This thread is for anyone who has ever suffered from, or is suffering from a mental i

[Samhain]

if you suffer from a mental illness or have done, how would you expect health care professionals to relate to you?
I will be working in this field in four months and would like to learn about the views and opinons of people who have or had a mental illness so I can constently reflect on the way I relate to people.
if you wish to share on here, please feel free, also if you would like to rant and rave about when people didn't get it right, i won't mind!!

Blessings

S

[StellaBlue]

Here's the thing; no one can really relate to you unless they've experienced the disease/disorder themselves. I think that recovered mental health folks should be in this field, for its too hard for anyone else to understand. The biggest problems I've had with mental health professionals is #1. They see the problems to be smaller than they really are, because they aren't and haven't experienced them, so they tell me how the problem/thought/whatever is quite miniscule. That's belittling and shuts down open lines of communication. NEVER try to judge someones feelings or thoughts, its an awful thing to do. The biggest thing someone with a mental disease needs to know, and anyone needs to know for that matter, is that they are valid, and their thoughts/feelings are valid as well. Valid doesn't always equal healthy, but it does give one a sense of control of the situation. If one feels that something is valid, they can use logic to deal with it there after. #2 I can never find a counselor that is middle of the road. Either they want to focus on dealing with the 'feelings part', or they want only deal with the immediate 'physical part'. I personally need a middle of the road when it comes to that. One can't improve without the other improving. It's just impossible. So, please treat the WHOLE patient, just not one aspect. :)


Hope you find this helpful! :) Good luck in your career.

[~Sam~]

When I did my follow-through in the psychiatric unite at the hospital... and even on the med-surg floor for that matter....

I began to notice that my fellow students and even some of the nurses and aides were "Afraid" of those deemed; Mentally Ill. The Clients Always picked up on this attitude, and quite frankly, it made absolutely no sense to me.

The Brain is as physical as a Liver. It should be treated as such. I agree with Stella Blue when she said that other physical causes should be looked for too.

The Brain doesn't function exclusively of the Body, and visa-versa. What affects the body has definite impacts on the brain. (I'm speaking only of the physical now) The physical body is a complex, chemical reaction organism... All Parts, brain included. When one part goes out of whack... the whole organism suffers the sequalae of the injury or illness.

I think that too much emphasis is put on quickly medicating those who are suffering from mental illness. To me, it seems like the meds they are given are a convienience for those who have to live and deal with these "scary people". It's like; Medicate them so we can go about our business without them rocking the boat with their silly concerns.

The medications also compact the personality. It takes away the highs and lows, and leaves a person much like a slab of concrete. I didn't like it when I was taking anti-depressants. But it was a comfortable place to hide out until I could find a better solution.

I'd like to tell you to be observant while you adventure in this field. Make your assessments without emotional attachment and don't go on your first impressions. Give things time to make sense to you because psychology is a very complex and controversial study.

I admire you for your interest in this.

[Samhain]

Its strange isn't it? when we speak about how we would like to be treated if we become ill, whether thats mentally or physically, it basically comes down to the fact that we would like to be treated as a human being, with basic respect.
this seems so simple, yet so often not achieved

S

[teepi]

I agree with Sam and Stella, treat the whole person, as organically as possible, don't be so quick to medicate.


I have PTSD because I was molested by a family member, then kidnapped by 2 men as a child, for years and years afterward I wanted so hard to be "normal" and "strong" I pushed it WAY down. I would manipulate therapists into believing I was ok, I NEVER told the whole stories, they were always right there on the tip of my tongue, but no one helped me draw the stories out.
I needed to say the words and feel the feelings and just stop being so damn strong...

I have only been able to come on places like this board and even mention these things in the last year....

Each of us is different, help your patients,wards,clients, or guinnea pigs...whatever you call them,.... find their voices...

teepi

[~Sam~]

Beautiful... truly beautiful, Teepi.

I am so glad that you found your voice... keep on talkin' girl! Keep on talkin'. That's why we have them... I share the abusive history you speak of. It does do some strange things to the way we operate, just keep on talkin'.

[teepi]

Thank you Sam, I am happy to see you in a good place on your farm, and I can understand the comfort the simple basic everyday things can bring.
Most times I view my solitude here as a blessing.

Its getting a bit easier now as I go on.

The nightmares continued for over 3 decades then came to a stop...about 4 years ago.

Larry questions me on these things and truely listens and validates.
I actually trust him, that was a BIG one.

You know exactly what I am speaking of with the trust.

My ever emerging, revolving spirituality helps me put alot of this in its place.

