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#1
May 30, 2011, 11:54 PM
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I hope I don't offend anyone in this post. I am schizophrenic and lately I've been wondering if mental illness is caused by a character flaw. I sometimes hear people say mentally ill people are losers and they deserve what they get. I often wonder if I had better morals, would I have turned out the way I am today. If I got along with others, if I paid attention to others, if I tried to do my best in society, if I had better morals, would I have become this jacked up? I'm not saying this is true for everyone, but for myself, knowing who I am, I often wonder if I am a mentally ill loser? I've been called that several times, indirectly and sometimes directly. I don't know what to think of mental illness anymore. I sometimes wonder if it is a curse from God.
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#2
May 31, 2011, 06:01 AM
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you are not a loser, its not a character flaw. Its not your fault. Who would choose this? Its not a curse from god. Its chemicals in your brain not doing what they should. But even if it wasnt, you would have my sympathy.
People can be so quick to judge those in pain. Or those who are different. But its not right! |
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#3
May 31, 2011, 07:58 AM
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No, it's not a character flaw. One in four have a mental health problem, does that make them all losers? No. It's a sensitivity to psychological distress.
__________________
 Pegasus Got a quick question related to mental health or a treatment? Ask it here General Q&A Forum “Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by it's ability to climb a tree, it will live it's whole life believing that it is stupid.” - Albert Einstein |
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#4
May 31, 2011, 09:54 PM
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You are most definitely not a loser, and mental illness is not a character weakness or a flaw. It's a combination of brain chemicals and environment & it can strike anyone.
I hate the fact that I have experience with mental illness but it does not define me. I hate the fact that there is still so much ignorance, paranoia, and stigma around mental illness. --splitimage
__________________
 "I danced in the morning when the world was begun. I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun". From my favourite hymn. "If you see the wonder in a fairy tale, you can take the future even if you fail." Abba 
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#5
May 31, 2011, 10:35 PM
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apparently im a loser, whether or not i would have got this mental illness i have...
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#6
May 31, 2011, 11:43 PM
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Quote:
Open Eyes |
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#7
May 31, 2011, 11:45 PM
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I just wanted to add that there some nice people here, and nicer and more compassionate than other so call normal people. It is always nice to see the ones that support and are compassionate.
Open Eyes |
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#8
Jun 01, 2011, 01:06 AM
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No character flaw--your illness is likely largely genetics. People still have a stigma about mental illness as it's not well understood. Our medical scientists are still trying to figure out exactly what triggers it and how to treat it most effectively. They have come a long way but have a long way to go. You wouldn't think you were a "loser" if you had cancer or diabetes or seizures, would you? Mental illness isn't really that much different.
When someone is gossiping or name calling, I always think that is a reflection on the one doing the gossiping or the name calling. It may or may not be true. But it does say a lot about the person who would repeat something or make up something or call a person an unkind name. Shake that off--you can't change it, it is a reflection on them, not you. Deal with the things you can change--your own feelings about yourself. You might try some of the cognitive behavior exercises. They can really help you get a more realistic look at your world and those around you. Some are found in Burns, "Feeling Good Handbook". It's good for anyone, mentally ill or not. Teaches you to be aware of the cognitive distortions or faulty reasoning that can cloud your world with sadness. One easy exercise I learned elsewhere is to take a negative thought, like, "I must be a loser". Write it down. Then write down 10 reasons why this might not be true. Keep going till you get to 10. For example: 1. I found a website where others with illnesses like mine can write to me and help me out. 2. My mother likes me. 3. My dog absolutely adores me. 4. I am good at _____ (fill in something you pride yourself in doing, even if it's just, "I cook a mean hamburger on the grill!") 5. I graduated from high school in the top half of my class. 6. I enjoy water skiing and do pretty well at it. Etc. You get the idea. |
 Open Eyes
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#9
Jun 01, 2011, 01:53 AM
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I don't believe mental illness is caused by character flaws. I don't know anyone who doesn't have character flaws. I don't think there is anyone who doesn't have character flaws.
I would question the character of anyone who would say mentally ill people are losers and deserve what they get. I'm curious about why you question your morals so much. I don't think a bad person would question their morals. Do you feel like you don't pay enough attention to others or don't try to get along with others? That is something that is within your control to a great extent. Being agnostic I probably shouldn't comment on the cursed by god possibility but I think it's highly unlikely that you are 
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#10
Jun 01, 2011, 01:40 PM
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I've met a lot of bad, unethical and immoral people who aren't mentally ill. The social system we live in is designed so some people win and most people lose.
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This is an old thread. You probably should not post your reply to it, as the original poster is unlikely to see it.|
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My Support Forums is the online community that was originally begun as the Psych Central Forums in 2001. It now runs as an independent self-help support group community for mental health, personality, and psychological issues and is overseen by a group of dedicated, caring volunteers from around the world.
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