[Cyclops5]

This is regarding the way that some people we see handle the word (and reputation) of mental illness. Each and every time a bad thing occurs in the world the media will directly blame the tragedy on the mental illness. Even though this can sometimes be the case that they may actually suffer or have suffered from some kind of mental illness, the media does not take time to consider the population of people actually suffering from mental illness; that population who truly has an honest conscience about violence. Personally, this is one of the reasons that when bad things happen I do not feel sorry for either party in most cases. I believe the media is responsible for the way people act in this world. Us as sufferers of mental illness, should never have to feel condemned when problems arise. That is and always should be on the individual who committed the acts.

I am open to comments and thoughts about what you think when mental illness is used as the reason for tragedys.

[BrazenApogee]

I always feel an inner cringe, because the way they portray things seems to be "if you've had bad things done to you, then you are a bad person." I already feel like a bad person, adding to that hurts.

[Cyclops5]

Yes I just hope people understand the meaning behind my post. I don't want to come across as a bad guy because I don't feel a sense of grief at the loss of others when bad things happen. It just has become too much for me to handle anymore

I hope I can relate to some of you.....

[LaraR4444]

There's a theory going around that a lot of the mental illness talk after tragedies is just a way to justify current gun laws. That wouldn't surprise me at all. In that case, they'd be throwing people with mental illnesses under the bus to protect gun rights.

[Albatross2008]

I would posit that any time someone resorts to extreme behavior or acts of violence, that person is almost guaranteed to have some mental health issue going on. People in their right minds probably wouldn't do such a thing. BUT the problem becomes that now, this kind of behavior is what the public expects out of anybody with mental illness. "Oh, you have (insert diagnosis here)? Just like that guy in the news last month who.... (insert act of violence here.) I'd better stay away from you, because I might do something to set you off."

I also have problems with the notion that people with mental illness can't be held responsible for what they do. In my experience, no matter how (a relative, a friend, or a causal acquaintance) behaves, let them yell and scream and rage and curse and throw things all they want to. I am not supposed to be irritated or annoyed or hurt or angry in the slightest. If I do show that it bothers me, I get judged. "Shame on you. Can't you understand that he/she has a mental illness, and can't help it?" Where does it end?

[Neenagirl]

I posted this same type of thread just a couple of days ago. It is on the same page as your thread. There are more posts there, please look for it and see if any of those posts help you out.

[Astrada]

It's a complicated issue. People are afraid of what they don't understand. Only by continued education will the general public learn. I really think times are changing for the better on this issue. Slowly, but the world is getting there.

And I don't think we should blame the media for how people think. People need to think for themselves, and educate themselves, on mental health issues, and the law.

[All Is Revealed]

It's unfortunate how mental illness is portrayed in the media. Maybe that's the reason why I haven't watched the news in 17 years. The media is very subjective. Instead of focusing on facts, it focuses on opinions and uneducated answers.

After all the massacres we've had in the past few years, (I've heard from friends) that the media starts to say the killer was just jealous or very angry. Then the media twists the whole story as if the person did this as a result of being mentally ill. Sounds like a pile of lies.

When I hear of these massacres, I think ... well maybe this is a lesson to everyone that we should be nicer to one another. If not, mental illness will come back to haunt you ...