Crazy, Ain't It?

Isn't it odd how we as a society consider it wrong to make fun of someone with a physical disability, but ok to make fun of someone with a mental disability?

Don't misunderstand--I'm not suggesting we should make fun of either, but think about it:

Doesn't it seem people would make fun of people who may not be able to defend themselves or get away, rather than people who might be crazy and cut you? I know most people with mental illnesses aren't crazy, but I'm making a point of how dumb some people who are rude enough to ridicule disabled people are.

People will make fun of anyone who doesn't "fit into" their skewed idea of what and who people should be.

I find it mostly comes from them being grossly uneducated about differences and they themselves have huge self esteem issues. But you could never tell them that, they would deny it to their dying end.

It's completely ashame that we as a society are not accepting of all in our society. Since the beginning of time there have been these same issues. We can try to educate people, but only the ones who want to learn will take it in and see the light so to speak.

I actually feel sorry for folks who are like that as they are the ones who are missing out on knowing and having wonderful relationships with others who may be different but are still living, breathing, feeling human beings.

Hugssss
J

personal experience here.

i was home from NM, caring for my mom and my sister prowled through my things and found my Prozac.....the next time i was there, here is what she said to me...."i checked with my optometrist and he said Prozac is a horrible drug and for you to quit taking it right away"......i didn't know whether to laugh, cry or slap her.......
i explained the training that an optometrist has and left it at that.

years fast forward....we're talking and i say that i have a new med. she gets her "henny penny voice, the sky is falling" and says "yes, depression is a disease and best treated with good meds".....

meaning? her only daughter is on ADs. she didn't tell me, but i know that's it.

before she pooh-poohed every mention that "my" family made of mental illness and the problems of it......now the shoe is on the other foot. that was tacky, but i don't care. i'm crazy and i can say anything about her that i want.

especially here!!!

Actually, we were talking at work about how to improve morale and someone suggested we put a prozac salt lick at every entrance! Not a bad idea...

Okie

IMHO, when ppl make fun or nasty remarks I try to think it's cuz there afraid, sometimes it's pure ignorence, but most of the time there afraid they'll catch it from us

Pat, that amused me...she got the info on Prozac from her optometrist? LOL! I'm sorry her daughter is on ADs, but I'm glad she's a little more understanding.

I don't know if it's because people are afraid; I think most of the time it's because of ignorance. I was just making the point that, you'd think they'd know better than to make fun of someone with a mental problem, at least to their face. (Again, not suggesting anyone should become violent, but just saying that most people seem to believe that all mentally ill people are ready to "crack" at a moment's notice, so it doesn't seem wise to mess with crazy, LOL!)

well, i've had a good laugh today now!!!!! a prozac salt lick..........and you shouldn't mess with us nuts......it's like chocolates, crack us and you don't know what you'll get!!!!

It's true. I "joke" about mental illness but I generalize it. I just emailed my doctor about there being a full moon. Told him that "all the psych people go crazy. Or is it, all the crazy people go psych?" I think both, LOL. There's no such thing as a perfect person. We all have issues. For some, the issues last longer or they may manifest differently. In any case, I for one believe in the full moon effect--it's very true how strange things can get! I learned quickly when I worked at the hospital a long time ago.

What is unfortunate is that society is very ignorant. Empathy seems to be a long forgotten emotion in much of society. It is a shame that people are not educated in the area of mental illness/disabilities and it is a shame that people do not show respect in general. The real problem is that society as a whole is not addressing the issue of a lack of morals, standards, and values. If we can teach people the value of self-worth, decency, and acceptance, maybe this would become less of a problem.

Nice post mindseek. So many problems might go away or be less extreme under those circumstances.

prozac salt-lick - lol

You know the stigma isn't just in the general public. My T once mentioned to me that she hates it the way some Ts refer to their patients - using labels like they aren't people and sometimes rolling their eyes. Horrible isn't it.
(Aside: T picks up on it because she was in therapy for quite some years herself and I think was diagnosed as BPD because she's sensitive to that label. She's very cautious about using labels with me even when I want her to - for me I don't know what the stigmas are really - I there are very few that I have any feelings about at all - so it isn't anything more than information to help me figure out what is going on and how to cope.)