Who thinks that people with mental illness are making too big a deal and should be able to cope without meds?

Question

why when people say they feel bad that some people respond "happyness is a choice", when they've never experienced true mental illness(anxiety, depression, bi polar, schizophrenia)For those who think you can decide how you feel, let me ask you this: can you decide if you have diabeties, cancer, autism? Mental illness is caused by a lot of body imbalances. the brain doesn't usually have chemical imbalances alone, there's something else causing it,usually. yes some people can change their chemistry by the way they think, but with severe mental illness, this is not the case. One example is zinc deficiency, another b12 and b6 deficiency, google them if you don't beleive me. and there are many more. so please if you hear someone say they're having a problem, just be supportive and don't say "it's your choice"

Answer 1

I have a son who is fixing to be 11. He does have a bad mood disorder. He has ADHD. I have had doctors tell me he could possibly have bi-polar. He has that "snap" mood. He can snap into a good mood or he can snap into a bad mood. It is a mental illness and he does not know how to cope with it. His pediatrician says that he has depression and anxiety. I know he has a problem with this, he grinds his teeth at night and does not know he does this.

Answer 2

Yeah, brain chemistry deficiencies are just like an insulin deficiency for diabetics -

Psychiatric medications are like eye-glasses for vision impaired people! VERY NECESSARY - even though they do not "fix" the problem permanently, they work as long as you use the medication. (or have your glasses on)

I find it sooo amazing how people seem to separate the brain from the body too - like "mental illness" is not a physical illness? Anyone who has ever had anxiety or depression knows that it is a physical illness!! :)

I always think the worst of anyone who says anything like "happiness is a choice." That is just plain ignorance. I know many people who would CHOOSE to be happy if they could but they have brain chemistry issues, and they take medications to help repair the problem.

If someone says such bull, either write them off as an idiot that you must avoid, or explain that they must not know what depression/anxiety/bi-polar/schitzophrenia/etc feels like. Maybe let them know how medications developed in the 1950's/1960's helped so many schizophrenics in psychiatric hospitals, that they started emptying out the hospitals!

I have heard such comments from people before and if I study them and their lives, I usually see that they are very unhappy people who wish misery on others. Otherwise, they would not be so critical of others.

I hate to even admit this in such a public forum because people can be such idiots...but
I had agoraphobia from panic disorder (EXTREME repeated panic attacks) and could barely leave my house for 2 years. One day I read about antidepressant meds that help panic attacks - and I asked my doc for some. 7 years later, I have a life. I go everywhere and my anxiety is managable. I started back to college and it is like I picked up my life where I had left off 10 years before when the brain chemistry issues really began.
Even my own dad, who has anxiety, is from the "old school" and thinks I should not be taking "all of that dope!" So, education takes time, and the old school of thought is slowly changing.

Answer 3

I didn't read your entire question, your opening says it all. You have little to no experience in this field, do you. You have no relatives or family members that are sick in a mental way, do you.

It's a shame you don't understand what's happening to the poor people of the world that can't afford to or, get help with the mental conditions they suffer from. I suggest you get some further knowledge or go to the local library and look for some types of mental disorders, maybe it'll open your eyes.

You think by spouting off some chemical compounds, something you have little knowledge of in itself, you think you know all about it.
If a person could control the chemical imbalance in their bodies, why would they be sick to start with? My wife went through PMS and almost killed me, she had no knowledge of these acts because of the lack of chemicals and, the imbalance she had. Now, pray tell, if she was this ill, how would she know to balance the chemicals. This is plain insane thinking itself. Very immature.
I suggest you take a further study into it through a professional and see where it takes you.

