Posted by Chris O on April 11, 2013, at 4:56:42
In reply to cancer versus mentasl problems, posted by poser938 on April 9, 2013, at 14:12:06
Poser:
You don't sound rude at all to me, in fact, I share your sentiments much of the time. I was just commenting to someone that it's a demerit that I can describe my condition so well and that I look "normal" (even though I have an almost completely incapacitating anxiety disorder). Yes, in our still basically Calvinist-oriented mythology, it is all will, will, will, all the time. The only "excuse" for "rest" is having a physically debilitating sports injury or one of the popularly recognized terminal diseases. And even with those, if you're not really, really, really bad off, it's another demerit if you're not back up on your feet quite quickly. It's work, work, work, and don't complain, and "mental illness?" What's that? Just another excuse for "lazy" people to go on the dole. Oh, yes! Yes! Because living on the indignity of disability or unemployment or one of the other tepid "entitlements" we have in this country is so easy, such as pleasure. Those people who say you need to "try harder," let me tell you something from my own experience: I'm 45 and I've been "trying harder" all my life to beat this horrifying anxiety. You know what's happened? Nothing. Ironically, it's like "trying harder" to beat cancer. How rude of them to say that to you. (But I completely understand, too, because I get it from my wife, who doesn't completely get how messed up I am much of the time.) And let me tell you something else: You are not weak. You are brave. Braver on your pinky fingernail than any of these unempathic people who told you to "try harder." I know that is probably little comfort, as your brain (at least my brain behaves this way) does not allow those types of message to sink in. But it's true. Anyway, hope you find the magic bullet for your brain. I'm still looking for mine.
Chris
poster:Chris O
thread:1041967
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20130408/msgs/1042029.html