I had some follow up thoughts based on a fb post I wrote late last night. Thoughts on people's view of the Mentally Disabled. And I'm not talking about pity. I would say the majority of people are completely unaware of what someone with a mental disability looks like. That would be because, like physical disabilities - the view is incredibly varied. I am mentally disabled. My disorder has one of the largest fatality rates. I receive ssdi and have binders after binders to prove my need for it. But it sucks how often I have to prove this to people who don't even have the right to question me on this. I once had a dermatologist who told me that he knew what a depressed person looks like and I wasn't it. This was in order to prescribe me a drug for acne that has been since taken to court due to its side effects for those struggling with depression. I attempted suicide that year - so yeah, watch out for accutane.
What I'm getting at is that few people who struggle with mental illness are going to look like they are mentally disabled. Sure you can probably spot down syndrome. And maybe autism or aspergers as they are characterized by difficulties with social interaction. But what about mental disabilities that don't necessarily effect one's ability to thrive at communication? Serial killers, abusive controllers and child molesters can all be prime examples of people with more socially capable mental conditions that can clearly hide these problems indefinitely. The telly shows us each of these conditions, if not extremely exaggerating them at times. And of course, that impacts people's view of mental illness as well.
But "There are many different mental disorders, with different presentations. They are generally characterized by a combination of abnormal thoughts, perceptions, emotions, behaviour and relationships with others." says the World Health Organization. And far too many are still sadly in grey areas for classification purposes. It took a very long time to understand the human body. It will take even longer for the mind.
And this is what makes these types of things SO Incredibly Difficult for doctors to treat. Many of these issues cannot be tested for at all, but must rely on psych evaluations that are subjective and based on what the patient is able to convey to their doctor. Often, that can end up meaning in order to receive help for their problems, a mental patient must be incredibly self-aware with good communications skills and wants help -- or they find themselves a Miracle Max.
All this to say - just because you cannot see it, doesn't mean it isn't there.
There are many many people struggling with mental illness. And a good chunk of them are not even aware of their own state of being. That was me for far too long. I tried so hard to "fix" a problem, when I didn't even know what it was.
I understand it better now. And I write what I learn, to help others understand themselves better. This is a task that I do not enjoy and I often post late at night, as it gives me courage to post at all. It's hard opening up about these problems. But it's not just sin that thrives in isolation. Any struggles do. It's important to open up. To talk about them. To see them more clearly in solidarity. Only then can you truly begin to tackle them. God gave us a community. We must use it. It was not simply made for fun and fellowship, but for survival and betterment. And I thank Him for that. For all of you. Very much indeed <3
