Posted by Miguy on November 1, 2000, at 12:09:52
In reply to rebuttal to » Miguy, posted by pullmarine on October 31, 2000, at 22:59:48
Wow. I hesitate to even respond, because it seems logic doesn't work with you.
All I will say is that it's real easy to judge those who are different. It comes easy to many people to say that these conditions do not exist when they have not experienced them.
Re: illness. Ok, you pick a word. Malady. Affliction. Inconvenience. I don't care. But whatever a heart attack is, so is a panic attack. Whatever high blood pressure is, so is depression. You're right - they are symptoms. Partially due to environmental factors and partially due to biological factors. But they are very much real. If you choose not to believe this, fine. Debate with other 'healthy' people. But please don't express your views to people who need help.
Why is it so easy to forgive a nearsighted person for wearing glasses, or an arthritic for taking NSAIDS? These people are not accused of not dealing with their issue. Or what about a diabetic who takes insulin to make up for an inherent decifiency as contrasted with someone taking a medication to make up for a deficiency of serotonin, dopamine or norepinephrine?
These drugs are not 'uppers'. If a normal healthy person takes them they will not become giddy. It will likely have no effect (except for usual side-effects).
I used to think along the same lines you do. I used to think people should pull themselves up by their bootstraps and get over it. But that's just not reality. If our brain is so complicated that we barely understand it, then why is it so difficult to believe that it may become ill? I agree that many "mental illnesses" (use whatever word you prefer here) are used as crutches by people who could benefit by counseling, responsibility and by simply "growing up". I'm not talking about these cases. I'm talking about people who literally cannot get out of bed, or who find going to the market unimaginable because of their anxiety. I'm not pushing drugs, I'm pushing acceptance. Acceptance of the fact that their are hurting people who need help. It may require counseling, medication, therapy, .... who knows? (Probably not an attorney, though.)
poster:Miguy
thread:47722
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001022/msgs/47917.html