Quote:
Originally Posted by Vibe
The point is not that mental illness comes from being a malingerer or personal failing. I think we all experience symptoms which can make life very difficult to function through. Nobody is saying you can just ‘get over it.’ But how we deal with these symptoms is a choice. It is not all chemicals and brain structures. To get where I am, I had to choose to do the work I do.
I really think this is the elephant in the room that nobody wants to discuss – the times I could cut but struggle to find a way not to. The times when the negative thoughts are alluring and threaten to overwhelm, but I fight them off… and the times when I do not. When it’s just easier to go through the bad moments than to do the work, even when I know I could probably do some very uncomfortable things to lessen my bad experiences. At what point am I held accountable for this? We all have our crosses in life to bear. When does the element of personal responsibility come back on me for not appropriately dealing with the problems I have? Because it’s not always that I ‘can’t,’ particularly after I’ve learned coping mechanisms. But that it’s so damn difficult and daunting sometimes and requires too much energy. Am I not still responsible for maintaining myself?
As for the discussion on PTSD – is it really considered to be ‘disordered’ to experience some difficulties because you killed someone and were almost killed yourself? I agree that I would be worried if someone did not experience aftereffects due to these kinds of extreme situations. Nobody’s trying to be disrespectful or undermine the suffering these people. On the contrary – maybe it requires more than modern psychology can fully account for? Psychology is a science. It’s distant and detached, even while trying to help. And there are some personal issues it does not tackle well. I think looking at the brain certainly has it’s place, but sometimes the problems run deeper, and more help than just psychological help is needed for these problems.
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I think the only elephant in the room is the lack of understanding. And perhaps you are right about some issues that can run deeper than just receiving pshychological help or just trying to do the work as you say.
Somehow I hope not Vibe. It is thought that PTSD may effect the natural process of chemicals in the brain. I am leary of medication and I am trying to do the work without trying to put chemicals into my brain.
What I do feel and have learned by coming to PC is to do my best to not be judgemental of others. And I do understand that people do suffer and really try and also do the work and as you say and I know it is not easy. As for you congratulations on what you have been accomplishing, very inspiring.
And as you say often the science of psychology is often distant and still trying to understand the issues and find solutions.
While we cannot give up and hide within illness wether it be deemed a disorder by that science or not, we still have to realize that it is unfair to assume that those who do not seem able to succeed and remain in some way disabled, it may not be thier fault.
Hopefully the science will not remain at such a distance and more people will get the aid they need to help them better do the work and overcome their issues.
Open Eyes