Wich do u find hardest 2 cope with... the symptoms, side effects of medications, or the stigma in the community even ur own family? Also dose any one out there find self medicating works 4 them if so, how?
2006-12-05 09:21:46 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
I hate that every time I get into a disagreement with my mother she discredits what I have to say by saying it's my fault and am I taking my medication..
2006-12-05 09:24:26 · answer #1 · answered by Jason 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's estimated that one in three adults in the United States suffers at one time or another from depression which is classified as a mental illness, so consider your three closest friends and know that at least one of them probably does.
As for me personally, I think the symptoms are the worst sort of by default. I mean, if I didn't have those, there'd be no need for medication so that part of the equation would be moot. And without symptoms there'd be no stigma.
Sometimes the side effects are worse than other times - such as when a particular anti-depressant ceases to be effective and I switch to a new medicine that makes me sick or which I have an allergic reaction to. And I always hate how my short-term memory is shot on anti-depressant and how I don't feel like I'm performing at 100%. It's worse, though, to want to die so bad that I'm practically catatonic or be so numb I don't feel like I love people I know I do when I'm not in the middle of a major depressive episode.
I also find it very frustrating that no matter how hard they try to understand, NO ONE - family or otherwise - really does unless they've experienced the same. For example mom will give lip service to how she knows my illness is no different than if I was diabetic and had to take insulin but then she'll say something later about how she thinks sometimes I exaggerate how I am for attention that lets me know she really doesn't get it at all.
In a nutshell, it absolutely sucks to have mental illness. It's not like your leg is cut off where people can see and an be sympathetic. Not even your attending physician can see it, map it, excise it, etc.
And it is very isolating even if a third of the people in the U.S. also have it because every single individual is different and that's especially true with mental illness and how it manifests, is dealt with, treated and so on.
Like I said, it sucks. I would like to have just one week of being like that other 2/3 of the population to see what that feels like. Not to be afraid of when my next breakdown is going to happen. Not to suffer through taking medications that are only marginally effective. Not to know I am 'different' but there's not a damn thing I can do about it. Not to wish I had never been born. Not to worry that this is genetic and I might pass it on to my offspring. Just one week out of 52 and I think I could die happy.
2006-12-05 17:40:58 · answer #2 · answered by stevijan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know exactly what you mean by self-medicating. You are taking either illegal drugs, or prescription meds, such as Painkillers, muscle relaxants, valiums, or anything else you can get your hands on, in conjunction to your psychiatric meds. I did this for years. Don't continue! The interactions can nullify the positive effects of the psychiatric meds. As far as the stigma of having a mental illness, I am bi-polar, screw everybody. They don't live in my body or head and cannot begin to understand what it's like. Keep your illness to yourself, no need to tell the world. Stop self medicating, give the psyc. meds a chance to work. I promise things will get better. Good Luck!
2006-12-09 12:31:30 · answer #3 · answered by msmaryanne3 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More than likely the stigma from the community. Some people who just don't care to understand other people (and, in turn should be locked away) can't see past the condition. Side effects too can be a problem, but there are things you can take to ease them, available on prescription or from a chemists shop.
2006-12-05 17:26:41 · answer #4 · answered by Derek K 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I wonder if there is anyone who doesn't have some sort of mental illness, depending on how you define it.
What kind of self medicating are you talking about? Millions of people self-medicate with food, alcohol, shopping, sex, drugs, etc.
Myself, I self-medicate by throwing the frisbee for my dog, it calms me and makes me smile!
2006-12-05 17:26:37 · answer #5 · answered by dgurlsmom 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
ADHD, OCD and mild TS. Lol, the hardest part is definatly being different from others, and not being able to concentrate on anything I need to do. Also, people who don't understand you or your condition, and trying to explain when they continue to laugh.
2006-12-05 17:24:43 · answer #6 · answered by BBaller25 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Side effects of medications.Medications are supposed to restore imbalance in the brain.
2006-12-05 17:34:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mental illness is not real.
Psychiatry is a business! It will destory your life!
http://antipsychiatry.org
http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/manipulation/index.htm
Stay away from meds. You are not sick.
2006-12-05 17:30:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Me. I have a brain condition that makes my brain younger than I actually am.
2006-12-05 17:34:15 · answer #9 · answered by Jonny F 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think everyone is mental.
2006-12-05 17:23:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