There is a lot of discussion today about Robin Williams and his tragic death. I didn't want to hijack that thread, but I do want to check in with everyone.
Mental illness is so very difficult to understand if you haven't lived it or lived really close to it. You rely on your brain to keep track of everything you need to know, and that generally works. So, if your brain is telling you that you are worthless, or life will never get better, or that getting on a bus to Las Vegas and putting all your money on one roll of the dice is a good idea...well, you don't immediately question that any more than you would question your brain telling you that fire is hot so don't touch it.
Sometimes people offer advice that isn't very helpful. "Cheer up!" they say, or "Just get yourself together." Most people wouldn't presume to tell a person with a broken leg that they just need to nut up and get back to jogging. But, people with mental illnesses are basically told the equivalent of looking at your diabetic friend and saying, "You can't take insulin, that will change who you are! Can't you just be less diabetic? Have you really TRIED to just keep your blood sugar in a good range by concentrating on all the good things in life?"
And, as was mentioned in the Robin Williams thread, you are sometimes judged if you share your story with people, or ask for help. When it has taken someone a while to realize they need some help, and then they're shut down when they ask, it can derail getting care for a long time.
I was hospitalized for depression and self-harm in high school. More than once. It's taken me a long time to get to where I am on a good mix of medications and functioning. Even so, it's not always easy to get through each day, but it's possible, which is a big step up.
Reading about other people's struggle can be very inspiring. And reading about a loss like Robin Williams can be a trigger for one's own demons.
How is everyone doing? Does anyone need or want to talk? Where are you on your own path through life? You'll get no judgment from me, and unless the SKMB Family has been replaced by Pod People, you'll find a huge amount of compassion and strength here.
(((((SKMB)))))
Mental illness is so very difficult to understand if you haven't lived it or lived really close to it. You rely on your brain to keep track of everything you need to know, and that generally works. So, if your brain is telling you that you are worthless, or life will never get better, or that getting on a bus to Las Vegas and putting all your money on one roll of the dice is a good idea...well, you don't immediately question that any more than you would question your brain telling you that fire is hot so don't touch it.
Sometimes people offer advice that isn't very helpful. "Cheer up!" they say, or "Just get yourself together." Most people wouldn't presume to tell a person with a broken leg that they just need to nut up and get back to jogging. But, people with mental illnesses are basically told the equivalent of looking at your diabetic friend and saying, "You can't take insulin, that will change who you are! Can't you just be less diabetic? Have you really TRIED to just keep your blood sugar in a good range by concentrating on all the good things in life?"
And, as was mentioned in the Robin Williams thread, you are sometimes judged if you share your story with people, or ask for help. When it has taken someone a while to realize they need some help, and then they're shut down when they ask, it can derail getting care for a long time.
I was hospitalized for depression and self-harm in high school. More than once. It's taken me a long time to get to where I am on a good mix of medications and functioning. Even so, it's not always easy to get through each day, but it's possible, which is a big step up.
Reading about other people's struggle can be very inspiring. And reading about a loss like Robin Williams can be a trigger for one's own demons.
How is everyone doing? Does anyone need or want to talk? Where are you on your own path through life? You'll get no judgment from me, and unless the SKMB Family has been replaced by Pod People, you'll find a huge amount of compassion and strength here.
(((((SKMB)))))