why do so many people not understand/believe that mental illness is real? so often i hear people say things like "snap out of it" "if you ate healthier and got more exercise..." "there are people who have it worse than you"...blah, blah, blah...
i've had depression and anxiety for nearly 32 yrs...don't these people think that if i were capable of just "changing my attitude" that i would have done so by now instead of suffering so much....to me it's like telling some-one with cancer to "snap out of it" or its' "all in your head"....
sadly i think that a-lot of the medical profession doesn't even understand mental illness
2006-11-09 08:00:35 · 12 answers · asked by SNAP! 4 in Health ➔ Mental Health
People are afriad of mental illness. If they admit that mental illness is beyond our control, then it can happen to them. Most people do not understand the depth of pain and suffering that goes with mental illness of any kind. They may be able to pull themselves out of a short term funk but have not idea what it is like to live in a dark cloud.
When they tell you to snap out of it, they are allowing themselve believe that they could snap out of it if mental illness happened to them. People have tried to blame the victim of all kinds of illnesses. If someone gets cancer, they must have smoked or had an unhealthy lifestyle or bad genes, for example.
Blaming the victim is especially hurtful. We are punished twice-once by the sickness and again by those who blame us for having a problem of any kind. They want to believe that it is a flaw in character that the sick person has and they don't have.
A lot of doctors actually dismiss patients with "it's all in your head, here is an antidepresssant." This happens many times more to women that it does to men. The word hysterical, has as its root "hyster" referring to women.
2006-11-09 08:07:28 · answer #1 · answered by Linda R 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
One thing that would be helpful and would also provide a good answer would be for you to start doing daily journaling. It will serve two purposes. You can keep track of the mental illness, track ways to deal with bad days, describe success accomplished on good days and you can honestly tell people you are a writer. When they ask you what you are writing about you an tell them about Mental Health Issues in America Today. You would be surprised how many people will be interested in the subject without having to get personal with you. Journaling might also inspire you to do some research into treatment options, drug use down through the years both good and bad. There are a ton of books on the subject of mental illness both from a historical perspective and a medical. There are some good fiction books as well. And you never can tell you just might develop a really ability to write. You don't have to be totally sane to do a lot of things in this world and writing is definitely one of them.
2016-05-22 01:05:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Snap. Mental illness is REAL. You cannot just "snap out of it". People think that when you talk about depression you are talking about a simple sadness (of a normal person). People can have ups and downs but depression and mental illnesses are something different. Our brains work differently than theirs. Our neurotrasmiters are unbalance and that is why we get depression and anxiety. I think it is ignorance. They do not put themselves into your shoes. The spiritual explanation of mental illnesses is that the person has a spirit attached to his aura and that is why the person has all these symptoms of weakness, depression, lack of concentration, attemp suicide, etc, etc.
You have lived with depression and anxiety for quite a long time. Is important that you find a GOOD shrink. (I totally AGREE that a lot of medical profession do not understand mental illness, only the one who suffer it know what it is!). You also have to try different medicines since every body responds different. Cymbalta and Zyprexa have worked for me!. I think there is hope.
I do not think you have to spend the rest of your life anxious and depressed. Even though I agree that you cannot just "snap of it" I think with a good doctor + good medicine + other activities you can overcome your illness. Combined with more exercise, positive thinking and vitamins. If you have further questions do not hesitate to contact me Argentox2@yahoo.com
2006-11-09 08:26:57 · answer #3 · answered by Lisa 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i agree with you completely and i'm not sure i have a good answer for you. It's only been the last 20 years that we (including the doctors) have not been COMPLETELY clueless as to what it is, what causes it, and how to fix it. Also, unlike a broken leg it's not something you can physically see. In fact, people with severe anxiety and depression can seem normal much or most of the time.
It's also perceived as a weakness to ask for help with this, especially if you are a man. This is changing, but too slowly.
And probably the saddest part: most people who have these problems were mentally, physically, or sexually abused as children, and went through things other people could never hope to understand.
2006-11-09 08:14:49 · answer #4 · answered by clueless_nerd 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know. It is hard to understand the pain of mental illness unless you go through it yourself. Few years ago, a close member of my family would tell me the worse things because I was not able to get out of a very bad episode. I heard all kinds of nasty things from people. Not long ago that same person who would tell me to snap out of it, got depression and she told me: " I am so sorry I was not able to understand. This is the worse thing ever. Now I know your suffering."
I guess that people know the reality of mental illness but to them it is rather something they fear or don't want to hang out with depressed people... It is sad but it might change in the future.
2006-11-09 08:12:21 · answer #5 · answered by Lonelyplanet 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
A lot of people are scared of it. and lack of education makes it worse.
even mental health professional dont get it because they have been taught from a text book not from a sufferer.
Also mental illness is harder to accept than physical illness there are no obvious solutions and a lot of it is trail an error.
Perhaps we who have mental health issues to be allowed to explain what mental illness actually is or least feels like.
2006-11-09 08:06:54 · answer #6 · answered by ballet-babe 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that is a very good question. i have been dealing with an anxiety disorder for nearly 2 years and find it very hard to even leave the house. my brother in law is being a jerk about it because my wife is having to support us right now. he's saying i should just get over it. if i could just get over it i would have 2 years ago. i think it's just ignorant know it all people who think they have the right to act like that. they dont make sense to me.
2006-11-09 08:44:34 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think there is a social stigma surrounding mental illness. I think it makes people uncomfortable, and there is a general lack of knowledge. I agree I think many medical professional just want to medicate and send you on your way.
2006-11-09 08:10:57 · answer #8 · answered by NeNe 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I've had people say the exact same things to me and I'm 34 and on disability for the same things. I'm 'lazy',etc. and I should go get a job and I wouldn't be depressed,etc.
Most people think of the fact that we're 'living on the dole' and look at us as lazy and using it as an excuse. (That's my experience anyway.)
It all comes down to money.
2006-11-09 08:30:57 · answer #9 · answered by kmodek 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I AGREE 100% WITH YOU , I ACCEPT MENTAL ILLNESS AND TELL EVERYONE IF SOMEONE WANTS TO BE MY FRIEND OR WHATEVER THATS KOOL , IF NOT THEN I MOVE ON!!!!
2006-11-09 08:14:28 · answer #10 · answered by SWM 38 _4_ YOUNG GF 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