I’m finding my relationships are much deeper and intimate with people who either have mental illness or are aware that it is ok to talk about what happens in the mind.
Most of them have just had bouts of depression. The people on here are the only people with sz I talk to.
Everyone has mental struggles, but it is more socially acceptable to hide them and not talk about them. We’re supposed to be perfect I guess, or strive to carry ourselves that way.
Conversation can open the door for really feeling connected to people. Especially when it’s regarding the treachery of the mind.
I think I’ve decided to key an eye for people who are willing to make that sort of connection.
It’s pretty sad people shrug off and hide their mental troubles when you can make so much progress in overcoming them if you just open up. I think that’s the one advantage that most mentally ill people have over the others in the long run. They are forced into a position where the best thing to do is open up, get help, get grounded, find out what’s normal.
I’m just saying I think it’s pretty cool. The conversations I’ve had in the lasts year have been far better than any I’ve had in the past.
Looking forward to experiencing the fellowship that takes place on this site.
Good luck to all of you, if you ever need an open ear, shoot me a pm. I’ve got tons of time to kill.
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Very much true for serious relationships I’ve had with the opposite sex who were patients also. The main problem though is when things get serious emotional baggage can get thrown around in many forms. Most of it irrational. So they can be just as toxic as close.
I am very careful who I talk to about my illness. I want to live as normal a life as possible and don’t trust people when it comes to acceptance of my sza right now. I have worked in the health/vocational field and know that mental health disabilities tend to be treated different then physical disabilities. I also see how poorly the public views people with sz. It is my hope that I don’t have to begin telling my family until I can stand on my own feet. I think making it public now would only create a barrier for my future. I have found supportive mental health professionals to work with and they help me through the toughest parts of my illness.
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Well I don’t really talk about the labels. I just treat it like some ■■■■ I’m going through. I do bitch about my symptoms when I get the chance, but really there is still a lot of overlap in my experience. The general themes of these conversations typically are about how to find happiness for oneself, that progress can be made in becoming a more solid person and that everyone has their quirks, some people just have the benefit of ignoring them.
Occasionally someone will hear my story and sympathize with me. I come to the boards for empathy, because it’s only you guys who know in part what I’ve been through. You all know what it’s like to hear voices, and some of you have experienced this false telepathy ■■■■.
While I do feel it’s important to be able to mask my illness and operate like it’s not there, it is the world I live in and it always preoccupies my mind, if it weren’t for being able to talk about it is be totally lost.
There is a lot about it I don’t talk about, to preserve myself in the eyes of others, I keep the worst of it to myself.
My real point was on a personal level, I tend to appreciate the conversations I’ve had since becoming mentally ill more so than I did before. This is because I like feeling known and accepted and connected and because I feel like there is great progress to be made. Discussion often encourages positivity at least when regarding the people I talk to.
If your not in a position to discuss what you’ve been through, or perhaps you prefer it that way, I hope you can still find happiness.
There are a boatload of coping strategies out there. I’m just saying this works for me and helps me out a lot.
Good luck people. Peace be with you. Keep it real.
@BryanAshley I am glad you find peace in talking to others. I hope you continue to do so. Maybe I will feel comfortable with talking to more people about my sza experiences one day too. Lots of hugs!!!
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