There may be, but that's not the same as generating discussion in the present, and shifting the atmosphere here to coping in daily life more than emphasising hospitalisation.
Uh, I probably messed up saying that.
I can see a lot of talk about sections and forced treatment. I feel sometimes people think it means more in terms of severity if they let things get that bad. I also feel that this notion needs to be turned on its head and an attitude of personal responsibility should be praised.
Sure some people need to be sectioned, and sometimes there is little that person could have done to prevent their situation deteriorating to such a point. However although I cannot say this with any real certainty; I believe plenty of people here CAN do something to change their destination.
It also seems to me that a proportion of members revel in illness and want the drama it brings, sometimes it is the responsibility of other members to tell it straight and not pussyfoot in this situation, in an attempt to prevent the attitude escalating, because it doesnt help the individual, nor the community (hense this thread?).
I'll tell you what you can do Tiff!
*cuddles lots*
:D No need to apologise xxx
Quote:
Originally Posted by MissAnonymous
I also feel that this notion needs to be turned on its head and an attitude of personal responsibility should be praised.
I see this a fair bit actually (which is great) where people are praised for being honest, getting support, and doing the right thing. It's very encouraging!
I see so much support given and ignored and it really came clear to me yesterday when I came across this quote:
“If you throw someone a life preserver, and they turn around and swim away from it; what can you do but let them drown themselves.”
But yes. There is a competitive swing to this site. To all sites that deal with mental health. It's the nature of the beast really. You want to validate your pain, and in a screwed up way you think that for it to be valid means you need a diagnosis or hospitalised or stitches... all of which I would gladly hand back if i could. I hate it when people are proud they've been diagnosed/hospitalised/stitched. It's not something to be proud of. Unless you're being proud you asked for help. Mental illness is a tricky thing. And when I see people feeling bad becasue they don't have any of the above... it makes me angry and sad. Because you shouldn't need vaildation of your pain. You should be able to get support without any of that.
Blha blah blah... sorry
"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."
I also think that people and what they have been diagnosed with is an issue as well..... People seem to list what they have, and I find that very competitive.... I have x,y and z, and possible a, b and c..... I just find it competitive......
-“And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom.” Anais Nin-
Allie, Mutt, Great Grandma, Hope and Humbug. I love you and miss you all. xx
Agreed.
And as someone whose treatment team aren't 'into' diagnostic labels, it can make it difficult.
Just because someone doesn't have a lot of diagnoses, doesn't mean that there's nothing 'wrong'. Rather that I'm a person, with a past and a present, not a set of diagnoses. But it can make it very hard, especially when you've a deep rooted insecure identity, to find what feels a rightful place in such an online culture where diagnoses seem to be the password, as it were.
I also think that people and what they have been diagnosed with is an issue as well..... People seem to list what they have, and I find that very competitive.... I have x,y and z, and possible a, b and c..... I just find it competitive......
Yes I agree with this. I have seen a couple of examples recently on the site where a member has listed all their diagnoses in their signature of which there have been many. I'm not trying to get at them but would prefer if they felt able to be them and not be judged/measured by their numerous diagnostic labels.
"Everything is possible through Christ, who gives me strength". Phillipians 4:13
It's just that listing every single diagnosis you have ever had in your life, and every single possible diagnosis that may fit you - just isn't helpful in my opinion!! Just because someone has 20 possible diagnosis's doesn't mean that the other person with 1 diagnosis is any less deserving of help - and it worries me that people will think that. Lets face it, people do feel that way - and I find that very sad.
It also irritates me a little, I don't know whether that's just me being really awful - but sometimes there isn't really any need for a list.... It seems to say 'Hey, look at all my official diagnosis'es and hey, I might also qualify for these other ones too!! Aren't I special!!' And I just think that's a really unhealthy attitude to have.
I'm rambling..... Sorry!!
-“And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom.” Anais Nin-
Allie, Mutt, Great Grandma, Hope and Humbug. I love you and miss you all. xx
Oh, and also comparisons between different things is totally uncool.
People will compare different types of situations, 'This is worse than that', or 'That is worth than this'.... And sometimes some situations, on face value, are a lot worse than others - and I'm sure others would agree, but don't go comparing and saying 'x' is better than 'y' when there are others who have been through hell and back in situation 'y'? You know? Also, when someone hasn't been in a situation themselves, and then they say their situation is worse..... Really irritates me. Everyone reacts differently, and there isn't one situation that is worse than the other, so to speak, but sometimes..... There are. I mean, jamming your finger in a door and breaking your leg, for example - Most would rather have a sore finger. That's a very basic example but I'm hoping someone will have a clue about what I'm running on about. My brain won't focus at all tonight.
-“And the day came when the risk it took to remain tight inside the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom.” Anais Nin-
Allie, Mutt, Great Grandma, Hope and Humbug. I love you and miss you all. xx
Hmm, I think having an 'official' diagnosis can certainly help. I feel that it is worse and very dangerous for a person to think they are suffering from something when they are not, and not get any help or professional support. It's like they can carry on pretending, for whatever reason, that they want a specific condition. That's not healthy.
People aren't saying there's anything wrong with having official diagnoses, they're just saying that it can be seen as being competitive or even as if it's a great thing to have if they are in a list. Or if people think they are entitled to more help because they have x, y and z that someone else who may just have x. However, this isn't true, everyone needs help and some people yet to be diagnosed are in a worst state than others and for each condition there are ranges of severity. As well as people's emotions changing on a day to day basis.
I find the whole lists of drugs people are/ have taken quite bad as well because then that can get quite competitive as well as people giving others the idea of what they should be having when really that may be the totally wrong drugs or people may say to somone on one med who's just started on it "that one's rubbish" based on their own experience. Yes, it may not work for them but it could work amazingly on someone else as everyone's bodies are different.
Would you go onto a generic forum say for people of your age group/ in your career and then put up a list of your diagnoses? What would you think if someone here were to put up a list of their physical diagnoses, as they're only the same!
Diagnoses, though often help, are some things that a lot of people find hard to deal with and the label for some can have huge consequences so I don't think it's fair for people to put in the minds of others that diagnoses are amazing and you have to have as many as possible to get help.
A wide range of biological, psychological and social factors, which are not captured well by current diagnostic systems, have a significant impact on the course of depression and the response to treatment. Therefore it is also important to consider both personal past history and family history of depression when undertaking a diagnostic assessment
Yes, I agree that lists and stuff aren't really helpful, and being labeled isn't very nice. I also know that the current diagnostic system isn't great. I'm just saying that there is a difference (physically, mentally, and in terms of support) between someone who officially has an illness and one who thinks they do.
I believe a site like RYL should be used in conjunction to other support networks, not in replacement of.
