Mental Illness -
#61
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Hampstead N.C.
Posts: 1,870
This is such a timely topic for me and my extended family. We are currently in the process of trying to have my sister civilly committed. This has been such a heart wrenching journey. She is currently hospitalized, (has been since end of June) but may be released shortly depending on the judge's findings. She doesn't/can't/won't accept that she is ill. She is a danger to herself, is homeless, jobless, and paranoid. For a wide variety of reasons no one in the family is in a position to take her in, and getting help for someone who does not want help is incredibly difficult. I agree about the stigma part being hard for some people...one of my brothers doesn't want anyone to know, and another brother won't tell his wife! Sometimes, I see that "look" in her eyes, and wonder how terrified and confused she must be. Kudos to all who have had the courage to seek help, aren't ashamed or embarrassed, and have embraced help and treatment, sometimes at great personal cost! Mavis...thank you for your insight and thoughts!
#62
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Hampstead N.C.
Posts: 1,870
#63
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Hampstead N.C.
Posts: 1,870
I have multipule anxiety depression disorders and come here to look at quilts to cheer me up although at times I disappear because I am too depressed to be here. I do go out but I take each outing as a drama class. All the time I'm acting a part to fulfill each activity and am exhausted when I return. Does anyone else do this?
I was reading fly lady comment this week. A patient who was depressed was told to go to the circus to see the clown best for depression and cheering him up he had seen . The patient was that clown . I know exactly how the clown felt, dr's don't know about depression and how useless some comments are ie. pull yourself together, nothing wrong, at last a broken foot a real illness.
I could go on. Do other relate.
I was reading fly lady comment this week. A patient who was depressed was told to go to the circus to see the clown best for depression and cheering him up he had seen . The patient was that clown . I know exactly how the clown felt, dr's don't know about depression and how useless some comments are ie. pull yourself together, nothing wrong, at last a broken foot a real illness.
I could go on. Do other relate.
#64
I just read this thread today. Life interfered with the quilting forum for about 2 months but am glad I did not delete this day's forum.
I heard from someone on the radio that Robin Williams died from depression. Suicide was his cause of death. I think that is so true.
I have PTSD & depression and tried to end it all once upon a time. I was trying to end the pain, not necessarily my life, but the doctors couldn't see the pain because it was extreme mental anguish (to put it mildly) and thought it was non-existent. They also thought I was deliberately screwing up when taking my meds because I kept having an atypical side effect from every single one I was given to take. Turns out I am allergic to an entire class of psychiatric meds!!
My life is so much better now. I am on something that mostly takes care of the depression and I know my triggers and what to expect when unexpected events happen. I still have the bad days but few and far between. I will say this that if you've never had moderate to severe depression it is impossible to understand truly and even we sufferers cannot explain why we are depressed again even if on the correct meds and the correct dosage.
Chris
Sorry this is long but cannot keep quiet about mental illness and stigma most of the time. I always say mental illness is not contagious but stupid is!
I heard from someone on the radio that Robin Williams died from depression. Suicide was his cause of death. I think that is so true.
I have PTSD & depression and tried to end it all once upon a time. I was trying to end the pain, not necessarily my life, but the doctors couldn't see the pain because it was extreme mental anguish (to put it mildly) and thought it was non-existent. They also thought I was deliberately screwing up when taking my meds because I kept having an atypical side effect from every single one I was given to take. Turns out I am allergic to an entire class of psychiatric meds!!
My life is so much better now. I am on something that mostly takes care of the depression and I know my triggers and what to expect when unexpected events happen. I still have the bad days but few and far between. I will say this that if you've never had moderate to severe depression it is impossible to understand truly and even we sufferers cannot explain why we are depressed again even if on the correct meds and the correct dosage.
Chris
Sorry this is long but cannot keep quiet about mental illness and stigma most of the time. I always say mental illness is not contagious but stupid is!
Last edited by chris_quilts; 09-02-2014 at 07:36 PM.
#65
Power Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Florida
Posts: 17,636
This is such a timely topic for me and my extended family. We are currently in the process of trying to have my sister civilly committed. This has been such a heart wrenching journey. She is currently hospitalized, (has been since end of June) but may be released shortly depending on the judge's findings. She doesn't/can't/won't accept that she is ill. She is a danger to herself, is homeless, jobless, and paranoid. For a wide variety of reasons no one in the family is in a position to take her in, and getting help for someone who does not want help is incredibly difficult. I agree about the stigma part being hard for some people...one of my brothers doesn't want anyone to know, and another brother won't tell his wife! Sometimes, I see that "look" in her eyes, and wonder how terrified and confused she must be. Kudos to all who have had the courage to seek help, aren't ashamed or embarrassed, and have embraced help and treatment, sometimes at great personal cost! Mavis...thank you for your insight and thoughts!
Your sister should be eligible for disability payments and there is government
apartments for handicapped (mentally ill) people.
She will need someone to take her places.
I don't know if she is capable of living by herself, but thought it was worth
mentioning.
It's not always easy to help someone that does not want help. It can be
a heartbreaking situation. I pray things get better for you all.
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