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Mrs TeePot

It's all in your mind

November 8, 2010 Mrs TeePot

A portion of this post may be sarcastic in nature. It is my natural response to stupidity.

Call me naive, tell me I’m living in a bubble, but I honestly did not realise that such ignorance as this existed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I really don’t know where to start. I was honestly unaware that people still thought that lack of serotonin, lesions in the brain, genes and various other physical factors were simply imagined. How stupid I am, these anti-depressants wont help me, all I need to do it get a grip and it’ll all be fine! Of course I am choosing to be so terrified of social interaction that I can’t breathe, can’t stop crying and shake violently. Why wouldn’t I want to be lost in despair so deep that it physically hurts? Obviously the psychotic episodes that I don’t even remember were a choice for me, because I secretly wanted to end up in hospital, to have to quit my job, to be housebound. What more could I possibly want from life?

WHAT THE ACTUAL F*CK?!?!?!

Fortunately it seems that most of my twitter followers aren’t that stupid, in fact there was a backlash against her words that restored my faith in humanity, but she honestly thinks that. There are people out there who honestly believe that I just woke up one morning and thought “I think I’ll have depression/anxiety/psychosis today.” And I am at a loss for what to say about that. If I had cancer there would be an unending amount of support from people, shocked and upset that such an awful disease exists and horrified by the damage it causes to people’s lives.

Mental illness is just as damaging and just as uncontrollable as cancer, or any other visible illness.Some days we are in remission and can appear normal, some day are very bad and people question if we will survive, most days are a battle just to get through, no days are easy. None. Even on a good day there is the fear that it will attack again, that your world will come crashing down when you least expect it, or that you’ll get too “manic” and lose control that way. It is a perilous balancing act over an abyss so deep that you cannot see the bottom, and no one chooses to start walking across it, we are all pushed.

I have blogged a million times about my illnesses (if you want to read go click “mental health,” or “anxiety,” or “depression” over on the tags over there *points* –>) and I thought, at least hoped, that it showed just how little control I have over my problems, how hard I fight just to live the life that I do, but it would seem this is not the case. How do you fight that kind of stupidity? That ignorance? How do you “prove” to someone that you are fighting tooth and nail just to get by when you don’t want to have to prove it, because you just want people to think you’re “normal.”

I’m not sure that you can, or should even have to, defend yourself against that ignorance. So I have a request: if you hold these beliefs, that mental illness is a choice/excuse, either educate yourself or stay as far away from me, and anyone else with mental health problems, as is physically and virtually possible, because we don’t need your idiocy, we have enough to deal with.

Mrs TeePot

Mrs TeePot also goes by the name Livi and is a tea drinking, chocolate munching, social networking writer. She is the Snapshot Round Up writer for Britmums and also moonlights at www.urbanvox.net adding some extra raunch to their "Fun & Frolics" column.

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  • Eoforhild

    I can’t believe I never realised it. Obviously all we need to do is just BELIEVE in being healthy and it will happen.

    Seriously, do people still actually think like that? The Victorian Era called, they want their thinking back.

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      I know! I was honestly shocked!

  • Eoforhild

    I can’t believe I never realised it. Obviously all we need to do is just BELIEVE in being healthy and it will happen.

    Seriously, do people still actually think like that? The Victorian Era called, they want their thinking back.

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      I know! I was honestly shocked!

  • http://purple-noise.blogspot.com/ Aliquant

    I haven’t read all her tweets [don't have the energy], but it sounds like she has a belief about someone close to her and is pinning that belief on everyone because it’s all she knows. Not saying it’s right, just that that’s how it looks like her view has been formed.
    However I’m surprised that you’re surprised that this sort of belief exists. I’ve heard far worse directly from the mouths of psychiatrists and other professionals; some woman on twatter saying it is quite tame lol!
    Don’t waste your energy on her Livi, we all eventually learn to choose our battles and she’s not worth the spoon expenditure.

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      I may be trying to expend tomorrows spoons in the hopes of avoided uni….*ahem*

      Maybe I’m living in a pretty little happy bubble, but yea, I was seriously shocked. I’ve had psychiatrists be useless, but not voice opinions like that! *sigh*

  • http://purple-noise.blogspot.com/ Aliquant

    I haven’t read all her tweets [don't have the energy], but it sounds like she has a belief about someone close to her and is pinning that belief on everyone because it’s all she knows. Not saying it’s right, just that that’s how it looks like her view has been formed.
    However I’m surprised that you’re surprised that this sort of belief exists. I’ve heard far worse directly from the mouths of psychiatrists and other professionals; some woman on twatter saying it is quite tame lol!
    Don’t waste your energy on her Livi, we all eventually learn to choose our battles and she’s not worth the spoon expenditure.

