Mental Illness and Stigmas...a Visit to the PT

Monday I took my 14 year old daughter to Physical Therapy. The therapist next to us brought up a "crazy" patient of hers who she said heard a voice telling him he needed to come to see her. Supposedly he was their to meet someone. She went on to poke fun of the ideas he was sharing about his healing abilities and all she could see and say was that he was "nuts and crazy." It seemed to me her patient was having a psychotic episode, something I'm all too familiar with. I mentioned this to her and said it wasn't something he had chosen. This young girl didn't get it and kept making fun. It made me wonder how far I was willing to out myself. After I couldn't refrain from responding, I told her she was pushing some of my buttons and ought to change the subject. It was a real disappointment to see someone in the healing field have such a negative perspective of someone who was clearly having difficulties. I keep thinking we're making progress, but then think back to my first episode 5 1/2 years ago, and how everyone but my a select few turned their back on me. Honestly, the only person who stood by me day in and day out has been my husband. How unfortunate for all of us that support can be so limited. That's why it's important to turn to each other. 


Your Friend,


Risa Nicholas, MC

Isolation

It's hard to explain how your life changes once you've had a Manic or Depressive episode ending in hospitalization and psych medication. Most people lose whatever support they have. Some are fortunate to have people who will stand by them, in spite of the challenges this presents. The tendency for those living with this disorder is to isolate due to trust and abandonment issues. It's critical to push past that and find a community, whether it's yours or it revolves around a hobby. It's so important to get out and overcome your fear of people and them finding out what you live with day in and day out. Make it a little step, but a step none the less. It can make all the difference knowing you're not alone.