General Discussion

BainsBane

(57,775 posts)

20. What mental illness looks like

Sat Dec 15, 2012, 07:26 PM

Dec 2012

Than you for your post. I share your frustration. I'd like to provide a glimpse into what mental illness is like.

My day yesterday. I took the day off work in hopes of getting things done around the house. But I've been very tired lately. I suffer from major, unipolar depression, and it has ruled my life for the past 15 years. I slept all day, woke up about 5:30 pm. I looked at my IPad and saw news of the shooting and felt utter shock. I let my dog out (an angel and my salvation). I couldn't bear the news about the dead children, and I went back to sleep until 9pm. I didn't go to a school and kill 20 children and 8 adults. I didn't think about hurting people. I didn't cause harm to anyone else, except my dog who didn't get a walk. That is what my mental illness looks like.

Like Dennimi, I'm a threat to no one. Nor am I responsible for gun violence. I resent being scapegoated so gun advocates can deflect from what makes these mass assaults possible: easy access to guns and a culture that elevates gun rights above human life.

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I was diagnosed with Bipolar II last summer, spent 3 weeks in a psychiatric day program. [View all] Denninmi Dec 2012 OP

We as a society have to process this tragedy as it is and for what it is... FarPoint Dec 2012 #1

Denninmi!! blaze Dec 2012 #2

you're not a danger to society. mentally ill doesn't automatically = psychopath dionysus Dec 2012 #3

mental illness can take the best people in the world liberal_at_heart Dec 2012 #6

i agree completely. i think this shooter had severe mentall illness. but let us not act as if dionysus Dec 2012 #10

It's also next to impossible to force an adult to get treatment. LeftInTX Dec 2012 #19

Way too many DUers are steadfastly convinced that is the case, though. (nt) Posteritatis Dec 2012 #61

You have no right to own a gun HockeyMom Dec 2012 #4

you do have a right to own a gun dlwickham Dec 2012 #54

My dear Denninmi... CaliforniaPeggy Dec 2012 #5

Do you really think you should own a gun? I don't. Shivering Jemmy Dec 2012 #7

you know yourself, but you don't know the op cali Dec 2012 #11

If you really, really, really want to keep people from seeking help with mental difficulties Fumesucker Dec 2012 #12

It's not the gun ownership it's the facile baseless fear of the mentally ill HereSince1628 Dec 2012 #16

Well said BainsBane Dec 2012 #21

+1 freshwest Dec 2012 #44

This message was self-deleted by its author HereSince1628 Dec 2012 #39

you said it better than i ever could fizzgig Dec 2012 #40

I come across all sorts of rage-drunk "sane" assholes who shouldnt own 'em either Warren DeMontague Dec 2012 #25

+1 n/t jtuck004 Dec 2012 #47

Exactly where in my post did I say I wanted to own a gun? Denninmi Dec 2012 #26

We're not all broad brush painting... progressoid Dec 2012 #8

Thanks. Denninmi Dec 2012 #28

I am so sorry. I have been enraged by the insensitivity on display here cali Dec 2012 #9

I'm so sorry. Terra Alta Dec 2012 #13

My 28 y.o. son is in now in a psych ward in Oregon. 99th_Monkey Dec 2012 #14

I'm sorry about your son LeftInTX Dec 2012 #22

It is never easy or straightforward. 99th_Monkey Dec 2012 #32

Mental illness is one of the last societal taboos, in that "we don't discuss it" in public Fire Walk With Me Dec 2012 #15

+1 Thanks for the education. n/t Smarmie Doofus Dec 2012 #34

Oh, important addendum... Fire Walk With Me Dec 2012 #46

You're at an increased risk blazeKing Dec 2012 #17

False BainsBane Dec 2012 #23

Yeah. That's helpful. Denninmi Dec 2012 #31

As someone with a Bipolar Diagnosis redStateBlueHeart Dec 2012 #18

What mental illness looks like BainsBane Dec 2012 #20

We need specialized profiling XemaSab Dec 2012 #24

This is America we're talking about here Fumesucker Dec 2012 #45

The vast, vast, vast majority of people with mental health issues are not dangerous. backscatter712 Dec 2012 #27

I worry more about the "tea party" marching around with rifles than I do about the "mentally ill" Fire Walk With Me Dec 2012 #41

Me too. Denninmi Dec 2012 #50

It is human nature and the american way to look for one simple solution for every problem. lumberjack_jeff Dec 2012 #29

So... When did you stop shooting random people in schools and shopping malls? Quantess Dec 2012 #30

Depressive with suicidal tendencies is not a public safety issues. Bipolar in manic phase is. FarCenter Dec 2012 #33

It can be. Denninmi Dec 2012 #35

there are states enacting laws to try to prevent those kinds of behaviors liberal_at_heart Dec 2012 #43

Yes the BS needs to stop. Mental illness does not equate to murderer. TexasTowelie Dec 2012 #36

i think some people use it to distract for the need to have gun control JI7 Dec 2012 #37

Hi, Denninmi! Good to see you! intaglio Dec 2012 #38

Thanks, I am. Denninmi Dec 2012 #51

Not all violence is the same. The cause of safety won't be helped by conflating the unlike HereSince1628 Dec 2012 #42

most people with mental illnesses are not dangerous. Deep13 Dec 2012 #48

Well, I'm pretty sure I'm not dangerous. Denninmi Dec 2012 #52

same here nt Deep13 Dec 2012 #55

People with mental illness are far more likely to be victims rather than perpetrators of crime etherealtruth Dec 2012 #49

A lot of people are being broadbushed: Aspergers' (sp?), shy people, ecstatic Dec 2012 #53

The mental health canard is used to derail any real discussion of gun owenership/control/regulation. geckosfeet Dec 2012 #56

Thanks for a gutsy and challenging OP. JohnnyLib2 Dec 2012 #57

No, you're not dangerous AnnieBW Dec 2012 #58

Thanks, I know that. Denninmi Dec 2012 #60

Mmmm... clams... AnnieBW Dec 2012 #62

K and R Hatchling Dec 2012 #59

Part of our societal problem is lack of understanding of mental health issues. Coyotl Dec 2012 #63

If only more of us would take better care of what we learn. Festivito Dec 2012 #64