Do you think 'mental disorders' are real, or a crutch for most?

Question

I'm 17, been to a therapist since 4th grade.. it's sort of a secret from most of my family though, my mom is the only one who knows, because she set it up.. the school system set me up with the school to see the counselor.. but I always get an ear full from my dad when the subject of bi-polar and all that come up, and how he thinks its a load of crap, and I just nod, agreeing. Even though I've never really been 'diagnosed' with depression, I deffinitely know its worse them most peoples. I just hate making a big deal about things. Earlier this year I tried to kill myself, but when my therapist asked if I needed to be committed, I declined.. because I just don't want to be a problem to people.. Do you think that mental health disorders are real? ADHD, is that just a kid who doesn't listen and needs his *** beaten, like my dad says. Depression, is that just someone who makes themselves depressed, as he says as well? Even though I know he's OCD and so am I, so why would he accept that?

Answer 1

Yes , mental disorders are real. Ask yourself this: If it's possible to have a heart disorder of some kind, then why would it not be possible for the brain to have disorders? The problem with the brain disorders is that they manifest themselves through behavior most times. Unlike most physical ailments that manifest themselves through some physical illness/disability/failure. Since behavior is not physical in nature it is hard for some to understand that there is indeed a real physical problem with the brain. It makes me angry that your father could be so ignorant, at best he'll do you no good, at worst he could possibly harm you by his careless misunderstanding of mental illness.

ADHD is very real as well, kids don't make that up, it would be too difficult for a child to manage faking such an illness.

Depressed people don't "make" themselves depressed, again, it comes from a chemical (real physical) imbalance in the brain that manifests itself through behavior, thought, and emotions.

I think your father is narrow minded and chooses to remain ignorant when it would be easy enough to educate himself about these things on the internet. Ignorance by choice is simple stupidity. Since mental illness by it's very nature is intangable, I think many people do not have either the capacity to understand or simply choose to remain ignorant because to truly understand mental illness takes quite a bit of clarity of thought and understanding. The tangible is much easier to deal with as it's right there before your eyes, you see the effects, whereby with mental illness you feel the effects and it's inherent side effects it has on your behavior and thought processes, but there's nothing to put your hands on, nothing to see.

One last thing, emotionally/mentally healthy people (generally) do not attempt suicide, if you were perfectly healthy and happy, why would you?

Answer 2

Your dad is wrong. Although some disorters are ovrely digonised, that does not mean they don't exisest. Mabey for some kids a wake on the but will help, but if you truly have the disoreter it won't. In fact it will make it worse. The proublems are real. I was dignosed with ADHD at 8 and my dad like you dad does not belive it is a disorter. He thinks I just act like I have it so that I can be like my friend that also has ADHD and take meds. Witch is not posible because I was digonesed before I ment her....So I am trying to scrape good grades at school and my faimly refuses to execpt the fact that I have a proublem. I don't want to do the medicen, I just want them to support me and mabey go to some consling. Life is though. I know it sucks to have no one supporte you...at least you mom does...But I feel for you. My dad is a Alcoholic but he won't get treament. And deppresion is real, why would some one want to be sad? Well you almost an adult so soon you can make your on decions. Good luck.

Answer 3

They are real and you need to take them seriously. Your dad has his own problems to worry about. Thearapy can help you overcome mental disorders adn so can drugs, but the truth is there is a lot we still don't understand about the brain so we don't have a perfect cure for things like depression. That being said lots of people deal with issues like depression at different points in their life and are able to recover so don't lose hope. Your dad is scared because he is just as confused as you, ignore him and focuss on tyring to get yourself back together.

Answer 4

If you have feeling of uncertainty that alone can be part of your illness, Yes there ar mental illness and there is help for them to an extent just like heart disease,
The fact that your farther talks like that shows a sign that you father him self need help people living around others with mental illness can live in denial or just don't understand until they learn on the subject, even your mom might need some therapy trust me its good for every body.

Tell you parents to check out this site www.depressionfallout.com

Answer 5

Unfortunately there are people like your dad in the world and they are naive to think that mental illness isn't real. My first thoughts of suicide were when I was 10 years old, I lived most of my life thinking that death is preferable to life. I work in a high pressure job and no one knows that I suffer bipolar, I make sure they don't I take my meds and I do my job. I confided in my last boss and she used it as a weapon to bully me, I wont fall for that trap again. Yes there are days when I am more upset than usual and teary, I often brush it off as a bad headache if other ask. We have commercials on the TV to tell us to tell more people so they will be understanding but it has been my experience that only people who have suffered understand and whilst I wouldn't wish this on my worse enemy my response to people like you dad is "for goodness sake to do really believe people would chose to live like that if they had a choice, be real most people want to be happy and enjoy life to be constantly bombarded with thoughts that death is your only option must be horrendous"...that's my stand. For you my advice is to take the easiest option, agree with him and forget it you cant change his thinking only your own so look after yourself and know that you are worthwhile, you are a person not an illness.

Answer 6

Some people may use mental disorders as a crutch, but mental disorders and mental illness are a very real problem in society. My dad felt like your dad, and he died and left us to take care of his mentally ill wife, my stepmon. If he had recognized her illness as real and gotten her treatment for it we would not be in such a bad situation as we are in now. I am very angry at him for leaving us to cope with this. I also work with kids with ADHD and other learning disabilities and I can tell you that there is a huge difference between kids who are on medication and those who are not. Kids on the proper meds can focus and learn and become productive members of society. Those who are not on meds usually end up dropouts, homeless drug addicts, because they are unable to complete anything or be successful at things they attempt. Mental disorders ARE real and they need to be treated. Do not let ignorant people like your father tell you anything else.

Answer 7

You know I really find it interesting that people are so ashamed of mental illness you wouldnt denie yourself help or medication if you had asthma for instance but people seem to think this chemical imbalance in your brain is something to be ashamed of you in my opinion will never be well when you are being ecouraged by your mother to hide this problem hidding this from your friends and family only makes it more difficult to deal with if more people where educated on this subject it wouldnt be such a huge issue and you should NOT be assamed of something that is out of you control good luck

Answer 8

Mental disorders are completely real. Your father is probably insecure, and can't face the fact that there is something wrong that is beyond his control. Get the help you need, regardless of what people (including your dad!) say or think. YOU are the most important person! It may sound selfish, but it's true. In YOUR life, You are the most important, and you should only worry about you! If you need to talk, please e-mail me.

Answer 9

mental disorders are real. But people don't like to talk about it. They think it is horrible if someone has a mental disorder. I have depression/anxiety disorder. I first went to a therapist then she suggested I go to a psychiatrist for meds, which I did, and I'm glad I did.

Answer 10

Most definately mental disorders are real. Your dad dosen't know what he's talking about or he's very much in denial. I can talk all night about this subject but I would rather not upset you or myself, again mental disorders are real. I have lived with bipolar,personality disorder, anxiety disorder, eating disorder,tried to kill myself 8 times in the last 4 years. I had to be put in state mental hospitals more than once,so yes they are real.Tell your dad he dosen't know what he's talking about.