by greymatters on Jul.20, 2009, under Health
So the heat is bothering you……
Imagine dealing with something just as overwhemling and constant as the Tucson summer heat for more than just a few months a year? Imagine having to deal with a mental illness that is part of every day with no hope of a break or a crisp autumn day to ever refresh you outlook?
That is what it’s like for some people living with ” mental illness” or, as I prefer to say biologically based “brain disorder,” because after all, that’s what these illnesses are. People with Bi-polar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Depression, Obsessive/Compulsive disorder, Anxiety/panic disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder. Borderline Personality Disorder and yes, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder all experience changes in their brains that most of us will never have to tolerate. They are not caused by bad parenting or character flaws and I hope and pray that one day we will know exactly what causes these illnesses and exactly the best way to treat and prevent them. For now we need to do what we can to support this population and not stigmatise them because they were unfortunate enough to carry the gene or the predisposition, or the mis-firing or overproducing chemical or whatever it is, to cause them to be vulnerable to an illness that causes more disability than any other.
I’m not a doctor, or a therapist (although I had my share of therapy), or a case manager or a clinical director or any professional trained to work in this field, but I am a parent of an unbelievably gifted son who had his life torn from him because of a terrifying illness called schizophrenia. As is common, his disorder didn’t manifest until he was approaching 18 years old……..a time when most young people are anticipating an exciting and rewarding future. My son, Daniel, had planned on attending Harvard. Then the bottom fell out.
So, here I am, almost four years later. He is gone and I miss him every day. I don’t want anyone to have to go through what he went through. I don’t want another family to live through what we did. There are so many things to talk about, so much information needed to disseminate, so many stories – both tragic and uplifting – to share with what, at times, can be an uneducated, callous population that continues to sneer and snicker at people living with mental illness. Would you ever laugh at a person with cancer or diabetes? It’s not their fault – either.
Hopefully this blog can help to discourage unlrealistic views and expectations for this most vulnerable population. I’m not asking for your sympathy, just your empathy for people with a brain disorder and your willingness to learn about and discuss one of the most devasting illnesses effecting our community. 1 in 4 people are effected by mental illness at one point in their life…….That’s over 250,000 people, just in Tucson! It’s time to bring it out in the open and not hide behind shame and embarrassment.
So, I don’t mean to scold or to sound like I’m venting my anger. I got over it a long time ago. I’m here to write about many different issues that face these people and their families. With the right treatment and support, mental health recovery is possible. I’m amazed by the journeys many of the people I have met have walked, yet they continue to positively and pro-actively face the future.
No ethnic group, socio-economical group, or cultural group is immune. It is an equal opportunity disorder worldwide. And, it’s been around for ages…..Many people you have heard of suffered from some kind of brain disorder…….Abraham Lincoln, Beethoven, Einstein, Tipper Gore, Terry Bradshaw and Jane Pauley just to name a few. Chances are you or someone you know is currently living with one of the disorders mentioned above.
It’s time to talk. Let me know your thoughts, ideas and comments. In the future I’ll be providing information about local organizations, events, legislation, treatments and general topics related to mental health.
15 Comments for this entry
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July 20th, 2009 on 7:29 am
Very thought-provoking, keep’em coming, please.
July 20th, 2009 on 10:36 am
Very good. Made me think about some things in a different way.
July 20th, 2009 on 10:52 am
Some eye opening statistics.
July 20th, 2009 on 11:02 am
Susan,
I am so glad you are writing this blog to bring more awareness and understanding to everybody.
You were always a great source of info. for any mental health related stories I wrote, not to mention one of the most courageous people I know. Keep it up,
Ryn.
July 20th, 2009 on 11:03 am
Talking about stigma, I hid my bipolar illness from co-workers for 15 years. I felt shamed. I finally quit the stressful job, which helped my recovery. I still have the disorder yet feel strongly that recovery is possible! And I can talk about my illness now which I feel helps others in their recovery.
July 20th, 2009 on 11:11 am
Susan – as usual a great job!
July 20th, 2009 on 1:27 pm
Thanks for speaking out and helping inform the public, Susan. And I second Ryn on everything she said.
July 20th, 2009 on 3:58 pm
WOW! Another way to get the word out, look foward to seeing more!
July 20th, 2009 on 4:34 pm
Hi Renee. I met you before through the MyTucson column. My mom has paranoid schizophrenia. She has her moments – lucidity, craziness, paranoia, etc. She seems to be doing okay on her medications, but as you may know the dose has to be ever-adjusted and changed so it’s not just a simple case of popping a pill and everything’s okay.
I have an 8-year-old son and worry he will get it too. He has his moments as well at 8 that make me go hmmmm, and he exhibits some problem behavior that I’m told my mom had at that age. So, I certainly wont’ be surprised if someday he has to deal with that so I’m at least mentally prepared for it.
The unfortunate things people who have brain disorders have to deal with, to me, is how they often get 1) swept under the carpet (or onto the streets) and 2) how they are sometimes viewed as less than human – like a vermin or something and 3) they are invisible even when standing right in front of someone.
There was a recent public call-out for items for Tucson’s homeless population and on another comment board, I was very saddened about posts that pretty much said it wasn’t a good cause. The Humane Society put out a call and got lots of donations (yay). Yet a call-out for humans – most of which I’m sure have mental illness – yields a “they deserve it” or “they’re lazy” attitude. Of course, this is because they only see the drug and alcohol addictions – and mental illness is ignored.
Thanks for shedding light on the subject. I look forward to more.
July 20th, 2009 on 6:52 pm
“Write” on! ‘Looking forward to seeing what comes from you next! ‘Am so proud of you in so many ways and this is just another great example of what one person can do to help educate the community.
July 22nd, 2009 on 9:15 pm
Susan,
I love the blog and all the important points you make. It appears it is generating some great response too!
Keep it up. This is really good stuff!!!
July 23rd, 2009 on 9:42 am
The remarks on stigma were moving, but what can the ordinary citizen do to fight stigma?
July 23rd, 2009 on 1:06 pm
Bomars
There is a lot one person can do…..and you can start by telling people you know what you’ve learned so far in this blog! If you are a member of a civic group or even at your place of employment, NAMI Southern Arizona has presenters and programs that available at no charge for people to educate themselves. A great website with loads of info about fighting stigma is at: http://www.nami.org/template.cfm?section=fight_stigma
Hope this helps and thanks for the interest!
Susan
July 27th, 2009 on 3:26 pm
Thanks for the very courageous and inspirational introductory post. I thank you for sharing your powerful personal story which really personalizes the very real issue of mental illness and how devastating it can be for so many of our families. We can all use more education, support, and inspiration from people like you. Keep them coming, I will keep an eye out.
August 6th, 2009 on 2:06 pm
Very impressive and thought provoking words, Susan. Keep it up!