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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Katt on April 29, 2002, at 14:07:34
I realized that I had no problems. Seeing what the Palestinians are going through makes me realize I am being silly, not mentally ill! I have food, water, and shelter that I know won't be taken down by American tanks. I am also not mourning the murders of several family members, I am not homeless, and I have a place I can call my own. I can go to school if I want, get a job someday, even cross the street without getting shot at or run over by a tank. Maybe it's time I get off the meds...how silly of me.
Posted by IsoM on April 29, 2002, at 14:22:22
In reply to After this past weekend...., posted by Katt on April 29, 2002, at 14:07:34
Katt, that's a very balanced view. I, too, remind myself regularly that I'm not suffering when I look around this world. But do realise that how we feel happens in our minds despite what the external conditions are like. Unbelievably, there's still many happy people that live in horrific conditions & many unhappy people living in good conditions.
Try telling someone who's lost a limb years ago that the excruiating pain or itch they feel in a phantom limb isn't real. The limb isn't there but the itch or pain is just as real, & that's exactly where it seems to be - in a limb no longer there.
I think it's very important to try the best we can to keep a balanced view on all matters. Easier said than done, but we shouldn't give up trying.
But we do need to pull back sometimes (with help if we can't do it on our own) & look at ourselves in view of others & their situations. Once of the best therapies for our ills is to help others with theirs.
Posted by Katt on April 29, 2002, at 14:56:40
In reply to Re: After this past weekend.... » Katt, posted by IsoM on April 29, 2002, at 14:22:22
I guess I've just realized that I have been acting like a pathetic baby when those individuals have become the victims of crimes and trauma that most of us would never comprehend. It's just time for me to stop being so psych-needy. I just wish I could help them.
Posted by Shar on April 29, 2002, at 23:06:15
In reply to Re: After this past weekend....IsoM, posted by Katt on April 29, 2002, at 14:56:40
Your post made me wonder if how you feel is something like survivor's guilt. When people survive an event that has hurt others, they can tend to minimize their own legitimate pain because others are suffering "so much more."
I am just wondering. I have felt similarly before, and with instant media we can be immediately aware of tragic occurrences all over the world within just moments of their happening. We can see the aftermath of all sorts of tragedies--natural disasters, war, local shootings...
I agree it can be a good idea to do reality checks. I also know it is very important to include your own pain in the equation, whether physical or spiritual or mental. I hope you will give yourself due consideration.
Shar
Posted by Manda on April 30, 2002, at 21:22:53
In reply to After this past weekend...., posted by Katt on April 29, 2002, at 14:07:34
Although I agree completely that many other people in the world have much harder lives (external lives, maybe, is what I'm trying to say?), I also think that we have to be careful to not go too far and trivialize our own problems. It helps me a lot to get some perspective by considering how many things I have that I take for granted. However, if I dwell on how lucky I am and start to think that my suffering has no validity, it makes me more depressed. I have come to see that happiness does not come with circumstances. If that were true, then I would be one of the happiest people alive b/c I appear to have everything going for me. I'm 21, in college, have a great GPA, good friends, ok family, completely in love with my boyfriend (who is completely supportive of me), etc. Yet I'm almost always depressed and suicidal on an all-too-frequent basis. So, what's the deal? Why am I so down if my circumstances are so good? Well, I don't think I really have a complete answer to that question- it's got to be partly due to the chemicals in my brain, that's for sure. :) Anyway, I know I'm rambling, but your post really hit home. I was so very, very close to killing myself on Friday (the closest I've ever been- partly b/c I was completely out of touch with reality), and on Saturday night, a friend of mine (who knew the whole situation) made some comments that I think were meant to help, but ended up just sounding like he thought I was a spoiled, whiney brat who didn't have a clue and needed to get off of her a** and do something for herself. (Ok, wow. That was the biggest run-on sentence EVER. :) ) So... my point, I guess, is that we need some balance, and, especially when we are very vulnerable, we need to cut ourselves some slack. Mental illness is an illness, first and foremost. We can't just "snap out of it," "get some persective," or "stop taking things for granted." It doesn't work that way.
> I realized that I had no problems. Seeing what the Palestinians are going through makes me realize I am being silly, not mentally ill! I have food, water, and shelter that I know won't be taken down by American tanks. I am also not mourning the murders of several family members, I am not homeless, and I have a place I can call my own. I can go to school if I want, get a job someday, even cross the street without getting shot at or run over by a tank. Maybe it's time I get off the meds...how silly of me.
This is the end of the thread.
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