Humans, Not Labels

Hi Amber,

Thanks for sharing your story, good on you for being able to get back to work and hold down a job. I think the labelling issue is more for the health worker's benefit than ours. I fit into any number of 'labels' but I have a different theory on things: Society needs to be organised, so we have rules, some say it is 'rules or anarchy.

Because of my illnesses, I can quite easily 'think outside of the square' when it comes to logic or reasoning, often to the point that other people (I think) feel uncomfortable being around me. I believe this is to do with their insecurity, not mine. I am happy to have my own opinions on subjects (after all opinions are just points of view) but I have noticed some people are not comfortable with any other opinion but their own.

It is my strongly held belief that there are people out there in society who have serious unresolved mental health issues, but have not had the courage (or any other reason) to face a clinical examination for fear of getting a 'label'.

It is my therapist's opinion that the level of mental health issues in society is much greater than the statistics would reflect. So people without a label can hardly be complacent about the fact that they may qualify for a clinical diagnosis/es if they ever presented for analysis!

So credit goes to everyone on this forum (and others who have a 'label') for facing themselves in therapy!

Regards, Jake

Thank you for sharing your story, it is really wonderful that you have been able to really reach such a positive place in your life and now to be helping others that are dealing with similiar problems.

I understand how hard it can be. I am kind of in the place where I struggle with so many of the everyday things and don't like to leave the house. So it is good to know, someone that has been there has been able to actually lead a life and that there is a future.

Hi Dean (cool name) (cool photo):smileyvery-happy:

Thanks for your post (and to others as well to the thread I started). I often question my life metaphysically and philosophically. I am ordinary, born in the 1950's, and I don't think I was destined to be anything special. I am just a survivor. I have to keep trying every day to make things work for me. Getting out of bed is still difficult for me because that is my safe place. But in opposition to that, I have trouble sleeping and I have horrific nightmares. I take medication and have accepted I need ongoing support from doctors, psychiartrists, and I now have a great psychologist as well. If you need help, grab hold of everything on offer. It makes a difference and you will see slowly see improvements. I am not as 'sharp' as I used to be - probably from the medication - but I have learned to live with it.

See my post in the carer's forum about stigma if you want - it gives more detail of only a small part of what I've experienced.

For those who find they can't do much at the moment, I do understand because I've been there myself. But please try and do one small enjoyable thing each day - watch a comedy movie or go for a walk. This is how we slowly regain our confidence. It is never easy and requires commitment.

I am not a counsellor or health professional but I do know that setting small goals and achieving them is a sign you are recovering and it gives you a great feeling of satisfaction.

When you are able to let go of the past and start afresh from where you stand now, you will notice you can achieve things you never thought possible.

Amber

Hi Jake

I agree with all that you say. We can also have 'mother' 'son' 'teacher' 'consumer' etc. etc. Children from a young age are taught to name animals, vegetables and minerals. We accept names, but when it comes to disease there is still a fear associated with it. Especially mental illness. And, if you've heard of the DSM-V you will most likely agree that the world's population is included in there one way or another. They labelled all the adults and now they're labelling children with one form of diagnosis or another.

Talking Therapy may be confronting but I have found it helpful - assuming you can find the right match for you. It took me three times to find a psychologist I clicked with. I use it to help with my personal growth and it has helped me moved forwards after being 'stuck' in the past for so many years.

It wasn't my intention to say 'hey look at me now'. It was more like, 'don't write yourself off, like I once did'. We all have potention. Persevere.

All respect to you for living your own truth.

Kind regards, Amber.

Amber that was a great message you sent to us. I'm 35 & have had similar issues & [being over 18 in this society!!] feel like no spring chicken sometimes & start to think I can't pull it together, too many steps back & not enough forward etc but you are a role model. Thanks a lot for sharing that.

Hi amber,

Good on you for straight-from-the-heart-of-experience encouragement. Thanks.

I've also had huge progress with "talk therapy" help, likewise I agree that the right professsional for the individual is hard to overrate - and certainly worth persisting until you find the match.

Regards,

Kristin