I am interested in finding out from my readers, especially those who've experienced mental illness, what their relationships are like with others who have mental illness. I'd like to hear your opinion on 2 things:
-the quantity of relationships one with mental illness has with others with mental illness compared to that of the regular population (outside of support groups, health facilities, etc); other than the normal meetings spots previously mentioned, do find people with mental illness tend to group together? Are there patterns? Are we 'drawn to one another' somehow?
-the quality of the relationship one with mental illness has with others with mental illness; I'm most interested in stories involving work or personal relationships outside of typical health settings. How did you find out the other person had a mental illness? Did you disclose first?
While scientific research is interesting, I'd really like to know your opinion from your own experience. You can post as anonymous if you'd like. Note, this is not an official survey, just an online discussion.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
6 comments:
Hi,
I tend to keep mostly to myself as I don't feel the need for sustained social contact others do, plus feel uncomfortable in group settings. Not part of the mainstream at all, although I don't stand out.
Diagnosed BP in 1994, I also suspect Aspergers since I tend to work well on my own-I could probably get alot more done if I wasn't so depressed most of the time (and could summon up more help i.e. relationships). Also I am quite untalkative which may make others suspicious (I imagine).
I am hoping a recent medication change may improve things-valproate to lamictal. I am 39, male. I have an engineering degree but have trouble with office politics; currently I am unemployed (except for self-employment in construction). I also enjoy philosophy and music. And boating.
Hi again,
I would also say that in terms of quality, I tend to identify more with people who have a mental illness, apparent or not. Perhaps we have different expectations and can sense this in certain individuals.
I am very open about having bipolar, so most people that I know are aware of it. I find that people who have an illness, or are only one step removed, approach me to discuss their own issues, especially if they are feeling any kind of stigma. There is definitely a connection there because of shared experience, and the opportunity to help one another.
I wouldn't say that those friendships have more depth to them than others necessarily. To me it is more that they have different qualities.
Having said that, I have one friend who has repeatedly refused to talk to me about anything, since he went into a psychosis episode a long time ago. There is a very unusual dynamic there!
Modern medicine sees all mental illness deriving only from the brain - primarily from neurotransmitter imbalance and nothing else - the truth is that in many cases there is often an underlining physical cause (eg: infection, celiac disease, etc) and this is often never investigated, and so its no wonder today we are faced with the current tragedy that the Mentally ill die 25 years earlier, i mean look at these studies:
'An autopsy of 82 patients who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Gastritis was found in 50%, enteritis in 85% and colitis in 92%.' read more...
'99% certain of a genetic association between schizophrenia and coeliac disease' read more..
'Enterocolitis discovered in the majority of children with Autistic spectrum disorders'
for more see
http://www.gutandmentalillness.com
I have always wanted to find someone as a partner who had dealt with or is dealing with a mental illness. I have only dated women who have not and although they have all been amazing and supportive, it would be so nice to be with someone who could relate. Do you know of any places in Ottawa where people can meet each other?
I think that's an interesting set of questions you pose. I am someone who is not open about the fact that I have schizoaffective disorder, but this is only because I don't want to find myself put into boxes (which, even in this day and age, I think would happen all too readily). I think, too, I would have a tendency towards self-pity if I thought of myself as so-and-so with a mental illness.
Because I'm not open about my own mental illness, I don't think I gravitate towards others who have mental illnesses; on the surface it looks like we have nothing in common. Also as I result, I believe, I find that I tend to make friends with people who don't ask too many questions. So my friends are generally not mentally ill, but they're not necessarily terribly close friends either; I keep my thoughts and feelings and history to myself.
I guess my relationships, as everything else in my life, are affected by my mental illness.
Post a Comment