Mitch Hedburg had a joke about it , he died of his addictions
but seriously if they are going to call it a disease why does everyone,,doctors included give you a sense of shame for having them
"dAMMIT OTTO you are an alcoholic, you are a disgrace"
"DAMMIT otto you have to stop being so depressed and self absorbed"
"DAMMIT otto, you have cancer "
One of these three doesn't sound right
having mental health issues,,I think we are the most misunderstood and stereoyped people in the world
2006-12-21 05:38:35 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
I think the main reason for the difference is that non-addicts can't relate to addicts. Non-addicts are able to stop at one or two drinks, so they assume that addicts lack willpower, i.e they are weak. As far as depression, some people who don't suffer from mental illness think that people who are depressed should just snap out of it. Depression is not as "tangible" a disease as most physical malodies. Diseases like cancer are thought to be able to strike anyone, so even those who don't have cancer tend to empathize with those who do. The exception to this might be someone who develops lung cancer after many years of smoking. Some people may look at the cancer as self-inflicted, and thus won't have much sympathy for them.
2006-12-21 05:52:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unfortunately, you are right. Those suffering from psychologically illnesses are still stigmatized in today's society.
All joking aside, no health professional should be making you feel like you should be ashamed if you are suffering from either of the illnesses you listed. If that is the case, find a new doctor. If you are currently suffering from either, I implore you to seek treatment immediately.
Since I’m more familiar with depression, I’ll focus on discussion the importance of treating the disorder with seriousness. That is not to say that alcoholism is any less important.
Depression is a very serious illness that unfortunately is often treated with irrelevance or distain. Many people don't realize that depression is as much a physiological illness as much as a psychological one. Many studies involving brain scanning techniques show that individuals suffering from depression have a different presentation when compared to non-depressed individuals. The question of whether depression alters neurophysiology, or are certain people born with a physiological predisposition towards developing depressive symptomology is open to debate. What isn’t open to debate, it that those suffering from depression should be treated with the same courtesy, seriousness and respect as those suffering from other biological illness like cancer or diabetes.
2006-12-21 06:03:41 · answer #2 · answered by scilletta 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it is correct to lump alcoholism and depression together. they are different illnesses and problems, altought each can lead to the other. Depression can cause someone to self medicate to relieve the awful feelings of sadness, hopelessness, low self esteem, etc., and addictions often cause depression or depressive symptoms because of the many issues related to addiction. Roughly 30% of people with mental health disorders abuse or are addicted to substances.
Also, not all doctors or other providers behave as you say. That being said, people, including health care providers often have very strong feelings about addiction but the key to properly caring for a client with a mental health disorder (addiction is considered a mental health problem) is knowledge and understanding. Again, we are all human beings and are prone to reacting emotionally at times. I do agree completely that people with mental illness are extremely misunderstood, stereotyped and often treated inappropriatly. We in the health care professions, especially mental health need to work hard to educate and dispell the many myths surrounding mental health.
2006-12-21 07:11:50 · answer #3 · answered by abooismail 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe probably the most co-founders of AA that alcoholism isn't rather a disorder. The disorder inspiration has been so popularized that during a latest research eighty% of the US populace believed it to be a disorder. However, approximately the equal percent of medical professionals believed it used to be a social/ethical predicament. Bill W. announced the belief of alcoholism as an ailment, he mentioned, considering the fact that it used to be the one approach he might persuade skid-row alcoholics to wait AA and blank up. For me the extra useful query is "Does the disorder inspiration aid or restrict the alcoholic in overcoming his alcoholism?" My revel in is that it is helping with complex alcoholism. Unfortunately, with all however the complex, I have noticeable the "disorder" used too commonly as an excuse for now not making an attempt to wash up. "I drink considering the fact that I am the sufferer of a disorder." I just lately obtained my AA 30-12 months cake and I paintings with alcoholics and their households.
2016-09-03 14:03:00 · answer #4 · answered by vandevanter 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The only reason is because a person can CHOOSE to stop using alcohol...Even if it is a disease, they can make changes in their life, and make things better for themselves.
If you knew a person who had cancer, and they CHOSE to not have any treatments for it, wouldn't you yell at them? I know I would...I'd say, "Dammit Otto, you have cancer...You need to go get chemotherapy like the doctor recommended!"
It's not an issue of yelling at them because they have the disease...It's an issue of yelling at them because they choose to live with the disease, instead of finding a way to get better.
2006-12-21 05:47:23 · answer #5 · answered by abfabmom1 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i agree with you (somewhat)... but no one should feel bad about having depression or alcoholism..... and a lot of people should be a little more understanding....
I have been diagnosed with depression, but it's gotten better.... i chose not to take antidepressants, and have been working on figuring out what my deep rooted problems are by myself, talking to friends and family, and making sure that everyone understands that wehn i have a bad day, it's me having a bad day, not them having a bad day because of me (understand???) i think a lot of ppl have problems looking in on depression, because the human nature is to help those that you love, and it's hard because with alcoholism and depression, there's not much your family or friends can really actively do for you.... it is something that you (unfortuantely) have to battle alone, in your own body....
I wish that more people understood how true depression works, and that it is a painful, hurtful desease.... when you have it, it can take over your life ifyou're not careful.... so can alcoholism..... if you're getting help, then great,,, take it one day at a time. and if you're having inner problems, then make them outer, tell your family how you're feeling.
and we have to understand that it's hard for our family to respond the same way every time... it's like hearing a child say it hurts when i do this, and tell them how to make the pain stop, but the child keeps doing it, and keeps complaining..... but it's not that easy.... someone can try to help, but chances are better than none that it wont' work..... and unfortunately, they just give up.... it's soooo hard..... i've lost many friends because of mine,and some days i wish i could call them back, and say, hey,,, i've gotten better,,, but tha'ts un realistic....
i hope things get better for you,,, and if you need to talk, please feel free to email me.....
good luck, honey, and happy holidays!
2006-12-21 05:59:21 · answer #6 · answered by Silver Thunderbird 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Frankly, NONE of them sound right. Some cancers are the by-product of an addiction as well. Nobody should be "yelled at" for ANY of them. It shows ignorance. A LOT of things, and people are stereotyped and misunderstood.
2006-12-21 05:45:59 · answer #7 · answered by kj 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know. Morbidly obese people get screamed at, too, as do cancer victims who had been smokers. People treat those with anorexia and bulemia pretty awful as well. I don't think you have the exclusive on shabby treatment just for being a depressed alcoholic or whatever.
2006-12-21 05:45:48 · answer #8 · answered by Rvn 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Help change that stigma!!! Addiction has been long viewed as a problem of "will power" and personal strength. They are both biological disorders. Addiction is very much like diabetes- it is chronic, primary and incurable. I don't see many people with diabetes being yelled at for having it...
2006-12-21 07:19:15 · answer #9 · answered by soberlunatic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
these two do not combine any how when you are already depressed because alcohol is a depressant this is a vicious cycle a person drinks because they are depressed there past comes out when they drink so if you can get ina therapy group to help you with your depression and go to AAA then you can talk to you and help you with your problem the people that makes fun of you it will come back on them one of these days even if its friends, family,drs,nurses, THIS GOES FOR ANYONE i know alot about this depression and alcoholism i was married to one for 20 yrs
2006-12-21 05:48:37 · answer #10 · answered by whoa_girl41 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