Posted on 07/22/2009 5:49:29 AM PDT by Kaslin
And where exactly do you get this brilliant insight? Please note your sources.
FWIW, I agree AND disagree with you. (does that make me bipolar? :-) )
People that really have a mental disorder won't just "Snap out of it". Things like depression, or "Bipolarity" are treatable with therapy and medication....but aren't something that you just get over.
However - for people who use a self-diagnosed mental condition as their "disease/excuse du jour" - Mr Adams is absolutely correct. They should get the hell over themselves.
Frankly, the number of people who think that they need happy pills (Xanax, etc) to get through the day, frightens the hell out of me.
I learned in ce training that if someone acts like a complete a-hole that means he has “Borderline Personality Disorder.”
“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?”
Just to be clear, are you saying that every single person who is diagnosed as bi-polar and prescribed anti-depressants is the same as you?
My experience is that there is a significant amount of people who are as this article points out, self-absorbed. They find an excuse and follow the path their shrink recommends. Then, they treat people really, really badly and don’t feel guilty because they are “bi-polar”.
I said “treatable”....meant “manageable”. Need more coffee.
Sometimes an a-hole really is just an a-hole.
bttt
Thanks, Laz. Now I know why the Polar Bear population has been diminishing - they need to stick to being hetero Polar Bears.
However, there are many drug addicts, who get diagnosed with a mental disorder for profit. Depending on the diagnosis, what the government pays (Medicaid) varies. The more severe the illness, the more money for the institutions that serve them, and a lifetime of no responsibility for the person diagnosed.
It is unfortunate that those will real mental illnesses are lumped in with so many who don't want legitimate help, but like the idea of doctors covering for their true illness, drug addiction.
I know a man who hears at least 400 voices. He is totally unable to function in society, so volunteers doing yard work, janitorial work, or whatever someone needs that he is able to do. However, he is not consistent because of the voices. That is why he volunteers. I've also dealt with depressed people, the most frustrating for me, because I see things so differently. No person who is mentally ill wants to be in that position. And, most do the best they can to cope with their illnesses, just like we do, who suffer with headaches, or whatever. Good luck to you, as you fight depression.
The jerk store called and they are running out of you!
“And where exactly do you get this brilliant insight? Please note your sources.”
Do your own research. Anti-depressants became the most prescribed drug in the USA years ago. There are literally hundreds of millions of prescriptions filled every year. Just because you are close to the issue doesn’t mean you have to lose your objectivity and become snarky.
There is a guy who lives on balds on the Appalachian Trail. He suffers from Depression. He medicates himself by placing himself in danger. Camping on a bald in the winter is a good way to die from exposure. But he and his dog will go up there for long periods of time and tough it out.
I suffered from Depression and it isn’t fun but it isn’t the worst thing that can happen. The worst thing that can happen is that you lose hope and take your own life. There are people all over the world that could use your help. If you want to die, go and help them. If you get killed doing it, win-win.
There are people who hike the Appalachian Trail hoping that it will help them with the Depression. I don’t know if it works but it sure beats sitting at home, chewing on a pistol.
“I was going to kill myself by jumping off a building but I am scared of heights”
Diehard - go easy on these folks and, as I do, rejoice in their ignorance about this disorder. May they never have to experience the real thing, and have their ignorance revealed to them. And the heartbreak and misery that accompany that experience.
My mom was diagnosed bipolar in her early 60s, about 15 years ago. She is in the hospital now for the 4th time in 15 years, twice in the last 8 months. Completely delusional. As difficult as it is for my sister and I (dad passed last year), it is hard to imagine the toll it has taken on her.
My first take is to be really pi$$ed off at articles like this and the ensuing spewing of ignorance, but then I remember, they really have no clue whatsover, and how lucky is that?
Good luck to you and your family and friends.
> FWIW, I agree AND disagree with you. (does that make me bipolar? :-) )
(grin!) It happens that I agree with you completely. Can’t find anything in this note to disagree with.
> However - for people who use a self-diagnosed mental condition as their “disease/excuse du jour” - Mr Adams is absolutely correct. They should get the hell over themselves.
Interestingly, one of the main features of both Depression and Bipolar Disorder (the real things) is that the patient seldom diagnoses themselves: usually others notice that there’s “something wrong” with them first and gets them to a doctor. It was certainly that way with me.
Similarly, the patient seldom knows whether the meds are working or not. Others notice first.
> Frankly, the number of people who think that they need happy pills (Xanax, etc) to get through the day, frightens the hell out of me.
It probably should. For the most part the medicines themselves aren’t bad at all: you barely notice the effect, if at all, of being on them.
However, some of the side-effects of some of these medicines are frankly scary. Why anyone would want to risk , say, violent hallucinations as a side-effect of a medicine they don’t really need is way beyond me. These meds are playing with the mind and the chemicals the mind needs to function right. Not something to be taken lightly at all.
The problem with people being bipolar is that so many of them like to add alcohol to the problem.
Highpolar bears: Junkies.
Ryepolar bears: Alcoholics.
Crypolar bears: PMS-ing female bears.
Dyepolar bears: Bears that follow the Grateful Dead.
An anagram of BIPOLAR is PARBOIL.
Thanks, Dmz
Self-medication is certainly not the answer...unless that self-medication is lots of exercise and fresh air!
The impression I get from people I know who work in schools is that over half the kids are bipolar, ADD, dyslexic, manic-depressive, SED (severely emotionally disturbed,) learning disabled, autistic, or some other ailment. When I was a kid, I don't remember anybody having these things. I compared notes once among the adult females I know. I was surprised how many are on anti-depressants. Either there's something in the water, or we've turned into a nation of spoiled, overmedicated, whining excuse-makers. I suspect the latter.
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