Mental illness- NAMI spinoff

Touche! My NAMI walk thread got moved to charity board

But in the spirit of stigma busting...Do you know someone with mental illness?

For me:

An uncle with Bipolar disorder and history of suicidal behavior.

Several friends and immediate family members with anxiety disorders


All of whom lead normal functional lives and you would "never know" the battles they go through.

1 in 5 have mental illness. So tell me who you know....

Re: Mental illness- NAMI spinoff

A friend who is bipolar. She's had some terrible struggles but she has been stable for a very long time. I understand the need to educate people about it, but I don't discuss her illness with other people very much. I feel that it has to be her choice who to tell about it and she has to know that she can talk to me in confidence. She does take opportunities to educate other people about her illness, and I am very proud of her.

I've also represented people who were severely mentally ill. I do sometimes mention to them that I have this friend who is bipolar, but doing so well, and I tell them some reasons why I think she has been able to remain stable.

Re: Mental illness- NAMI spinoff

yes many...myself included, I have panic attacks....so anxiety disorder which appears to run in my family although not treated by too many , where it should be.

I have friends as well who suffer...

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I have a friend who is bipolar & know several people who suffer from major anxiety.

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Yes I know several people

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I Have a friend with OCD, and i used to have bad anxiety.

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If anxiety disorder is included then count me in...

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A great Uncle who I never met lived most of his life in the KP Psychiatric Center. I *think* he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

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my dad

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I've suffered from Anxiety and Depression pretty seriously.

I definitely know some people who I believe should be treated for mental illness, but aren't.

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i know many close friends who take medication for anxiety/depression

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My husband as well as most of his family suffers from OCD

My best friend is paranoid schitzophrenic as well as bi-polar.

I also know of a few whose characteristics match some sort of mental illness, but I don't know if they've been diagnosed or not.

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DH suffered from depression in his 20's. I've asked him about it, but he doesn't like to talk about it.

When he first got sick 2 years ago and was on all kinds of meds and seening lots of doctors, he said he felt like he was slipping back into it again. His dr. gave him zoloft.

....

Message edited 3/7/2013 2:54:26 PM.

Re: Mental illness- NAMI spinoff

One of my best friends has bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia... I have known her for 10 years, and when her meds are working for her, she is the most level headed and together person I know - she was one of my bridesmaids for my wedding and she was my rock thru all of my issues with family... A few years prior she had a bad spell where she wound up in in institution - it was the 1st time since college...

then recently, she is doing badly again - all thru my pregnancy and birth of my child, she has been doing very badly. I went with her to the hospital when I was 9 mts pregnant because she refused to go with her parents unless I came...

I feel I don't have her in my life right now because of her illness - she missed my baby shower - its like cancer - it comes back when things are going well... it is so sad and I miss her so much. I see her trying so hard to be the friend she always has been, but its like she can't connect.

ETA: My mom also has mental illness. I haven't spoken to her in 3 years. I send her letters giving her updates in my life. She never tries to contact me back.

Message edited 5/11/2007 7:06:09 PM.

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I continue to lose another piece of my mom due to mental illness everyday

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Posted by Princessmaris

I continue to lose another piece of my mom due to mental illness everyday

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My cousin was diagnosed with bi-polar in his 20s. He seems to be holding it together but we don't see him much.

Other than that, I can't think of anyone else I know - at least an actual diagnosis.

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Posted by rose825

Posted by Princessmaris

I continue to lose another piece of my mom due to mental illness everyday

I know I have said this before, but I think you would really find a NAMI meeting helpful

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yes my brother has suffered with severe depression since he was young and also has a rage disorder

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Posted by Eva Luna

Posted by leighla

I definitely know some people who I believe should be treated for mental illness, but aren't.

DITTO!!

It's a HUGE stigma in our community (Latin/Spanish).

Re: Mental illness- NAMI spinoff

Posted by rose825


When I see patients of these ethnicities I always realize just HOW BAD it must be to get to a point where they admit they have a problem

Re: Mental illness- NAMI spinoff

I have several friends who have anxiety disorders, eating disorders, and Bipolar.

Plus, I am a social worker and most of the kids I work with have some form of mental illness, not to mention some of the parents.