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      I may be trying to expend tomorrows spoons in the hopes of avoided uni….*ahem*

      Maybe I’m living in a pretty little happy bubble, but yea, I was seriously shocked. I’ve had psychiatrists be useless, but not voice opinions like that! *sigh*

  • http://walkingwithangels.wordpress.com/ Sara x

    It’s crazy that with all the medical research done into depression that people still believe its all in the mind. Yes thats why doctors hand out antidepressents just as a placebo. Arrraahhh sorry excuse the scream but I still get this kind of attitude from close family who believe a good night out will solve everything, or a few pints. I suppose enough alchol may help but I would have to become an alcoholic to save myself fromt he come down that is sure to happen.

    Having M.E is another of those cant see wont believe illnesses, the fact that ive nearly died twice is just a mishap.

    Its a shame that a part of life is that we just have to accept narrow minded people, we can try to reducate some of them but the reality is that some just dont want to understand. It rocks their word somehow.

    Stay strong xxx

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      *hugs* It is fascinating, all you have to do is google and it’ll bring up a bunch of results with all the physical causes for these problems!
      I suppose we can only hope that narrow mindedness dies out soon!
      Thanks :)

  • http://walkingwithangels.wordpress.com/ Sara xx

    It’s crazy that with all the medical research done into depression that people still believe its all in the mind. Yes thats why doctors hand out antidepressents just as a placebo. Arrraahhh sorry excuse the scream but I still get this kind of attitude from close family who believe a good night out will solve everything, or a few pints. I suppose enough alchol may help but I would have to become an alcoholic to save myself fromt he come down that is sure to happen.

    Having M.E is another of those cant see wont believe illnesses, the fact that ive nearly died twice is just a mishap.

    Its a shame that a part of life is that we just have to accept narrow minded people, we can try to reducate some of them but the reality is that some just dont want to understand. It rocks their word somehow.

    Stay strong xxx

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      *hugs* It is fascinating, all you have to do is google and it’ll bring up a bunch of results with all the physical causes for these problems!
      I suppose we can only hope that narrow mindedness dies out soon!
      Thanks :)

  • http://www.mollysdailykiss.com molly

    Well said you. A brilliant post covering a subject that I think once again has been shown to be treated by many people as a ‘fake’ illness. As you said, why would anyone choose to be ill, and in such a way that effects every aspect of everything you do.

    Mollyxxx

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      Thanks. We can only hope that the majority of people understand what we go through.

  • http://www.mollysdailykiss.com molly

    Well said you. A brilliant post covering a subject that I think once again has been shown to be treated by many people as a ‘fake’ illness. As you said, why would anyone choose to be ill, and in such a way that effects every aspect of everything you do.

    Mollyxxx

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      Thanks. We can only hope that the majority of people understand what we go through.

  • http://www.andthenallithoughtaboutwasyou.wordpress.com Kerry

    I think it is very sad that people think like this, not for them but for people who have mental illness who feel that because of these believes they need to hide their illness away. I know people that do this and it is heartbreaking to watch as they have no one to reach out to as they think this is the backlash that they will get. It puts all of who try to understand it, and no one can totally if you have experienced it I don’t think, into that catergory and we are not all thinking this. I for one don’t.

    Hope you feel better today xx

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      Thanks hun. This is the problem, isn’t it; hiding it only makes it worse. Just like any other illness it needs treatment and support.

  • http://www.andthenallithoughtaboutwasyou.wordpress.com Kerry

    I think it is very sad that people think like this, not for them but for people who have mental illness who feel that because of these believes they need to hide their illness away. I know people that do this and it is heartbreaking to watch as they have no one to reach out to as they think this is the backlash that they will get. It puts all of who try to understand it, and no one can totally if you have experienced it I don’t think, into that catergory and we are not all thinking this. I for one don’t.

    Hope you feel better today xx

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      Thanks hun. This is the problem, isn’t it; hiding it only makes it worse. Just like any other illness it needs treatment and support.

  • Pingback: Tweets that mention It’s all in your mind | Livi's Little Bubble -- Topsy.com

  • Anonymous

    Excellent. I feel liberated x

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      Lol! I’m glad! :)

  • http://www.beckicklesie.com Beckickles

    Excellent. I feel liberated x

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      Lol! I’m glad! :)

  • http://www.marisworld.wordpress.com Mari

    I have never suffered from depression on such a deep and continuous level to render my life so brutal and therefore I cannot understand just how bad it is, I fear many people don’t understand as they haven’t been through it and therefore think it’s all in the mind. An ignorance on their part that please God they won’t have to discover for real.
    I don’t want to justify the above person at all but I do think there are a lot of people out there who just don’t get it and will always struggle to. I on the other hand accept it is an illness and needs treatment even.
    You keep fighting for yourself and let these comments go right over your head x

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      I can understand that it’s difficult to understand if you haven’t experienced it but rather than make the statements that I showed in the post it would be far better to ask for an explanation. There are MH issues that I can’t get my head around (eating disorders especially) but I still know that it makes life very difficult and is not an imaginary issue.
      That’s not supposed to sound like it’s getting at you by the way! Just something that really irritates me. I do try to let it just go over my head but it’s people like that that make MH issues so hidden.

