I've recently come across a few threads in this forum that emphasize the negative aspects of mental illness (like people who shoot up schools, for instance).

However, there are just as many (if not more) success stories out there!

Here is a partial list:

Famous people with schizophrenia -

Schizophrenia.com - Famous People, celebrity, John Nash

Famous people with bipolar disorder (note that Winston Churchill and Theodore Roosevelt - among others) are listed here -

Famous People with Bipolar Disorder

Famous people with obsessive compulsive disorder -

HereToHelp.bc.ca - Publications - Fact Sheets - Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

Famous people with depression (clinical) (note that Abraham Lincoln is listed here) -

Famous People With Depression

Famous Alcoholics and drug addicts. . . I won't go there. However, I will say this: Our current president (GWB) is most arguably one of these people (which qualifies, of course, as a form of mental illness!).

I'm just saying here (as a person who is recovering from mental illness) that I have to focus on the positive, and forget about the negative (as it is the only to successfully recover).

Anyway, have a wonderful day.

- Nightrider

Insanity is often accompanied by great genius. I think insanity is misunderstood, and in some cases, is a gift.

Generally as a rule of thumb a Genius is not insane. Mental illness is not a bad thing unless one doesn't realize they are mentally ill. Then it becomes sad and dangerous.

Welcome to the Forums Seasons!

I have to say I disagree with your premise though. The very word "Illness" makes it "a bad thing" ...

That's like saying diabetes is not a bad thing unless one doesn't realize they are diabetic. Even after the diagnosis, the endless dietary changes and possible metabolic flukes that can bring down the entire health of the person, the insulin shots and attempting to reach regulated and normalized blood sugar levels is not a good thing.

So it would seem to me with mental illness. The illness itself is not a good thing, and it carries with it a life long essential need for the disciplines of medication and perhaps quite the row to hoe to find the right treatment and the right dosage for any drugs, and as the person's own aging and chemistry transitions through life, perhaps too the needs for treatment change course too.

When in any obstacle we face, be it mental health or otherwise, we find the indomitable human spirit rising to the challenge and besting the circumstances with our own inner-strength and the comfort and strength of family and friends, then the challenge serves as a stage for the triumph of the heart.

And that is what is "the good thing" ...

OD

Maybe I worded that a little off. Any type of illness is bad. But when controllable can make for a as close to "normal" life as possible.

Yes.

OD