To think a lot of people are still really ignorant about MH issues?

[TheMagicKeyCanFuckOff]

Generally (not just about recent threads, which I have been on, but generally as a build up from daily life) there seems to be so little awareness. People talking as if it wasn't a set of real illnesses (caused by chemical imbalances or similar- and affecting a physical part of you- your brain) or as if seeking help was easy and that, for example, depression might affect you mentally, but it is just as damaging as many physical illnesses, is incredibly isolating and so on. If I came down with an illness while on my work course and had to leave, they'd be sympathetic. Because I had a depression induced breakdown, I'm selfish and it's just stress

And my friend tells me that, what with some TV ads a bit ago and whatever, people are understanding about MH and mental illness MORE understanding, yes, but too many people seem to think MH is not a proper illness/can't understand why no one speaks out/whatever.

I think it is a lot to ask, to expect non-depressed people to understand exactly how any given depressed person feels. It is an illness with a wide spectrum and manifests in many ways. Most people will suffer an episode of depression in their lives.

Please don't "call people out" on using the word depressing. When I describe something as depressing, I am not confusing that with full-on depression. I am not stupid. Depressing is a legitimate word and has a meaning of its own.

I took dh to the doctor and spoke for him on more than once. It was enough for the GP to get the ball rolling and dh to open up to the GP. I know one time he went by himself and saw another gp he was treated as if he was trying to skive work. Yet when I have suggested that a poster on MN make an appointment for her dh, sh was told by others the as she shouldn't get involved and he should be doing it for himself If your dp had any other sort of illness you would help them and support them but not apparently when it comes to depression.

I think its hard to know what words are okay when it comes to mental health. I find it okay when people say "its so depressing" but don't like it when people say "I'm so depressed" when they are a bit sad. Its so flippant and makes depression seem less awful. Its the same with "I'm so OCD" and making a serious illness seem like a quirk.

I agree that mental illness isn't taken as seriously as physical illness. People seem to assume its a choice. Like anorexia, "why don't they just eat!". Like its a choice the person has made. Its the same with some OCD compulsions. I've been told "just stop doing it, its easy", like I have any choice in matter. Imagine saying to someone with a physical disability that means they use a wheelchair, "just walk!".

One of my very closest relations suffered from depression and while I tried to be understanding and helpfull I did find it hard to understand how she felt as I have never had any trouble with depression myself. I think we all understand what physical pain feels like but not mental, does that make any sense?

I wouldn't call people out, that phrase is now definitely part of the English vocabulary, and has a separate meaning. As a sufferer, it means a lot to me, but with my sensible head on, it means nothing and is just a normal phrase and not connected to mental illness. I wasn't thinking when I said that and I wouldn't ever call someone out for that- I'm fairly sure it's a normal English usage and is not related to depression.

YANBU. One in four people will suffer from a mental health problem, but how many are comfortable discussing it? Things are improving but mental illness is still misunderstood and stigmatised. Hopefully one day, research will show in greater detail exactly how it happens and how it isn't the fault of the sufferer, and more effective treatments will be found.

You are right, it isn't widely understood. That's true of a lot of illnesses though, it's impossible to truly understand unless you or someone very close to you has been through it. People are sympathetic to cancer, but don't know about everything that someone with cancer has to deal with.

And even when someone does have personal experience, they only really understand their own experience. People's experiences of the same thing vary very widely.

Woah, 1 in 4 is a lot of people Saffyz

MH issues are wide and varied and they ARE very hard to understand though. Much harder than physical illnesses IMO.
I have a couple of friends with MH illnesses, one has never found a diagnosis and treatment she agrees with. SHE doesn't understand herself so how can I? I have lots of sympathy but can't empathise. And what she thinks about it and wants to try for it has changed in the 18yrs I've known her.
Those who have never experienced it can only be as kind and open and non-judgemental as possible but we will never really understand.

The other issue with MH illness is that it really HURTS friends and family to see a sufferer beat themselves up and be in such a negative place. I find it far harder to than to see a loved one in physical pain.

They don't have to be understood to be treated as seriously as physical illnesses though. Even something as simple as people realising that mental illness happens through as little choice as a physical illness would result in better response to mental illness.

As the starter of one of those thread it goes without saying YANBU !#

Although I dont mind the a bit OCD type comments. It is possible to have small OCD tendencies and similar without having the full blown condition. It also does mean people have some degree of awareness although, usually not much.

Someone once asked me in total honestly, in trying to understand me whether or not I could "just not be depressed". Genuine question they were totally befuzzled by the whole thing. I did try to explain but Im not sure they understood my explanation.

YANBU

but what to do. I don't hide my illness (bipolar) in an attempt to show that it affects 'normal' people but it can be hard. People's reactions can be very upsetting. You have to have hind of a rhino and big support network. Many do not.

YANBU. I have two kids with Tourette's syndrome. It's a complex illness, and I'm not expecting people to understand it. Some people on mumsnet are sympathetic and want to learn.
Others just seem to poke fun at the illness- 'I had a Tourette's moment'. Or they express their own distress at seeing someone tic in public. Absolutely no empathy for the individual who's brain causes them to move suddenly or say things that they do not want to.
My children are already acutely aware of other people's reactions. Even their Grandmother has been rude about their illness. Unbelievable!

Roses I have very limited experience of Tourette's syndrome, but knew a person who was very sweary and would realise she'd shocked people and do a tinkly little laugh and say 'Ooh, I'm Tourette's, aren't I?!' then laugh some more. And a cousin who had Tourette's was once told off in school for having a tic. Apparently the teachers thought she could stop them, completely, from happening Thankfully both incidents were quite a while ago but opinions evidently don't move on.

I have actually wanted to start a similar thread- something like 'is it unreasonable for my children's illness not to be mocked?'
Obviously I'm not going to do that now. Thanks for starting this one.
I think I'm not looking for understanding from people. The trouble with Mental Health illnesses is that they affect people's behaviour. Since non- affected people have full control over their behaviour - they just can't comprehend the effect the brain can have on the body. I hope that makes sense

There is however no reason why people can't respect the illness and the sufferer. There is no other illness - even flu - that people would make light of, or tell the person 'to snap out of'.

I will add that in real life the kids have had good support from school, activities and friends. I've educated a lot of people about Tourette's.
Some family members have been awful - which is still very painful.