awareness.
So, like with a drunk, it becomes pointless to try to rationalize with a psychotic individual.

Answer 2

First off, what exactly is your definition of mentally ill people? There are so many different neurological disorders and diseases that you can in no way just lump them all into one category. Do you honestly think a person with a disorder or disease especially those related to our minds, chooses to be that way? When you are in an altered state of mind, you may know what you are saying or doing but have no idea why or even be able to remember anything after wards.You can define someone as being mentally ill all you want, but that in no way means they must define themselves that way.

Answer 3

Denial, shame.

Non - compliance of their medication is the biggest cause of relapse added with poly substance abuse.

Bi - polar, Schizophrenia and Shizo affective (dual diagnosis) are all debilatating illnesses. The medication makes them feel like crap and only 33% stay on medication and can function fairly normally in the community. Sometimes it can take years to get the right medication for them. Most families have tried for years to help them then give up as they cause too much grief and they tend to go on leading transient lifestyles, unfortunately.

In australia now they basically have to be suicidal to be admitted. Does not matter if they are psychotic. The Mental Health Institutions have put em out on the streets and the gaols are getting fuller.

A bloody national disgrace.

Answer 4

i don't know that your assumption is totally true. from experience, i lived through a horrendous bout w/clinical depression and anxiety. i knew i was seriously ill and in the midst of a terrible case of mental illness. fortunately, i sought help and rec'd the best care from a great, compassionate psychiatrist.
i believe that people are more aware of the symptoms of mental illness today. there are ads in just about every magazine about drugs used to treat the various types of m/i. Television advertises commercials that bring mental illnesses to the forefront, thus better educating all people, including the mentally ill to seek help. it's 2006, we're not back in the days of locking the mentally ill away. no one should have to suffer with this hideous disease.

Answer 5

i think ur being to general, everybody suffers from some sort of denial at some stage, speak from experiance i have a mental disorder and its one of those things that u just want to hold on to the idea that every thing will be normal in a little while. and well it doent quite work out that way when u have to be on pills for life. but look at the bright side, it tripples my alcohol content when i drink

Answer 6

Are you talking about ME *looks over shoulder*...oh yes the "obvious to everyone else" are the normal ones that you have personally eveluated as normal, sane, the A typical mainstream with your psycho analitical Masters Degree hmmmmm?

Answer 7

because they're brain blocks their mental capacity to even remember, or have enough intelligence to understand they have mental problems.

its like when people use heroin to cut someone's leg off, they wont feel the pain.. since its all what the brain tells you

heroin is sort of like being a little mentally ill.

Answer 8

I'm sure most of them are perfectly aware of their illness, but that they cannot control themselves. Kind of like watching yourself as a 3rd person.

The ones that cannot probably have brains that function on a different level, so their interests and attentions are in other things.

Answer 9

That's sort of it, by definition. In one way or another, they are not completely in touch with reality, or their thoughts and emotions don't operate quite the way many people's do. They interpret what they do and see differently from other people.

Answer 10

Why am I answering this question like no one else has?
Maybe they not mentally ill and we just abuse them because they not want to think they way we do? Heck, look at our politicians! Ha! Whoe, better not go there, they may attack.