tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239140084937897595.post1690055257423907041..comments2023-10-19T10:26:30.108-04:00Comments on Yin and Yang: Mental Illness AwarenessUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239140084937897595.post-11571094923435120002012-10-16T15:08:13.216-04:002012-10-16T15:08:13.216-04:00I'm guilty of throwing about terms like 'c...I'm guilty of throwing about terms like 'crazy' and damnit, I of all people should know better! <br />I'm finding more and more mental illness is being brought to the light and my greatest hope is that we find understanding.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14416223407061042602noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239140084937897595.post-79003933910370786042012-10-16T07:42:18.023-04:002012-10-16T07:42:18.023-04:00Hi Kate!
Mental illness is terribly feared by my ...Hi Kate!<br /><br />Mental illness is terribly feared by my father. I can definitely say that because of it he will never be proud of me. He can't see what I've accomplished despite the illness because it is too painful for him to even contemplate the illness. Whenever I speak to him I don't mention any of my experiences with it. <br /><br />I've noticed that people seem to be interested in the fact that I've got an illness, but in about half that hear about it I see some sign of fear. Surprisingly I've seen some strong fear from certain mental health providers, which is really sad. I've got wonderful acceptance from some, but weird panic and prejudice from others. So even people who get to know us can have the failing of only fixating on the worst case scenarios, they are blind to the many wonderful human beings within.<br /><br />Overall I've stopped telling people anything more then that I'm disabled. If pressed, I will say that I've got a mental illness but that I take medication. <br /><br />People are really, really scared and ignorant about schizophrenia. In part, it is because of the media and the sensationalized criminal stories there. I had a friend who is bipolar who stopped watching the popular tv show "Law and Order" because she said that there was a pattern with all the bad guys being mentally ill.<br /><br />You Kate and Jen have my respect for being so open about your illness in your blogs. It takes courage. And your experiences are a testament to bravery in the face of adversity.<br /><br />Keep writing! You both add to the richness of human culture with your blogs! <br /><br />All my love,<br />Karen Karen May Sorensenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14436905322393073250noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7239140084937897595.post-88195666002304600202012-10-14T21:52:05.996-04:002012-10-14T21:52:05.996-04:00I agree, Kate! I hate words like "crazy"...I agree, Kate! I hate words like "crazy", and "normal" because they are so stigmatizing and they just serve to pigeonhole people into stupid little categories, where real people do not fit. I appreciate this post. Happy Mental Health Awareness Week!Feminist Voice with Disabilitieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04971702402040080054noreply@blogger.com