Laureen’s answer to “Is this book going to get better? I'm on page 27, and so far I'd say it's about 25% funny and 75% …” > Likes and Comments
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I don't mean to sound like I am attacking you, so please don't take it that way. I have also experienced serious mental illness and I've worked on it, in therapy and with medication, and while I am extremely happy for you that you got better, that is not the experience that all of us have had. Many of us are still struggling to find out way. To sit there and say that because you got better means that others aren't trying, which is basically what you have said, is very dismissive of all those whose problems weren't so "easily" solved. It also feeds right into down-playing the seriousness of depression as a "real" illness, which is something a lot of us have to fight against, just so we can get help.
Riayl, I understand only too well the struggle. I struggle with my PTSD for over 30 years before deciding to get help. I know that one size doesn't fit all and I also know that every one takes their own path. I didn't mean to be dismissive and please don't take my comment on this book personally. It just wasn't for me. I participate in many anti-stigma programs over the state and am an active member of NAMI, as well as a trainer, so I know the seriousness of depression. I too have wanted to kill myself. And as you'll see, I wrote a very revealing book on my mental illness - it was not funny. I healed because I put myself first. I didn't care what others thought, if they thought my mental illness was real or not. I hope my book will help others to know the effectiveness of therapy and that there is hope of recovery, instead of just living with mental illness.
At the very least, let's agree we are both passionate about helping the world see people who experience mental illness as REAL people - and not a disease that can be easily dismissed as "get over it" -- love and peace
I appreciate you responding and I hope that it was clear with the quotation marks that I didn't think your path to healing was actually easy. If it came across that way I truly apologize - I worried about that after I posted. I didn't really take the comment personally, I'm reading the book now, and liking it, I'm a bit of the same kind of crazy, so I can relate to it a lot, but I can absolutely see how it wouldn't be for some people. I was really just more concerned with the idea that the reality of depression was being dismissed, and I apologize for assuming that was what you were doing. I'm in a downward swing right now, so everything is colored in the negative. I think I probably did take the not better yet part personally, sort of a reverse projection kind of thing? (Does that even make sense?) A lot of my family wants to know why I "don't just get better" or, another favorite, "if you'd just smile you'd be happy". I like to reply that by frowning I am getting more exercise. lol So, my apologies for that, also.
I saw your book and I want to read it, I'm just not sure I am brave enough right now. Different situations but I am afraid it might trigger, so I will probably wait until I'm a little more stable emotionally. But I do want to say that I think you are amazing for sharing your story with the world, you have my utmost respect for that.
I really like you :) ... no worries. Thank you for posting. If people don't say how they feel, nothing changes.
I'm glad you're enjoying Furiously Happy. I know the author is doing great things for people with MI. Hey, we're all doing our part.
Godspeed on your journey.
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Riayl
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Apr 15, 2016 02:34AM
I don't mean to sound like I am attacking you, so please don't take it that way. I have also experienced serious mental illness and I've worked on it, in therapy and with medication, and while I am extremely happy for you that you got better, that is not the experience that all of us have had. Many of us are still struggling to find out way. To sit there and say that because you got better means that others aren't trying, which is basically what you have said, is very dismissive of all those whose problems weren't so "easily" solved. It also feeds right into down-playing the seriousness of depression as a "real" illness, which is something a lot of us have to fight against, just so we can get help.
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Riayl, I understand only too well the struggle. I struggle with my PTSD for over 30 years before deciding to get help. I know that one size doesn't fit all and I also know that every one takes their own path. I didn't mean to be dismissive and please don't take my comment on this book personally. It just wasn't for me. I participate in many anti-stigma programs over the state and am an active member of NAMI, as well as a trainer, so I know the seriousness of depression. I too have wanted to kill myself. And as you'll see, I wrote a very revealing book on my mental illness - it was not funny. I healed because I put myself first. I didn't care what others thought, if they thought my mental illness was real or not. I hope my book will help others to know the effectiveness of therapy and that there is hope of recovery, instead of just living with mental illness.At the very least, let's agree we are both passionate about helping the world see people who experience mental illness as REAL people - and not a disease that can be easily dismissed as "get over it" -- love and peace
I appreciate you responding and I hope that it was clear with the quotation marks that I didn't think your path to healing was actually easy. If it came across that way I truly apologize - I worried about that after I posted. I didn't really take the comment personally, I'm reading the book now, and liking it, I'm a bit of the same kind of crazy, so I can relate to it a lot, but I can absolutely see how it wouldn't be for some people. I was really just more concerned with the idea that the reality of depression was being dismissed, and I apologize for assuming that was what you were doing. I'm in a downward swing right now, so everything is colored in the negative. I think I probably did take the not better yet part personally, sort of a reverse projection kind of thing? (Does that even make sense?) A lot of my family wants to know why I "don't just get better" or, another favorite, "if you'd just smile you'd be happy". I like to reply that by frowning I am getting more exercise. lol So, my apologies for that, also. I saw your book and I want to read it, I'm just not sure I am brave enough right now. Different situations but I am afraid it might trigger, so I will probably wait until I'm a little more stable emotionally. But I do want to say that I think you are amazing for sharing your story with the world, you have my utmost respect for that.
I really like you :) ... no worries. Thank you for posting. If people don't say how they feel, nothing changes.I'm glad you're enjoying Furiously Happy. I know the author is doing great things for people with MI. Hey, we're all doing our part.
Godspeed on your journey.
