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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on June 1, 2005, at 21:44:54
I recently overheard a conversation between my mom and dad. They talked about a man who used to work with my dad in a restaurant. This man acted in very strange ways and everyone thought he was insane. My dad saw this man recently and said that now he is perfectly normal. My parents believe that that man must have been possessed by evil spirits. IMO, it seems that that man may have been psychotic for a while but is now receiving adequate treatment. My parents don't understand that people with mental illnesses can be "normal" when adequately treated...they therefore assume that it *must* have been evil spirits. :-( I don't think my parents will ever quite understand my problems...I don't know how to educate them. Mental illness is really taboo.
For example: I'm quite sure my Mom has/is suffering from a generalized anxiety disorder and was depressed for a while. She doesn't see this though...instead she sees it all as physical problems.
This is why I can never do such a thing like go to a hospital for mental problems...because it is very taboo in my family. My parents think that I should not have been locked up in the psych ward after my OD...they were quite upset that the doctor didn't let me go home. My parents tried to help me escape even...by encouraging me to take the bus home by myself.
I wonder...does anyone else have these problems with family?
Deneb
Posted by Deneb on June 1, 2005, at 22:42:52
In reply to I think my family is living in the dark ages..., posted by Deneb on June 1, 2005, at 21:44:54
I admit that I know next to nothing about the various "rituals" of my culture. Does anyone know where I can read about some of this stuff?
My aunt did a very strange thing after I got back from the hospital...she made me step over a pile of burning paper as I entered the doorway to the house. Does anyone know anything about this particular ritual? I don't always understand their explanations...plus they don't usually even bother to tell me. It's just so very odd...there is a GIGANTIC cultural gap between generations in my family. Maybe this is why I'm so screwed up. :-(
Posted by rainbowbrite on June 2, 2005, at 10:29:20
In reply to I think my family is living in the dark ages..., posted by Deneb on June 1, 2005, at 21:44:54
I suggest you take your parents into you doctors with you and have her explain to them what mental illness is. That is unless your doc believes in those practices as well??
It probably would be better coming from your doc as opposed to you pdoc since they share a common language. Just a thought
Posted by JenStar on June 2, 2005, at 10:35:40
In reply to Re: Does anyone know about this ritual?, posted by Deneb on June 1, 2005, at 22:42:52
I think the ritual is supposed to be a "cleansing" ritual. The burning smoke is supposed to purify the person stepping over it and help get rid of anything unwanted in their life. Now I don't KNOW this for a fact -- I'm just guessing based on what I've read about mythology, rituals & customs in other cultures. It sounds very interesting but also very unhelpful if you don't believe in it. I think if you DID believe in it, it WOULD work (somewhat) for you. Isn't that ironic, though?? I think our minds are very powerful things, and if we THINK we're going to feel better, sometimes we CAN. THere are times I wish fervently that I believed in something like that.
I totally understand about having a family member in denial about mental illness! My mom herself suffers from depression and anxiety, just like I do. But she won't admit it. Instead, she compulsively overeats, drinks too much sometimes, and refuses to see a doctor. She completely won't admit anything is wrong and it's sooooo frustrating. She's neutral on suppporting ME when I take medication or see a therapist. She has a very negative view of doctors in general and often complains harshly about them. She thinks therapy is "stupid". (I disagree!) I love my mom, but this is one thing we disagree on. Of course, I'm "grown up" and living on my own with my hubby, so I'm not controlled by her behavior. It's easier for me than for you, definitely.It seems that you're in a rough spot. You need more help than you're getting, but your parents can't provide the RIGHT kind of help. But don't give up! Keep asking your doctor about things like Celexa or other medications that might help. Tell your parents that it's a Western medicine that helps get rid of troubled spirits. Because it kind of is, right? (I'm only half joking here!)
I think you could search on the web for information. Also, there may be a Chinese cultural center that could help. I love to read mythology books by Campbell & Frazer, but they don't focus as much on the Eastern side.
Good luck!
JenStar
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