  • http://www.marisworld.wordpress.com Mari

    I have never suffered from depression on such a deep and continuous level to render my life so brutal and therefore I cannot understand just how bad it is, I fear many people don’t understand as they haven’t been through it and therefore think it’s all in the mind. An ignorance on their part that please God they won’t have to discover for real.
    I don’t want to justify the above person at all but I do think there are a lot of people out there who just don’t get it and will always struggle to. I on the other hand accept it is an illness and needs treatment even.
    You keep fighting for yourself and let these comments go right over your head x

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      I can understand that it’s difficult to understand if you haven’t experienced it but rather than make the statements that I showed in the post it would be far better to ask for an explanation. There are MH issues that I can’t get my head around (eating disorders especially) but I still know that it makes life very difficult and is not an imaginary issue.
      That’s not supposed to sound like it’s getting at you by the way! Just something that really irritates me. I do try to let it just go over my head but it’s people like that that make MH issues so hidden.

  • http://mrsljhall.wordpress.com/ @MrsLJHall

    Argh! Aren’t some people just too dense to grace the earth?! xx

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      Tell me about it!

  • http://mrsljhall.wordpress.com/ @MrsLJHall

    Argh! Aren’t some people just too dense to grace the earth?! xx

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      Tell me about it!

  • http://tillytatas.blogspot.com/ tilly

    Hi there,thanks for popping by my blog and commenting, really appreciate it. This is a great post. I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember and am having a bit of a rough patch just now. It always surprises me that people can have this kind of attitude. But basically these people are very lucky and have never experienced any form of mental health problem and so just haven’t a clue how debilitating it can be.

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      No problem :) Thanks for stopping by here! *massive hugs* I hope things pick up for you soon, sending lots of love and strength your way

  • http://tillytatas.blogspot.com/ tilly

    Hi there,thanks for popping by my blog and commenting, really appreciate it. This is a great post. I’ve struggled with depression and anxiety for as long as I can remember and am having a bit of a rough patch just now. It always surprises me that people can have this kind of attitude. But basically these people are very lucky and have never experienced any form of mental health problem and so just haven’t a clue how debilitating it can be.

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      No problem :) Thanks for stopping by here! *massive hugs* I hope things pick up for you soon, sending lots of love and strength your way

  • http://typecast2000.blogspot.com/ Nickie at Typecast

    There are people out there who don’t understand mental illnesses – I don’t expect everyone to – but I do expect people to have compassion for others’ illnesses. It’s very sad when they don’t.

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      I’m much the same. It’s hard to understand if you haven’t felt it but instead of making a judgement why not ask how it feels/what causes it/etc. There’s so much information out there now. Very sad indeed.

  • http://typecast2000.blogspot.com/ Nickie at Typecast

    There are people out there who don’t understand mental illnesses – I don’t expect everyone to – but I do expect people to have compassion for others’ illnesses. It’s very sad when they don’t.

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      I’m much the same. It’s hard to understand if you haven’t felt it but instead of making a judgement why not ask how it feels/what causes it/etc. There’s so much information out there now. Very sad indeed.

  • http://www.thekingandeye.com Autismkingandeye

    Block block block, you don’t need that crap. I am shocked that someone would speak to another person like that. I don’t agree with that persons opinion, but they are entitled to it but not entitled to shove it down someone elses throat!! Big hugs. Jen

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      Thanks chick *hugs*

  • http://www.thekingandeye.com Autismkingandeye

    Block block block, you don’t need that crap. I am shocked that someone would speak to another person like that. I don’t agree with that persons opinion, but they are entitled to it but not entitled to shove it down someone elses throat!! Big hugs. Jen

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      Thanks chick *hugs*

  • http://www.marisworld.wordpress.com Mari

    Thasnk for addign this to the MAFF link, I’ll be doing another tonorrow if you’re interested? x

    • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

      Sign me up! :)

  • http://www.marisworld.wordpress.com Mari

    Thasnk for addign this to the MAFF link, I’ll be doing another tonorrow if you’re interested? x

  • http://princessl.co.uk/ PrincessL

    Sign me up! :)

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