Why Is It Harder To Accept A Mental Health Issue Than A Physical One?

[Kinkstaah]

You see though Mr Artz, that's the thing about depression.

If you've been through it before, you know the answer is to look at it logically, deconstruct the problem, attack it bit by bit with logical actions and change and you will notice/see results.

Like any problem. From cars, to doing chores around the house, to anything. Literally any task.

But the kicker is, if you're depressed, you can't see that this is the problem. Or can't see that there's even a problem at all.

What is obvious and simple on the outside, is invisible and unknowable for someone who is depressed and has not previously gotten through it, or gotten help for it.

Without perspective, these problems may literally be the worst thing this person has literally ever experienced.

With perspective, people can say, "actually mate that's not so bad" but a person cannot just apply their perspective to other people.

It's kind of why there's a shift to referring to it as a disease now.

Because depression can be a chemical imbalance in the brain

Depression can be the inability to self-diagnose a problem and how to resolve it

I guess its easier to look at depression being the symptom of something, and the 'something' being the problem which is a legitimate issue.

The thing is, unless you're prepared to look at depression in this light, which not everyone does, people being 'depressed' and mopey all the time can be frustrating as f*ck to those who aren't.

Which sadly, perpetuates the cycle of people not talking about their problems or seeking help.

If you feel something MIGHT be wrong, or MIGHT not be the 'same as everyone else' - Find out. See a doctor, whether you feel a little too sick, or something hurts, or you can't get your mind around certain inexorable problems.

The "worst" case scenario is you find out you're actually entirely healthy

And if you find out you do have a problem, well you're on your way to getting it fixed and being a healthier person as a result

[ARTZ]

Yeah, I do agree with you Greg..Sorry I am bit of a hard bastard.

[bozodos]

the reason a lot of mental illness isn't taken seriously these days, is because of self diagnosing attention seekers (which in itself may be BPD but not actually just attention seeking since it's one of the main symptoms)...

It's like parents who try to diagnose their kids as Aspergers (high functioning ASD according to DSM-V) because they are anti social shitheads.

On the other hand, I have people try and tell me that anti depressants are a load of shit, muh big pharma etc, which is absolute crap, given how many people that I've seen go on Diazepam and how it improves their personality and quality of life etc.

[Kenna802]

The only unfortunate side of diazepam is that people can abuse it very easily and if you want to actually work with it your employment options are very limited. Anywhere that has drug testing is a no go. This mongrel drug has a half life of up to 48 hours after that you only half in your system. Than it takes that time again to have half of that half. This goes on for a fair while until finally it's out of your system. I failed a medical due to having one a week and a half before it. As for anti depressants some are good some are not so good. Everyone is different otherwise one drug would work for everyone. I am of the belief that some people cannot " harden up" no matter what they do due to having a chemical imbalance in there brain that will never allow it to function properly. I understand that some people may get down and depressed over a divorce or a death in the family but I feel these people are still not as bad as the ones that have nothing bad happen yet need to be on meds ( it's a different type of depression ). Imagine having a good day and next minute your arm goes numb and so does your face so much that you start slurring. Add the sensation of your heart jumping out your chest and chest pains and life really ain't rosy. What's worse is that just happens anytime and anywhere. While it is never perfect but knowing taking one pill can stop those feelings is a big help.

[JAS-25T]

A trouble told is a trouble halved. Tell it enough time's and it's close enough to zero.

[Melly]

The worst that could happen is you come across as someone that cares.

I was scared shitless when I came across someone that cared, I think he was also to be honest.

* Personal Trainer - I'm not sure of what qualifications they have (so this line may be edited with your assistance) > Activity and Exercise based regimes to temporarily lift brain neurotransmitters or endorphins

selected Health Funds

Certificate III and IV in Fitness are the qualifications required to become a personal trainer, then some specialise in different areas (strength and conditioning etc.)

I think it's so hard to accept because people don't understand it, sufferers are often embarrassed about it and generally it's been seen as pretty taboo topic to talk about. Nobody want's to be the "downer" so they bottle it up and try to pretend everything is OK or that they are dealing with it until it gets too much.

[GTR-N1]

Thanks for updating qualifications.

Men are different than women.

I even had a patient this afternoon who's husband got jealous because his wife is coming along for consultations. She's in the health industry herself.

Why am I not surprised about a man, a husband feeling this way (rather than a wife)?

It's because he has issues (even though I've never seen him), whilst he's put $20-30K down poker machines (probably truthful heresay) and believes like a lot of men that he should have the answers to the family's problems.

It's as if that's his role and should be good at it.

Common stereotype & false stereotype at that.

[Birds]

Well Terry, no need for a scientific explanation there...

Some people are just assholes

[PranK]

the reason a lot of mental illness isn't taken seriously these days, is because of self diagnosing attention seekers (which in itself may be BPD but not actually just attention seeking since it's one of the main symptoms)...

It's like parents who try to diagnose their kids as Aspergers (high functioning ASD according to DSM-V) because they are anti social shitheads.

On the other hand, I have people try and tell me that anti depressants are a load of shit, muh big pharma etc, which is absolute crap, given how many people that I've seen go on Diazepam and how it improves their personality and quality of life etc.

