I hate the words perception and perspective.

One of the reasons why there is so much mental illness is that what should be regarded as an environment that is hostile, aggressive and unfair is regarded as ‘normal’ and those who are sensitive to the environment and react emotionally are told that it is their perspective or perception that is the problem. This happens in school, work and in society. As a result the only way to help those that are affected is to drug them to the eyeballs so that their perception is blurred and so that they no longer feel and care and/or for them to withdraw from society.

I attended a psychologist with my 7 year old son who was withdrawn, depressed and was terrified to attend school, he didn’t feel safe – it actually triggered physical problems that resembled Chronic Fatigue and rheumatoid arthritis that was so severe that he couldn’t walk or even lift his arms at times. His pediatrician said it was psychological and triggered by his fears and he commented on the fact that he was starting to see a lot of young children presenting the same way. He suggested my son see a Psychologist. When I explained to the psychologist that my son was scared of life and fearful to attend school as he felt victimized, bullied and treated unfairly the Psychologist actually looked straight at me and said “What have you come to see me for?”.

My son is sick to death of people telling him that the problem is his perspective and that he is the one that needs to learn to accept the violence, neglect, the bullying and the aggression. He can’t understand why society doesn’t just deal with those that are violent and aggressive and protect those that are good.

My son is on Distance Education at the moment on Psychological and medical grounds and he is being educated at home. It shouldn’t have to be this way, he should be able to attend school and feel safe, validated and protected.

Well Done Everyone... this is one of the BEST and SANE -ist discussions yet on Mental Health and Society.

I feel proud to be part of this forum.

Thank-You Everyone for your Strength and Honesty!

May we walk with knowledge, for action and "real change" at ground levels, in Australia.

Yes, I agree Miacat, lots of strength and honesty shown here. Plus a sense of compassion and support which is great to see.

No-one seems to have picked up on an earlier post of mine, but it is something I would urge you to at least to consider. From my understanding, depression is caused by a chemical imbalance that can often be corrected without having to resort to anti-depressants. (Bi-polar and severe manic are probably different as pointed out by Plantagenet, I know little about them). I have overcome depression though through going on a hypoglycemic diet and taking medication for an underactive thyroid. My anxiety and insomnia are now also under control. If you are interested, try reading this article

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/articles/depression_disorder.html

If you'd like to know more, try this website

http://www.hypoglycemia.asn.au/

This may seem too simplistic for some of you at first glance but stay with it. It requires lots of research and discipline, it's no quick fix and it's not exactly cheap. But I've done it without psychologists, psychiatrists and anti-depressants so big savings there. My general health has improved and I have never felt better.

I know I sound like a walking billboard! Sorry, but I just want to share something that has worked for me.

Yep ,no money for mental health or infrastructure,and no one asks why.We have 700,000 on DSP.The numbers have doubled in 25yrs [200% increase]while our pop has only increased by 25%.540,000 on the dole,330,000 single parents and an enormous wasteful bureaucracy to support it.

Basically it is just too damn easy to get on social security and those in real needs,miss out.

Alan Jones a Liberal supporter made Tony Abbott look very ordinary.Many don't like his abrasive style,but he cuts through the BS and gets things done.His detractors need to look a little closer at the substance,rather than the weak mentality that is consumed with envy.

Excellent thinking, Scout and Shonga.

These things should definately be covered by medicare. I also think that registered psychologists and psychiatric nurses should have their powers extended so they can prescribe and administer medicines.

I have seen a range of professionals to help me with the depression I have suffered and on all occasions they knew exactly what medication I needed.

Of course then I had to go through a GP anyway, re-explain my history and then hope that she would have the same opinion as the referring expert.

I think we could streamline things a lot more, free up specialist time and reduce waiting lists if more medical power was handed over to multi-diciplinary fields.

Tubley

Your post: "Of course then I had to go through a GP anyway, re-explain my history and then hope that she would have the same opinion as the referring expert."

How true - the number of times I have had to "tell" my GP what my psychologist said is like something either Kafka or Monty Python thought up.

The same goes for reports requested by Insurance companies - back when I had a claim.

GP's should be able to concentrate on being GP's, they are already overworked. Trained and competant psychologists are treated as third class in the medical profession.

Plantagenet,

I take your point regarding bipolar and for that matter include schizophrenia - I don't suffer from those problems and cannot comment on what it the best approach. Having dealt with people suffering from both of those disorders in my days as a housing officer I can understand that drug treatment is essential. However, as a chronic depressive, chronic fatigue sufferer I can only speak from my experiences over the years with a variety of psychiatrists (who are important, but not for me), physiotherapists (assist with appropriate exercise) and psychologists (essential for behaviour therapy).

Shonga

100% with you on dental care. How to tell rich from poor - count the teeth!

In summary; our economy would benefit (apart from ourselves) if resources were provided both in prevention (safe workplaces, taking staff seriously, re-education of workplace bullies etc) and in appropriate treatment - which ever medical practioner is most appropriate for the type of illness suffered. After all we don't fund neurosurgeons to treat knee injuries, so why is all mental illness lumped into one category?

Bronwyn - am giving consideration into changing diet.

To all thank you for all your contributions thus far. Looking forward to hearing more from everyone.

Dianne