Are people with mental illnesses viewed as America's throwaways?

No

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by Trish Austin

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If people with mental illness allow it, people will view them as America's throwaways. The lack of writing on this debate is indicative of how the mentally ill allow them selves to be viewed as America's throwaways. Mental illness touches so many lives. But, look at the low number of articles on this important debate. Why? Most of the mentally ill are fearful. Additionally, they are extra sensitive than most to criticism and to being judged negatively.

So, writing an article about mental illness by a person who has mental illness is very challenging. But, to write one, refusing to play the victim, is even harder. The mentally ill that are up to the challenge and can handle the negative judgments by some have a duty to come forward and stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.

This is what I am trying to accomplish with this article. Standing up for all the mentally ill. No one who is innocent should be cast away in our society. It is immoral and wrong.

For example, most people do not know when they come into contact with a mentally ill individual. The stigma of mental illness and the profound ignorance about mental illness perpetuates this idea of people with mental illness are freaks.

First, there are many types of mental illness. Mental illness falls on a bell shaped curve like all things in life. There are the "normal" or "average IQ" or what ever you are measuring. The average IQ is 80 to 100. Most people fall in that range. There is no difference when measuring the mentally ill. Most of the mentally ill fall in the average category of mental illness. Then, there are the extremes at each end of the curve. Most of the mentally ill people are walking among us. Most are functional members of society. Often the average mentally ill person has an above average intelligence. They can be extremely creative people etc.. Additionally, the oversensitive nature that some mentally ill people have make them very empathetic individuals. Many become interested in Psychology and go on to become Psychologists. Some become writers. Some are artists. The out comes are endless.

I am evidence of a person with mental illness. Actually, I have more than one mental illness. Additionally, I have bits and pieces of other illnesses, but not enough to qualify for a diagnosis. I have received and do receive treatment on a regular basis for my anxiety and depressive disorder. But, if you met me on the street, you would never know I am a mentally ill individual. I look better than normal. I have beautiful children. Live in a wonderful home. Have a great husband. Drive a nice car. I actually give money to the people who push grocery carts around town talking to themselves.

What most people believe to be the mentally ill are the people with psychotic disorders. They have hallucinations.These poor individuals may suffer from schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder. They may be the ones pushing grocery carts and living on the streets.These people have stopped taking their medication. But, fortunately schizophrenia is not as common a mental illness as the illnesses that fall into the categories of mood disorders, anxiety disorders, eating disorders, impulse control disorders. (this is not a complete list)

So, I do not believe that people with mental illness are looked at as America's throwaways because the very people that hold that view come into contact with people all the time that are mentally ill. They just don't know it. They may even know some one that they admire who has a mental illness. But, most people are not open about their mental issues. Plus, the average person doesn't know what mental illness is, how many types of mental illnesses there are and how many people have a mental illness. Also, many mentally ill people hide. This perpetuates the stigma of mental illness. People like me, on days that we can handle it, need to stand up and refuse to allow any mentally ill person to be looked at as a throwaway or a freak. We need to inform the public of what great things "mentally ill" people do and have done for society. Remind them of all the famous people who have suffered from severe depression. Or severe stage anxiety, but still create beautiful music for us. The list is endless.

On my better days, I feel good about who I am and I relish the fact that I'm not "normal". Normal is boring. Normal is following the herd. Normal is not unique. Normal can't think out side the box. And, most of all, the very people who believe that they are seriously normal and have no issues are usually the very people that have the most issues. But, for many reasons cannot see their own odd behavior and the damage it does to the people around them.

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