Posted on 07/22/2009 5:49:29 AM PDT by Kaslin
I have a parent who’s been on meds for 24 years, seeing therapists for 40 years ,lives and breathes self help books while getting every sort of financial windfall thru lawsuits based on her so called condition that she can obtain.
Basically, she’s a self absorbed, narcissistic, all about me parasite,who’s very similar to a certain community organizer elected president.
But I will take the opportunity to rip the author a new one after all. He writes:
> Just about everyone who really suffers from some form of depression (manic or otherwise) has something in common: He is engaged in self-centered conduct, which either a) actually caused the disorder (real or perceived), or b) greatly exacerbates the disorder (real or perceived).
Bollix. That is certainly not borne out by anything I have read on Depression and Bipolar Disorder, and it does not synchronize with my own experiences or those of others I am aware of with these disorders.
I would quite like to see the author’s sources cited.
It seems everybody is an expert on Depression and Bipolar Disorder (and, for that matter, Anorexia, Bulimia, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, &tc) with their own theories on how to “cure” these disorders, right up until the time they or someone they love contracts one or more of them. It is at that point that their preconceived notions and theories expose themselves as being utterly worthless gas.
This article is really only the latest of a long line of “snap out of it” suggestions, long since discredited.
> The reality, the Christian worldview, is that sin is real, it is the cause of all problems and all “mental illness” (barring actual physical defects). The “cure” is to confess, repent, and let Jesus action on the cross cover for that sin.
Bollix. I am a Christian with Depression and Bipolar Disorder, neither of which were caused by “sin”, anymore than a diabetic’s Insulin Dependency is caused by “sin”.
It’s just one of those infirmities like what St Paul had: something to be lived with.
Barring Divine Intervention, none of these conditions can be “cured” but they can be treated with appropriate medicine and therapy.
Actually it’s much more likely that they’re saying that there’s no such thing as original sin. Which is true. The very concept of original sin makes a mockery of any kind of justice based on individual responsibility.
My wife’s group of close female friends had one of these jerks in her group.
Finally, one of the outspoken ladies in the group of 8 told the bi-polar that she was a jerk, a B$tch and a loser who turned off her family and now her friends.
Now instead of the crazy 8 eight group, the group is now the Magnificient Seven.
> I know a guy that stays in a fetal position in his bedroom while his wife works extra shifts to support him & their 4 children. His kids are on their own to fix their meals while he cries in the bedroom. They are under orders not to disturb him for any reason. He goes to a doctor that medicates him heavily. They are always having to “tweak” his medications. The doctor says he is bi-polar. Sometimes this man self-medicates himself by buying an eight ball of cocaine - those are usually his “up” periods.
Many people with bipolar disorder do self-medicate. Often it is in their “manic” cycle.
That said, I would wonder at his doctor “medicating him heavily” — it sounds to me like he hasn’t been getting particularly brilliant medical attention.
I wouldn’t be too quick to draw conclusions in that particular case.
Perhaps you are familiar with this book, which came out several years ago?
http://www.amazon.com/Hypomanic-Edge-Between-Craziness-Success/dp/0743243447
The book made me ponder an interesting question, which others (Thomas Szasz, for example) have explored: is the diagnosis of mental disorder largely a normative judgement? Churchill didn’t engage in antisocial acts, and could channel his mental energy into acts that elevated the human condition. Is the low-functioning bipolar person (difficulty holding a job, damaged relationships, etc) merely someone with a poor strategy for managing their emotional states?
I don’t have an answer to the question.
Depression is a debilitating disease that will kill you if not treated. I have been suffering from severe depression for 15 years now. Every day is a struggle to get out of bed. I'm a computer programmer so focusing on my work is difficult. I have never attempted suicide but it is a rare day when I don't think about it. I cannot control these thoughts but the right medication reduces their intensity and "talk therapy" helps me to recognize where they come from and how to avoid acting on them. I do not parade my problem in front of others or constantly use it as an excuse but it is directly responsible for my loosing several jobs and relationships. I would not wish this on my worst enemies but you should walk a mile in my shoes before making your smug little ignorant posts.
The two of them pushed me right to the wall. I used to cry all the way to work and all the way home..... all this while my mother (who I take care of) was about dead in the hospital. I was a basket case and used to wonder how much more I could take.
I strikes me as ironic that this creep who did all this stuff to me (which I basically toughed out the best I could) cannot herself deal with one tenth the problems I had at that time and still struggle with in my own life.
Just because I don't come in here whining to everyone that I have problems and taking my problems out on others, does not mean that I am living the Life of Riley OR that I am BI POLAR. I found out that I am made of sterner stuff than that and certainly more than this self-indulgent, lying bully and her enabler!
Well said, BubbaBasher.
If you are really sick, then you should also have an interest in seeing people who aren’t get off the meds. Many of us have first hand experience with depression that doesn’t match up with your situation. It is silly for you to take offense and start calling people names because it hits home for you.
I've known one seriously affected bi-polar person. Her childhood history is one of a contentious marriage of her parents, a father who dedicated himself to his job because of it and a mother who wanted to be her daughters friend rather than a mom. Abuse comes in many forms.
Actually, you've come to the right site if you want people Who-Know-What's-Wrong-With-Everybody-Else! ;-)
> It is silly for you to take offense and start calling people names because it hits home for you.
Actually, I agree with what BubbaBasher said: most of the remarks on this thread have been puerile. And most of the article was puerile, too.
I can directly relate to BubbaBasher’s experience with Depression, it synchronizes nearly precisely with my own.
FWIW, the guy in Mr Adams' example was not bi-polar. If he was on a high, he'd not have been in class (or would have only been there if he felt like it). If he was on a low, he'd have been in bed instead.
(grin!)
Let's suppose you just broke both of your legs. You are in constant pain and cannot do the most basic chores for yourself but your friends and family tell you to stop whining and get up and walk. They tell you you're only problem is that you are self absorbed and you don't need to go to the doctor. Wouldn't you take offense? Wouldn't you be totally bewildered at their stupidity?
Those who attended dinner parties with him might disagree.;-) He was usually boorishly talkative and an intolerable know-it-all. That said, I am still quite fond of him.
In another vein, however, I agree with you certainly as to degree.
I am bipolar but still function quite well by carefully arranging my life (to avoid what are known as kindling experiences) and with a huge dose of physical exercise.
There are some people who have the disorder to an extent that they cannot function but their lives still seem to have much meaning if only because meaning is derived from wrestling with their disorder.
I do not look at the disorder as a curse but as simply another aspect of life to be dealt with. One must certainly be careful about responses to it which lead to self-absorption or self-medication
“I can directly relate to BubbaBasher’s experience with Depression, it synchronizes nearly precisely with my own.”
I understand the situation you both are in. But, I also believe that there are a whole lot of people out there that are not synchronised with your experience. There is a massive amount of mood altering chemicals being adminstered to a whole bunch of people that do not need it. That does not change the fact that there are some people that do.
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