Answer 4

You only got part of the answer right. Yes, some bad behaviors can be caused by deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. My autistic son is an example of how genetically modified food can cause someone to go bonkers. Many of his behaviors including teeth grinding were caused by vitamin and mineral defiencies. However, anxiety is another story. Once you rule out thyroid function problems and then check out hormones and neurotransmiter levels. If you have a chemical imbalance, drugs are your choice. This is not going to respond to vitamin/mineral supplements. With therapy and drugs, symptoms of mental illness will decrease.
Usually is the family and friends who notice the bizarre behavior and confront the person.
P.S. The woman who son grinds his teeth at night. If you give extra calcium ( in the morning) and then zinc ( at least 6 hrs later) the teeth grinding will become less severe. Teeth grinding can be inherited or due to low calcium and zinc levels. My coworker followed my instructions and her son teeth grinding decreased at least 50%. The noise was so loud she could hear the teeth grinding-- this actually damaged his teeth to the point of some being flattened. I totally stopped my autistic son's teeth grinding doing this treatment.

Answer 5

that's exactly what got Tom cruise in trouble! Why dont u have a baby tom and fight postpartum depression and then decide u can fix it all with herbs?

I do think a lot of mental health comes from a health body (and environment, childhood, etc.) I have had MANY many triggers in my life to cause mental illness and even have a disease that if left untreated leads to mental illness (celiac disease.) I think diet, chemistry, genetics, physical illness, etc all have a factor in the mental health of a person. I dont agree with just doping up some ppl and never finding the root of the problem But ur right, no matter how anyone gets therapy or help, we should be supportive and offer help.

Answer 6

Depression is not anyone's fault. It is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain. People do not choose to be depressed. It is something that happens and there is no cure for people with severe mental illnesses. It takes lots of time, counseling, medication and support from family. There are many forms of mental illness. People harm themselves and others cause of this disease. That's what depression is, a disease. Many people suffer from a mental illness and may not even know it. Many go undiagnosed their whole life. People who do not have a mental illness just do not understand what it is like for people who have a mental illness. It is a constant, daily struggle for survival.

Answer 7

Usually people who say that sort of thing, are very uneducated in that area. They don't get it, and don't understand it, so they assume that it is a choice. It's easy to sit there and try to judge, but the reality is, is that , those people are not aware of chemical imbalance or what that means, or the different conditions. It s jaded, and just down right showing ignorance. Don't ever let that get to you. There are more people out there then anyone realizes, who deal with imbalances ie mental ilnesses, depression. It is nothing to be ashamed of. You know what it is about, and if anyone doesn't want to take the time to learn about it, especially when it comes to judging another person who has it, then they are not worth your time.

Answer 8

I think people should be more aware of the difference between mental illnesses and being mentally disabled. There is a big difference. I have suffered from depression and PND (post natal depression) for the last 12 years. This is a mental illness. My daughter has aspergers. This is a disability. what is the difference. Illnesses can be cured and disabilities can't. I hope this answers anyones questions.

Answer 9

It's a combination of biological predispostion and environment.

http://blog.sciam.com/index.php?title=your_mama_or_your_maoa&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

Freud said that paranoia, depression, hypochondria (and presumably autism) are "narcissistic" disorders and are thus untreatable by talking cures. Therefore, medication is necessary for such conditions. Maybe he was wrong about that, but so far all the fancy variety of talk therapies don't help these problems too much.

As for the other things--like OCD, eating disorders, conversion, panic, etc.--medication is a waste of money. Any improvements from eating Xanax or Valium are temporary, at best, and provide no enlightenment or insight into the underlying psychology of such conditions.

Answer 10

Most people that have experienced being depressed wouldn't think you have choice because you don't see it. I know because I didn't think I had a choice 3 years ago. It took a dramatic event for me to realize I can choose. Though you can it's no a easy road and you may never know how to get there. Trust me I know what you mean. Depressed people are in a room and they don't know how to get out. It feels like nothing will help.The best advice for people that I have that are depressed it to find some thing to live for. Ask other people what they like about them and learn to like them selfs.
When I was depressed doctors would stick me with pills and all I really needed to do was get happy about living life and liking my self. My self I am excited to learn things and become more knowledgeable. To just have lots of fun with my family.