Misunderstanding the Mentally Ill 8/6/2008 3:57:12 AM
Re-post. There is too much prejudice and ignorance with regard to mental illness. The vast majority of the mentally ill are non-violent. It takes a violent, cruel person, I believe, to commit a violent act, regardless of whether he or she is bipolar, schizophrenic, or mentally intact. We don't hear about those who are peaceful, those who do not aggress against others. Even the best educated among us have a distorted view. The schizophrenics and manic-depressives who brutalize their kids or kill their spouses give everyone else a bad name. Unfortunately, they are the ones who make the headlines, who make people afraid. Sure, there's an occasional tragedy. But an illness does not change our character. Lots of "sane" people are guilty of rapes, murders, and assaults. They are often accused of mental illness to explain what they do (though they sometimes use it as an excuse). Calling someone mentally ill usually comes with a derogatory tone of voice. The scapegoating and dumping on sick people needs to stop. We are human beings, loving parents, mature adults, and well-meaning adolescents, like most of the general population. This should be well-known to everyone, but I feel that it needs to be restated often. Thanks for reading and letting me vent my opinions.
