Perhaps one can become too involved with a mental illness. But I think it depends on what a person is dealing with in a mental illness. I would hate to label someone with just purposely focusing all thier attention on their own issues. But after coming to PC and even dealing with my own issues, I have a much better understanding of how hard people try to overcome their issues. And what I see is that none of them want this to be their life, even want to give up altogether.

I know myself I would really like to not address my PTSD, but it can be hard to ignore. I seem to gain, wanting to gain and then something happens and I fall and I get angry because of it. And I think if someone tried to explain it to me and I had never experienced it, I would probably suggest various ways of distracting methods.

With PTSD for example it can be accumulative and one may be unaware they have it.
That's what gets me, I was a very productive person and struggled through many terrible things, pushing it away, striving to the next step. But I had no idea that it was somehow accumulating as I went along. Then something major happened and it was the straw that broke the camels back. I literally could not understand how it would all clump together, I couldn't understand that if I had remembered, then why would I suddenly have flashbacks as if I didn't remember. I still don't quite understand to be honest and am trying to understand and learn about it. I surely don't want it to be my life, I pray that it wont.

I think that it is this way for others too. So many people are so confused and get very angry that they can't seem to control what is wrong with them. I think it is pretty sad myself. The overall impression I get from the different people here at PC is that they really want to get on with their lives, they don't want to be tied down to whatever they do deal with. I have seen a lot of courage here, people trying very hard, so I don't think anyone wants it to be their life, at least not from what I see here.

As I have said before PC has been a wonderful source of support for many and I really respect that.

I have heard people in my life make fun of those with BP and other disorders, now, if I am around that kind of person, I don't have any respect for them. People don't
pick these disorders, no one wants to be struck with depression or chronic anxiety disorders.

It is possible that some people use their illness for control or even attention, well, that is probably a disorder in itself. But I really don't see that in PC, at least not that I am aware of, everyone seems to be trying very hard and many are supportive and helpful towards others. I have met better mentally ill people than people outside PC.
More genuine concern and wouldn't it be nice to see more of that outside PC.

Open Eyes