IBQUILTIN

I have a son with mental illness. He lives on the street; I have tried many times to help him by getting him to come here to live. He will have none of it. He likes his lifestyle and even though it hurts me terribly, I have finally learned that I have to accept that.

Elise1

Hugs to you, IBQUILTIN. It is tough to be a parent of a mentally ill child. I know only too well. It is the toughest job I have ever had.

coopah

I grew up during the 50's in a town with a state mental hospital. A few teens were treated there and attended school with us. We accepted them at lunch and felt bad for them because they couldn't be with their families during the week. The hospital used to have cows that the adult patients cared for, fields that they tended, and had other jobs that helped create a community. When patients were deemed well enough to go into the outside world, employers would be sought and a job provided. My dad hired a man from the hospital who was a hard worker and took good care of himself. His treatment, therefore, was effective and my dad always treated him with respect.
My grandmother had electric shock treatment there, so I know about that. She elected to have it...she knew something was wrong with her and was hoping it would help. It did, but it's not something we have to do now or want to do, because there are meds that are much more effective and not as hard on the body.
We need to take the stigma away from mental health diseases. They are diseases and we need to work as hard for cures/helps with them as we do with the physical diseases.

lynnie

Even though Robin WIlliams was clean for awhile, he was STILL an alcoholic and drug addict. they fight this demon every day even if they are sober at the time. this too can cause depression, and depression can cause Alcoholism and drug use as an escape from the real world.

auntpiggylpn

Depression, whether situational or chronic, is just as frustrating for the person suffering from it as it is for those around them. Those who don't suffer from it don't understand it and they just want their loved ones to stop hurting and be "Happy" again. It's just not that easy. Some meds work, some meds don't. Some work for a while and then stop. Therapy and counseling can be helpful along with medications but each persons treatment is as individual as they are. Most people suffering from depression do so in silence. They feel there is shame in being mentally ill. Sometimes it takes all the strength you can muster just to breathe.

The Huffington Post shared this video and I swear it is the best explanation in the world, especially for those that have loved ones who suffer from depression and don't know how to help them.

http://www.upworthy.com/in-response-...-heard?c=huf1?

MFord

Coop ah, electroshock therapy is alive and well in this country and others. Nowadays it's much less electricity and it's carefully guided to the correct part of the brain. The patient has a sedative and usually does much better after the treatment. I've been trying to talk my psychiatrist into letting me get it, as my dad had it several times during his life and it helped a lot each time. In the US it seems they only give it to people deemed pretty hopeless.

cathyvv

And the medical research profession is working on devices or implants that will provide gentle electrical currents to the brain to keep whatever part of the brain is not functioning normally (whatever that is) calm. I don't know if 'calm' is the right word to use to describe it, but I think about it as keeping the brain from going to extreme highs or lows.

Of course, when/if these treatment options become available, many people will refuse them because their beliefs and illness will not allow them to accept them.

Very sad.

maryfrang

I really feel for people with PTSD and depression. Most of the time we do not know what they are going through. I do know during past wars our men have suffered with PTSD but no one knew what it was or why they were not able to do their military jobs. I still remember in the movie "Patton" how he treated the soldier with what they called "war nerves". Patton ordered him back to work. Today our military is understanding that some men/woman have issues with what their service is doing to them. I hope we all will become more understanding of PTSD and all mental illness. Remember not only our military members show PTSD, but anyone can.

lclang

I worked in a State office for 17 years where we tried to find jobs for the disabled. The chief complaint from the mentally ill people was that the meds made them tired/sleepy/unable to concentrate and they couldn't function, therefore they would not take them consistently. We called doctor's offices and asked if their meds could be adjusted and were basically told we were not doctors and we got nowhere with that. So most of them took the meds for a while until they felt better and then the side effects caused them to stop taking the meds and they were right back where they started, unable to function well at home, let alone trying to work. Wish I knew the answers but even the doctors seem to be divided on what treatment works.

IshtarsMom

Forgive the disjointedness of this post...it's running through my head and out my keyboard....I'm wondering if part of the problem with the illness/depression is the person is being "jumped on" or treated like a child..."Just take your meds and get over it". What if a real dialogue was started..adult to adult...where you ask..."I know you are having a difficult time...What is it about the medication that is giving you a problem?" Then continue by offering to help research side effects with them and get the person to focus on something positive to do about it. Little by Little... We say we don't know what to do but I think we treat this illness differently. Perhaps by using the same approach that is used so effectively here on the quilting board to solve difficult problems with quilting might help...Lots offer support from having the same problem...more offer research articles...lots of people for support...same principle I think...easier to take help offered when someone is truly being a friend. Listening and hand holding is really good if you are truly listening not thinking about what's for dinner...there are clues you just have to hear them and ask lots of questions... Get them to give you a picture..."What does it feel like when that happens". It is easy to get sucked down into someone's depression unless you go into it with a positive attitude...look up together the stats on how many people have that particular diagnosis..etc. Anyway you get the picture...And keep looking for doctor that listens too..Know the problems with the drugs they are being given and insist they listen and offer whatever research you have come up with...Too many times we expect doctors to solve our problems when we need to HELP THEM RESEARCH.