Here is the article I am basing this on: http://nyti.ms/1EdS1lI This article talks about a study in the UK by the British Psychological Society. The upshot of the article is that if you are viewing Psychosis and Schizophrenia as medical issues to be dealt with using medication, then you might be missing the bus. They view these problems as coping mechanisms which can be positive or negative. How can I relate to this? I had a mother with serious mental illness. I don't know for sure, but there is some idea that she was either Psychotically Depressed or Schizophrenic. Or both. I love what I'm hearing. Drugs are not a panacea. A diagnosis is simply another way to make a mentally ill person 'the other'. And here is the other idea I relate to: They say that voices or paranoia might simply be a reaction to deprivation or abuse. I don't know as much about my Mom's history as I would like. But early in my blog, I talked about what I do know. She was a foster child from the age of 3 years old till adulthood. Prior to that she lived with a mentally ill mom and a violent brother. How much trauma is involved in that? Besides which, I knew her foster family. My foster Grandma was not the most loving and accepting person. And most of that family rejected my Mom during the time that I knew them. Living with that alone could be seen as traumatic. I think there was much more to that situation than I knew. And my Mom's reaction when I asked about it convinced me that there was something 'there'. Even as a child.
So, what about this idea that these are coping mechanisms? And sometimes they are even positive for the person living with mental illness? I don't have a problem with that thought. IF, and this is a big if, the person is able to cope and live normally using other tools. What bothers me about 'mental illness' is the fact that it so often makes life unstable and dangerous for those living with the illness. I love that there are a variety of tools out there that may improve life. And I think they should be developed and used. Medicine doesn't do it all. Not for everybody. I support using what works. I've heard many people talk about the value of talk therapy. I've also heard about the use of supplements and vitamins. And I've heard people who benefit from yoga and other meditative tools. Do what works. Do what improves your life.
I know that my little walks in the Tennessee sunshine are a tool. I call it my mental health time because I find it positive. It has nothing to do with medicine. It has everything to do with the fact that I can meditate during that time. I am able to use it to reframe problematic situations in my life. I use it to love Judy. And I am able to nurture myself into more positive thinking. It truly is awesome! For me, medication is helpful. It really does pull me out when I'm not able to pull myself out otherwise. I don't feel bad about that because "Big Pharma" is benefitting. Right now...it helps. I use it because I believe it works. I think this is an awesome article. It makes some important points. And I wish we had been able to use what it offers to help improve Maxine's life. She was truly worth it. How about you?
Thank you +Gabriel Stoltz for introducing me to this article.
So, what about this idea that these are coping mechanisms? And sometimes they are even positive for the person living with mental illness? I don't have a problem with that thought. IF, and this is a big if, the person is able to cope and live normally using other tools. What bothers me about 'mental illness' is the fact that it so often makes life unstable and dangerous for those living with the illness. I love that there are a variety of tools out there that may improve life. And I think they should be developed and used. Medicine doesn't do it all. Not for everybody. I support using what works. I've heard many people talk about the value of talk therapy. I've also heard about the use of supplements and vitamins. And I've heard people who benefit from yoga and other meditative tools. Do what works. Do what improves your life.
I know that my little walks in the Tennessee sunshine are a tool. I call it my mental health time because I find it positive. It has nothing to do with medicine. It has everything to do with the fact that I can meditate during that time. I am able to use it to reframe problematic situations in my life. I use it to love Judy. And I am able to nurture myself into more positive thinking. It truly is awesome! For me, medication is helpful. It really does pull me out when I'm not able to pull myself out otherwise. I don't feel bad about that because "Big Pharma" is benefitting. Right now...it helps. I use it because I believe it works. I think this is an awesome article. It makes some important points. And I wish we had been able to use what it offers to help improve Maxine's life. She was truly worth it. How about you?
Thank you +Gabriel Stoltz for introducing me to this article.
No comments:
Post a Comment