Thats my personal issue. I'm super hard on myself, so you can imagine what I'm like with people who claim to have a mental illness. Whether it is true or not I start picking at their story. It's not something that I'm proud of, but I do compare myself and my story with people and I have a super hard time having empathy for them or sympathising.

I was also "diagnosed" with ADD when I was younger, probably because it was the in thing to do. I'm not saying ADD doesn't exist, but I kinda wished my parents had looked more holistically at me and my life and noticed that maybe there was something actually troubling me rather than just "hyperactivity." I have very strong feelings about needing to diagnose things (ADD, Depression, Bi-Polar) and just working with whatever the symptoms are. Kid is playing up? Lets not drug him, lets see why he's playing up.

Loving this thread guys. Thanks.

[Birds]

Is that why you can't keep the forum unchanged for more than 30 seconds

Sorry, poor timing but the comedian in me cannot resist...

[PranK]

Is that why you can't keep the forum unchanged for more than 30 seconds

Sorry, poor timing but the comedian in me cannot resist...

Making up for lost time.

[GTR-N1]

* Report this morning revealed that there's one completed suicide globally every 40 sec.

* It also appeared to me that the highest ranking areas or countries are those with high illicit drug usage.

* Of course genetics will always play a part to springboard an individual towards suicidal ideation.

* However, we have now reached an era where chromosomal dysfunction can also be as a consequence of the parents having used drugs too. This would not have been the case when I was in my 40s say.

[GTR-N1]

K-I-S-S

Clinical Depression aka Endogenous Depression can be split into two major groupings (ignoring minor ones for the sake of a public forum).

* Assume that there's an introverted type classified in DSM V as "Major Depression". Don't worry about the title - since it's only just that - a title.

* Assume that there's an extroverted type classified in DSM V as "Bipolar Depression" Type such and such... Again, it's just a title.

Titles to me mean fark all, unless you can get to the bottom of what is causing it.

The type rather than title will assist in what you do next.

So if this test below means anything to you, feel free to speak up!

Answer the following Qs with any of four responses ie Rare or Average or Common or Frequent

YOU...

1) Find many things funny or humorous

2) Feel connected with the universe

3) Don't feel tired or require much sleep

4) Shoot with your mouth before your head gets into gear

5) Have lots of ideas and plans

6) Get irritated easily

7) Get loose motions with certain foods

8) Hum, whistle or sing whether there's music on or not

9) Feel quite confident and capable or quite the opposite

10) Become too immersed in new plans and projects, but not obsessively so

11) See many coincidences in your life

12) Tend to take over conversations

13) Notice your mind scatters into different directions at once

14) Feel quite elated over small things

15) Are quite carefree and breezy

16) Start jobs with strong motivation even though many don't finish

17) Are confident that you'll succeed and get on a roll

18 Love to go shopping and spend freely

19) Get anger outbursts easily

20) See experiences as new and exciting

21) Know your sexual arousal is quite strong

22) Have come across certain foods that make you 'hyper'

23) Have emotions that are quite intense

24) Get impatient easily

25) Feel that when things happen, it's a sign

26) Are inclined to try some wild experiences

27) Can keep on at a thing for hours and hours

28) Your complaints can be most expressive

29) See things clearly and vividly

30) Wish you weren't so blunt

Scoring:-

* Give yourself 2 points for every Q answered by Frequent

* Give yourself 1 point for every Q answered by Common

* Give yourself 0 point for every Q answered by Average

* Take off 1/3 a point for every Q answered by Rare

Interpretation:-

* A score of 25 or more is indicative of a Bipolar Condition

* If it does arise that you have an elevated score, please don't just sit on this > seek assistance!

Further Diagnosis:-

* Depends on if you have loose motions/stools

* Depends on if you also have a predisposition to suspicion, aggression, vindictiveness or violence

Treatment Initially Via Natural Approaches:-

* May be deficient in Vit B12

* May be deficient in Folic Acid

* May be sensitive to Gluten

* May require Taurine and Glutamine to support Gamma Amino Butyric Acid - a brain neurotransmitter

* May require S-Adenosyl-Methionine - an amino acid which helps certain brain neurotransitters to function better

Treatment Via The Drug Medicine Approach:-

[GTR-N1]

Coming up soon will be a Test for Introverted Clinical Depression aka Major Depression + Clinical Anxiety

[PranK]

Thanks Terry, I *hate* labels/groups/titles etc ... You either have symptoms or you dont. I understand the need to use them but I hate giving anything I'm struggling with some kind of label. That goes for physical ailments as well as mental / emotional.

[Birds]

In modern psychology there is a growing consensus towards spectrums rather than labels; it's more a matter of where you sit rather than a threshold and the dichotomous "you have it" or "you don't have it"

[L33SH]

Every human comes in somewhere on the autism spectrum scale.

[MrStabby]

Here to strongly recommend "The Mental Illness Happy Hour" podcast - subscribe in iTunes or go to the website http://mentalpod.com/. Each episode is an interview by the host Paul Gilmartin (a comedian and depression sufferer) and a guest. I imagine the people posting in this thread will find a lot to relate to in the interviews. Check it out.

[t5iv]

Interesting to seeing everyone's perspectives on this. As someone walking a very dark path now, other viewpoints and experiences are helpful.