And as my ability to forgive grows, the past is able to shrink, till it fits in those places.

teepi

[Lilyrayne]

I think Sam and Stella pretty much hit the nail on the head, I've experienced similiar problems with therapists and such... ( I do have a few mental illnesses )

There is one thing that our current therapist does that really bothers me to no end, enough that I've been considering a new therapist, but I'm not sure. My husband and I were both going to therapy for a while there ( we haven't been recently ) due to relationship problems, but we've been working on my personal mental health issues on the side... One thing that both my husband and I noticed about this therapist is that she plays devil's advocate. She makes both of us feel like we are right in what we feel or say or what we want... and when my hsuband and I differ on something, we will discuss it and we will both be saying "But the therapist said I was right!" and, well, ya know.. both can't be right.

I guess what I'm trying to say that it's true that a patient needs to feel validated... but be freakin' honest! I don't know how exactly to explain things all I know is I don't like that devil's advocate thing.. I Am trying to figure out if maybe she is doing the right thing and I just can't see it or if she really is validating TOO much...

Anyway it's something to think about and watch out for.

[Samhain]

Hi everyone
Just to say that when I usually start a thread on here, i try to respond to most of the postings on it.
I have realised that if I do that with this one, i may slip into making judgements or analizing or even making excuses for the health care professionals and I think peoples feelings deserve more than this.
so if you don't hear from me often, please know that I am reading every post and trying my best to think about it in terms of what I will be doing.
If you ever do want a direct response from me do say and i'll do my best to give an honest answer, even if its just to say that I can't give an answer!

with much respect

S

[Tristen]

SAMHEIM
Its strange isn't it? when we speak about how we would like to be treated if we become ill, whether thats mentally or physically, it basically comes down to the fact that we would like to be treated as a human being, with basic respect.
this seems so simple, yet so often not achievedYou are absolutely right on!

I could definitely relate to that on way too many occasions. It feels horrible to be treated as if I have no feelings.
It's almost impossible to give advice on people's depression and/or other mental illnesses. I think it's so important to have someone who can sit and listen, sometimes without saying anything. Thanks so much for validating people's feelings here. It's not always easy to find someone who is here to listen...Thanks


Starting to get better..

All my life, for as long as I could remember, I suffered from major depression. Thought about suicide many times. I have watched 3 friends of mine end their lives, all within the year of 2000. I was in a psych residence at the time, suffering from anorexia. I left after my last friend died. I guess I have been dealing with that over the past few years.
Previously (before all that happened), I was heavily into any substance that I could consume that would take me out of me. Really didn't matter what it was. Even if it was something that I knew would make me feel worse, I was able to rationalize taking it because at least I wouldn't have to feel like me.
I went to rehab, didn't do anything at all.
Came out and started using again. Went to program after program. I have stayed off a lot of stuff, and currently just take some "mellow pills" and smoke to relieve my anxiety. Self mutilation is still a bit of a problem, but I am trying as hard as I can to stop. 2 months so far.
I definitely still get depressed, but I think I learned how to cope with it much better. I get up in the morning, go to school and work. Never get high before I have something to do. Night times, I do "relax". Works for me.

As far as the mental health system...it sucks all the way. I don't think that any of those so-called "professionals" did anything at all for me. It's up to me. It's up to me to make the choices that will best suit my life. As far as my anorexia, I have been recovered for 2 years. That was probably the scariest of all.

I just feel that there are so many people who really need & WANT the help. Unfortunately, if you don't have crazy amounts of money, the system will not do much, if anything at all. These illnesses are real. However, they are not looked at the same by the system. It's been a long hard road, and I still have some climbing to do, but I can recognize some small accomplishments. Ugh, that's it for now. Don't like thinking about all this.
If anyone read up to this point, please know that you have every right to get help. A mental illness is a real illness and you need to be believed. If you are feeling invalidated by a doctor, go somewhere else. I know they are few and far between, but some people really do understand.

I totally agree, Stella, that those who work in the field, should have at least some personal experience with mental illness. I know I would relate much more to a therapist if i knew she truly understood where I was coming from..To see that someone else has recovered from what I am suffering from is a big help for me. It gives me the hope I need to keep going.

[Andy73]

The DSM-IV is no different than the bible, it's all about faith.

Mental illness is the opiate of the masses.

[hnugginbuggin]

DONT GO INTO THE "FEILD" THINKING OF IT AS AN "ILLNESS" THINK OF IT AS SOMETHING SPIRITUAL. SOMETHING FOR "THEM" TO GROW FROM.

please and thank you,
hnugginbuggin