Do you think that mentally ill people might be right? Maybe what they are seeing is really there and people are telling them they are sick when they can hold a job, have fun, and enjoy life? I am by no means saying that mental illnesses don't exist, just thet some people are mentally different or more aware of whats going on around them.
2007-02-01 12:55:49 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Health ➔ Mental Health
We only use a small portion of our brain. Who knows what is out there that we can't see? Paranormal, aliens........we know radio waves and electricity are flowing through the air and we can't see it. Suppose some could see it? Time does not exists in the we generally think about time so who knows what we might find out in years to come. Are they seeing into another diminision? We just don't know yet, do we? Exactly what is real? Children can often see things adults can't. We must continue to learn and study these things.
2007-02-01 13:13:26 · answer #1 · answered by ruthie 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It REALLY depends on the situation, to me. I have spent some time in psychiatric hospitals with people diagnosed with (bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, etc), and YES some of them are truly affected by an illness. And they could not hold jobs, or function anything near to what was 'expected' of humans. But they were still people, even the most extreme ones. All with emotions. I think even with those who truly have something wrong, there is a stigma we attach that should have never been placed upon them.
I also think there could be a few cases where someone is considered 'crazy' because of beliefs or knowledge that the common person cannot accept, but I don't see it as the same thing as mental illness at all. I mean, someone could easily mistake astral projection for dissociation, or vice versa. A 'psychic vision' could actually be a hallucination...or the other way around. Who's to judge? But even if such words could be used interchangably, the only thing most people are concerned about is whether an individual is managing in their environment, and functioning in life...and in some ways that should be the only thing 'mental health' cover. For if someone were to truly be able to function in work , relationships, and be happy...what would be the point in trying to 'cure' them, no matter how different they were from the norm?
2007-02-02 00:24:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes! It was not more than fifty years ago that mental wards were known as snake pits. The advent of neuroleptic and anti-depressant medications have been given the credit for changing that to what is more normal now. I recently read in a newspaper though that the schizophrenics now are being imprisoned more than normal people.
Many homeless people are diagnosed as schizophrenic if they ever get to see a Doctor. Many homeless people are imprisoned with out any chance of medical treatment.
As for those who are outpatients just as much credit for their "good behavior" must go to the fact that they are experiencing more love from proffesional staff as well as family and the man on the street than they did in the era of the snake pits. Love is a great healer for all people but especially the mentally ill.
I am a schizophrenic. I no longer seem to have hallucinations. I am still "religiously" on neuroleptic medications. I have never taken drugs nor do I use alcohol. And I still do not believe the severe hallucinations I had in the early acute phase of my illness were due to an abnormal mind or that the disorder is inherited. That belief is what (I think) keeps me diagnosed as psychotic and having a "screwed up mind". Psychiatrists and medical doctors are mostly scientists. So am I a scientist but not a respected one. Most scientists do not, indeed can not, entertain any idea that smacks of the supernatural. Nor do many others.
I hope this has helped you with your very timely question.
2007-02-02 01:48:17 · answer #3 · answered by Mad Mac 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"mentally ill" is a broad, broad term. Mental illness includes anxiety disorders, mood disorders, schizophrenia and other stuff.
Based on your question, I assume you are referring to people with mental illness who have psychosis, which can include schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression and post traumatic stress disorder, and maybe some others I forgot.
Nope, I think people with mental illness are suffering terribly from what is wrong with them and that is why about 15% of those with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder (I think major depression, slightly fewer) kill themselves. I'm bipolar, and I'm in agony most of the time. It hurts more than the closest person to you dying, or the worst betrayal you can imagine. In schizophrenia, the voices are not saying nice things to you! And nowadays, even people with severe mental illnesses are getting out more, now that they don't have to fear being shoved into an institution. And having fun, and doing things. The symptoms do interfere with life in a big way, but meds do help, and as people with mental illnesses can be more mainstream in society without prejudices against them (stigma) at least only the mental illness itself will cause suffering, not ignorant folk's nasty comments or insults.
Psychosis is not the only sypmptom of the mental illnesses I listed above. There are many more impairments besides that, depending on the illness. For example, in schizophrenia, you have a lot of trouble reasoning and showing emotions. In bipolar, you feel incredible pain if it's the depression, and you do a lot of outrageous stuff, if it's mania. Mental illness is really a stupid term that I wish wouldn't be used anymore-it's way too broad.
Glad you askedthis question! It's a good habit to think outside the box even if it doesn't always work out.
Oh, and I saw another answer on here I want to respond to: it's a myth that we only use a small part of our brains. We have a lot of redundant systems, and that's why people can survive a head injury, their brain will rewire itself.
2007-02-01 21:19:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
There is a significant amount of brain scanning research that suggests that disorders (such as schizophrenia) negatively affect the individual's ability to live a normal lifestyle. The hippocampus (the memory cortex in the brain) and the fluid filled vesicles that surround the corpus callosium are abnormally shaped or are dysfunctional compared to those without schizophrenic symptoms. This can put pressure on different parts of the brain, causing hallucinations and reality difficulties. Disorders affecting consciousness are very sad and irreversible; overall very difficult to integrate people into our societal norms.
I think that this "sickness" stigma is indeed debilitating and very unethical. Each person has a certain set of talents and abilities. That means that every person (mentally ill or not) can contribute if we just put an effort in to accommodate them.
2007-02-01 21:09:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
im bipolar and i believe that the things i see arent real.example,i once had a talk with my bro.he is alive.problem i was in oklahoma
he was in california.though not to say that i have any thing great
going on i am a little insightful. and i can get a feel if a person is a jerk almost as soon as i meet them.food for thought.
2007-02-02 16:50:10 · answer #6 · answered by mentalzan2 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the common fact.
2007-02-01 20:59:06 · answer #7 · answered by Phlow 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Your insight is a good one.
2007-02-01 21:19:43 · answer #8 · answered by donothing555 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