I don't get it. If You're sick, and You know You're sick, You get help. You don't go around sneezing on people. Why don't people use the same logic with mental illness?
The reason people don't use the same logic with mental illness is because a) with a few exceptions, there are no treatments for mental illness; b) mental illness affects decision making.
and seeking treatment already implies telling someone other than yourself that you are sick. Seeing how mental illness is generally stigmatised, not so many people perhaps are willing to discuss it with another.
@krzys, I buy the second argument, but the first makes no sense (are we observing the second in action, right there?!). There are no known *cures* for all sorts of illnesses (cancer, aids, the common cold) yet people seek treatment for symptoms, because those symptoms impact the quality of their lives.
Anyway, that "I don't get it" was more an expression of frustration and grief, rather than a real lack of understanding. I can understand, on a cognitive level, that which I cannot accept emotionally.
Maybe causing Yourself or others passing distress, rather than something more chronic? Like, at a time of particularly high stress, when emotional resources are low, and You yell at Your loved ones more than usual?
The reason people don't use the same logic with mental illness is because a) with a few exceptions, there are no treatments for mental illness; b) mental illness affects decision making.
ReplyDeleteand seeking treatment already implies telling someone other than yourself that you are sick. Seeing how mental illness is generally stigmatised, not so many people perhaps are willing to discuss it with another.
ReplyDelete@krzys, I buy the second argument, but the first makes no sense (are we observing the second in action, right there?!). There are no known *cures* for all sorts of illnesses (cancer, aids, the common cold) yet people seek treatment for symptoms, because those symptoms impact the quality of their lives.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, that "I don't get it" was more an expression of frustration and grief, rather than a real lack of understanding. I can understand, on a cognitive level, that which I cannot accept emotionally.
What's an example of a mental illness "sneeze"?
ReplyDeleteMaybe causing Yourself or others passing distress, rather than something more chronic? Like, at a time of particularly high stress, when emotional resources are low, and You yell at Your loved ones more than usual?
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're trying to add "being an asshole" to DSM-V.
ReplyDelete