I was going to name this thread "Mental Illness," but I chose instead to name it "Mental Health."

In the midst of scanning some of the threads here at DTT, I have occassionally come across references to mental illness, so I thought I would add some of my own thoughts to this subject matter. . .

You see, my friends, I was diagnosed with paraniod schizophrenia around the age of 22 (while I was in the military). After living in hell for a little over 10 years, I have finally arrived at the point where my illness is not only manageable, but I have basically made a full recovery. . .

Now, I have the opportunity to go to med school myself and become a psychiatrist - an opportunity that I'm going to take advantage of.

There have been numerous other cases like mine - about people getting sick and then making full recoveries. A lot of these people end up becoming doctors, lawyers, and even politicians. However, a lot of people with mental illness aren't so fortunate as myself and a handful of others.

I was lucky. My family was rich, and I had the access to the necessary recources. I've always been on the latest in medication and have had the money to afford the best therapists. I was also fortunate to be granted full social security and medicare benefits at a young age.

Before I go any further, I want to say that mental illness is like getting cancer or diabetes, - it's something you just get. It's an illness, and it's not our fault that we get this illness.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of misunderstanding out there on the part of the average American. A lot of this ignorance is justified (to be frank), because a lot of people with mental illness are violently homicidal. Unfortunately, that is the sad reality of things. The question remains - What do we do with these people, and how do we treat them?

I will say this - like any other illness, anyone can get it. In other words, both good people and bad people become mentally ill. That is why there are so many diagnoseses out there - including the diagnoses of "criminally insane."

Anyway, as a budding psychiatrist and someone who has fully recovered from a severe mental illness, I would like to start a thread on this subject. I was hesitant to do this, but I think that the time is right. There have been a lot of recent breakthroughs in psychiatric research. What the experts are finding out is that mentally ill people are usually smarter than normal people, and can do anything that they set their mind to. The people who suffer from mental illness just need to get on the right meds, get stable, and then anything is possible.

Is there anyone out there who has any thoughts whatsoever on this subject matter? Your input will be greatly appreciated. . .

Thanks!

- Nightrider

Nightrider, that is an amazing story!!! Congrats to you

Thanks, man!

Even though we don't agree on a lot of issues, I consider you a friend.

Hope to also hear some thoughts on this matter. Great story!!

I suspect that's because they have more to overcome.

I've heard studies that show left-handed people are typically smarter than right-handed people. I believe it's because this world is typically designed for the right-handed people, and the left-handed people have to mentally adapt to the scissors, to the cars, etc, etc.

Similarly with physical handicaps. A person who is stuck in a wheel-chair with non-functional legs will typically develop better upper-body strength to move the wheel-chair. Blind people will pay closer attention to their environment because they have to.

And I suspect you have had to adapt a lot in your life, and you are stronger for it.
I'm glad you shared your story. I believe our society in general is too quick to dismiss mental health issues. I can't help but wonder how many undiagnosed mentally ill people are walking around that could get help.
If we have a cold, we can pick up a decongestant and a cough suppressant, along with something to help us sleep.
If a loved one dies and the person becomes mentally stressed because of it, people often don't know how to react. An eventual failure to bounce back may prompt people to tell the grieving to snap out of it.

Try and compare a societal reaction to telling the boss that you need to take time off for a weekly therapy session from a psychiatrist, and a weekly therapy session from a physical therapist.

Congrats on your recovery NightRider.

As far as lleft handed people we have to find alternate ways of thinking.

Thanks, foundit, for your kindness and your input. . .

I was probably too quick to "generalize" by comparing mentally ill people to "normal" people. . .

After all, what is normal?

Anyway, I appreciate everyone's kind words and comments. . . and as far as people who are undiagnosed (people who are still suffering out there), I guess that was the point of this thread. . .

How do we help these people, and when is the right time to intervene? I wish I knew the answer. . .

Thanks for sharing your story, nightrider - and good luck with your career!

I have little (if any, at all) experience with mental illness. If anybody I have ever known had some kind of problem, I never knew about it.

There is only thing that will help people in this situation: education. (well, and of course, lots of money)

Originally posted by tristanrobin:

Thanks, tristan.

I sort of agree with you about the education and money issue. Sadly, not all people who suffer from mental illness have access to a lot of money - so, alas, they don't have the opportunity to go to school.

These are the people who eventually wind up in mental hospitals - some for the rest of their lives. I have interacted with some of these people, and their "situation" is not a pretty site.

I'm not going to go into government funding for these places, but let's just say that I personally believe that more work needs to be done in this area. And that's where the problem gets complicated. . .

nightrider it is quite reassuring to hear that you have made a full recovery. In my family we have a variety of mental illnesses (as i believe is the case with most families) however we have been quite successful at acknowledging them.

My grandfather was actually a psychopath (no awareness beyond his own universe, brilliant manipulative abilities, selfdestructive tendencies and a seeming lack of a conscience). He turned that way due to a fall from a horse at a young age (damaging the frontal lobes of the brain and thus making him incapable of empathy at any more than an intellectual level).

My mother's father had had strong neuroses as a result of a domineering and fastidious mother (as well as issues developed from his time in the Danish Resistance in WW2) which he transmitted to his own children.

Myself and some of my cousins (particularly the older ones closer to my age) have followed in the footsteps of our elders by battling with depression and eating disorders.

Mental health is the most difficult to maintain. Due to the individuality of humans , to maintain mental health requires constant analysis of self and solutions are also a completely individual process.

Acknowledging mendtal disorders and dealing with them requires a lot of bravery. A mental disorder is a sign that all is not as it should have been in your past. To acknowledge that something in your past has been detrimental is perceived as extremely dangerous as it will require a re-evaluation of all the you are and allt he you have experienced.

Mental illness is not a disease that is to be treated or destroyed. It is an indicator that must be heeded when it shows itself.

I am sure that part of your recovery process involved not only meds, but also intensive re-evaluation of what you were, what you have experienced and what you have been led to believe.

I think meds can assist you in dealing with these problems, and in some cases suppress the symptoms of mental issues.. but the cure can only take the shape of mental re-evalution.