eftfnc
EFT fits in well with all the other metaphysical New Age mumbo-jumbo.

Fractelle,
Lets just say I more than just understand your situation.Hmmmmm ?
;-)

Dear Fractelle,

I think I've told you this before, but
here it is again:

You're one classy lady!

But, even more than that.

You've got strength of character.

I admire you so much.

You've been one of the joys for me, posting
on this Forum.

So, Dear Heart, you take care
of yourself because you're very, very, special!

So much courage from some of the posters.

The issue with depression and mental illness is that it is nigh impossible for a non-sufferer to imagine that it is possible to NOT have control over one's moods/thinking.

During a period in my life when I was trying to beget a baby that just wouldn't happen and was put on some medication to ripen a whole bunch of eggs, I went on a minor form on 'mental' illness. It was the most frightening and disconcerting experience that I had no control over myself, my feelings, moods and consequently thoughts. It was not an issue of 'just snapping out of it' or 'talking it through'. It gave me a tiny taste of what some suffer continuously.

We can accept that a person is a diabetic and doesn't make the insulin to cope with the sugar in an ordinary everyday diet. We don't say: 'Oh get a grip, what kind of attention seeking are you into, you can't just up and go for a snack whenever you feel like it.' No way will anybody risk having to deal with a hypoglycaemic coma.

But just like with diabetes, mental illness also is not a case of one size fits all. It often takes quite a while to work out the best combination of medication, diet and lifestyle and counselling for each individual.

Anansi - your analogy to diabetes is apt.Its taken me since the age of twelve until recently to learn really to accept the fact that bi-polarism is for life. And yep. Like others, I've tried everything along the way - diet, excercise,psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors, ganga, suicide, umpteen different medications.

Taking a tablet every day seems like such a little thing to do - no-one questions a diabetic who takes daily medication. But for some reason the majority of people are forever colluding in trying to get one to "get off the meds". I truly appreciate that there is so much more public discussion about mental illness now than there used to be, and that its good to share different things. But, as so many people have said, there's no one size fits all way to go about it.

So many advocate going without medication that one often feels like a complete loser for taking it. When this is added to the natural loser-feeling about being a defective unit anyway...and then one goes into a high or low (no medication can stop the swings, the best it does - if you don't want to be one of the Living Dead - is to tamp them down) and, not unnaturally, the medication stops.

There is a very high rate of suicide amongst those who are bi-polar...and it usually occurs after one has gone off treatment. When you are a few sandwiches short of a picnic anyway, keeping on that wretched little pill is incredibly difficult - one so wants to be "normal" - that the slightest hint of a 'new' way of coping is enough to send some people off the meds and spiralling down into that familiar place where hope no longer exists.

Like the mental health professional who, earlier on, expressed reservations, I welcome forums like this which allow people to de-mystify mental illness, but have reservations about any recommendations which do not loudly, firmly and convincingly advocate lengthy discussion of such with ones health care providers, extensive research and much re-education.

So many people to acknowledge and thank and so few words permitted.

Foxy - your post was a much needed boost - can you bottle that?

Examinator - always thoughtful

Celivia - EFT deserves what s/he gets

Anansi - best analogy yet - diabetes. We look completely normal (well maybe not first thing in the morning) but unlike a broken leg or massive boils there is nothing to indicate the fact of mental illness.

Romany - I really know where you have been - we may be on different continents but our lives have crossed paths.

Kalweb - I remain sceptical too - your advice is heeded and comes from a solid medical background.

There is still way too much misunderstanding - particularly in the workplace; does one advise a prospective employer that one has a mental disability - risking losing the job or being treated differently or keep to oneself hoping that no episodes will be triggered? For example, after working ten years in Human Services working with homeless and often ill people, I no longer can handle highly stressful situations. It wasn't so much the unfortunate people I tried to help, it was the lack of support from management. The basis on which our performances were evaluated, not reflecting the reality of the day to day issues faced, but all about statistics. Clearly, staying away from stressful jobs is a must - but I can't put on my resume can't handle difficult people - makes me look like a wimp, which I am not.

This Dilbert cartoon aptly sums up dealing with bullies in the workplace and all the help one can expect from HR.

http://www.dilbert.com/dyn/str_strip/000000000/00000000/0000000/000000/30000/2000/700/32784/32784.strip.gif

In the face of everything humour wins out every time.

Love to all, even EFTfnc.

:-D