Yes, despite the overcast weather, I am feeling better and less plagued by my demons than I was just a couple of days ago. The morning depression is not nearly as severe as it has been.
One thing my fellow bipolars like to say is that "it could be worse, we could be schizophrenics." I got a sampling of the schizophrenic point of view while I was recovering from a particularly deep depressive episode a few years back. I had gone down to a "clubhouse" so I could hang with other people who had mental illness. Company mattered so I happily took up the offer to play a game of Scrabble. Because I was new, the other players asked my diagnosis. When I told them that it was bipolar disorder, they identified themselves having schizophrenia.
"I'm so glad that I don't have bipolar disorder," they said to me. "I don't think I could handle the wild ups and downs. It's easier being schizophrenic."
All mental illnesses have a bad rap because of Hollywood depictions of we sufferers as being homicidal maniacs. The truth is that we're more likely to be victims of violent crime than perpetrators unless we also happen to be substance abusers. People without mental illness who are alcoholics or drug addicts are likewise more likely to be violent, so why aren't movies and televisions showing that? Lot of money in liquor is my theory.
So what myths do you combat?
One thing my fellow bipolars like to say is that "it could be worse, we could be schizophrenics." I got a sampling of the schizophrenic point of view while I was recovering from a particularly deep depressive episode a few years back. I had gone down to a "clubhouse" so I could hang with other people who had mental illness. Company mattered so I happily took up the offer to play a game of Scrabble. Because I was new, the other players asked my diagnosis. When I told them that it was bipolar disorder, they identified themselves having schizophrenia.
"I'm so glad that I don't have bipolar disorder," they said to me. "I don't think I could handle the wild ups and downs. It's easier being schizophrenic."
All mental illnesses have a bad rap because of Hollywood depictions of we sufferers as being homicidal maniacs. The truth is that we're more likely to be victims of violent crime than perpetrators unless we also happen to be substance abusers. People without mental illness who are alcoholics or drug addicts are likewise more likely to be violent, so why aren't movies and televisions showing that? Lot of money in liquor is my theory.
So what myths do you combat?