| Mental Illness, How to Cope | | | | yourself from unsettling situations. |
| If you broke an arm and wore a cast, people would | | | | Without exception, I mentally prepare myself for |
| sympathize with you and sign your cast; all would be | | | | going outside. I make sure I have eaten and will not |
| fine. If you cut yourself you would have a bandage | | | | have low blood sugar. I make myself aware of the |
| and the same principles would apply. | | | | dangers there are for me, and avoid them as much |
| If you have a broken mind you can expect to be a | | | | as possible. In this way I function so well no one |
| pariah, avoided and treated differently from other | | | | realizes it is a struggle. But if I want to be part of the |
| people who are supposedly "normal". Normalcy being | | | | world, I must work on myself. |
| gauged by a great many people, and maybe not | | | | If you do not use safeguards, you may find yourself |
| totally accurately. | | | | treated like an unruly child, or a less than desirable |
| After ten years of disabling domestic abuse, a | | | | citizen. I am totally adamant about the rights of the |
| session of homelessness and a few other things, I | | | | mentally ill, disenfranchised and disabled. It has |
| 'lost' my mind. It was a long search to find it again. . . | | | | appalled me to find out how "normal" people can |
| and the struggle to keep it goes on daily. | | | | treat those with problems. |
| If you are a 'functioning' mentally ill person you have | | | | It is important to mainstream people whenever |
| a responsibility to see to your wellness. You have a | | | | possible, as psychiatric hospitals have become rare |
| right to do what it takes to keep yourself able to | | | | and the treatment of ill people is often hit and miss. |
| participate in the outside world. You also have the | | | | If you take medication - TAKE IT! Your responsibility |
| right to be understood and treated with compassion | | | | is to help yourself be as independent as possible. Not |
| and respect. | | | | taking medication can make the world a miserable |
| This morning I had to fire my housekeeper, caregiver. | | | | place for those who need it to function. My heart |
| It has been bumpy, but it finally came to a situation | | | | goes out to the many people I see on the street |
| where I had to make a decision. She had brought me | | | | who are not able to care for themselves. The world |
| a fluffy, cuddly teddy bear from the dollar store. | | | | is not accepting of us "crazies". |
| Now, at one time deep in my illness, after my | | | | If you know someone who is mentally ill, be |
| daughter took my grandchild from me, I wandered | | | | compassionate and kind, but don't treat them as if |
| around holding a baby doll. | | | | they were "different". . . give them a chance to act |
| Now I am to a point where I know that was sick. I | | | | as normally as possible. Try to be accepting of the |
| also know that to have such things around is | | | | things they need to do to stay okay. There is no |
| dangerous for me. I tried to explain, but she raised a | | | | cast, no bandage, but we still have the right to be |
| fuss, crying and playing the martyr - should I have | | | | viable human beings. |
| not told her? I think I was within my rights, and a | | | | Some of the greatest artists and writers were |
| compassionate person would accept the situation. | | | | "mentally ill". It may translate as being a different |
| Then I could not eat the unwanted breakfast she | | | | way of thinking. Mental ills are real and chemical and |
| fixed for me and things went to pieces. | | | | cannot be wished away. If you feel you need help, |
| In order to be functioning and stable, I must order | | | | go to any doctor and ask for their recommendations. |
| my life and see to my own wellness. To be in the | | | | I can still write and do the things I used to do. Mental |
| company of someone who is having their own | | | | illness has not affected my brain, my desire to |
| problems is a bad choice. If you have family or a | | | | succeed, nor my awareness. Love the mentally ill, |
| spouse, SO, or friend you live with, you must protect | | | | they need it most of all. |