Thursday, February 10, 2011
Friday, February 4, 2011
BiPolar the Common Denominator
Rape, Trauma, Illness, abandonment, loneliness, fear, shock, disbelief they all have a common denominator - bipolar. For some reason the world thinks that because you have bipolar there is somewhere a pill that makes it all better. Some therapist office where cognitive therapy will make you well and you will live happily ever after. Well guess what that is what it sounds like a fairytail.
All the issues of life are answered in one place, God's Holy Word. I know you think I'm a religious zealot who is not well or sick somehow because I beleive in the One who saved me from myself. the one who thought enough of me and loved me enough to bring me to the end of my very existence to life me up again, higher and better than I could have ever done on my own.
Mental Illness is being linked to radical beleifs because there are radical religious idiots out there killing in the name of god. I sat and watched a show the other night and it made me think that maybe there is something to this. I've heard here in Houston that people are killing there parents, siblings and other people. They claim mental illness is the factor
All the issues of life are answered in one place, God's Holy Word. I know you think I'm a religious zealot who is not well or sick somehow because I beleive in the One who saved me from myself. the one who thought enough of me and loved me enough to bring me to the end of my very existence to life me up again, higher and better than I could have ever done on my own.
Mental Illness is being linked to radical beleifs because there are radical religious idiots out there killing in the name of god. I sat and watched a show the other night and it made me think that maybe there is something to this. I've heard here in Houston that people are killing there parents, siblings and other people. They claim mental illness is the factor
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Mental Health Patients Locked Up at "Home"
It has begun to really irritate me as I advocate for those with mental illness in my home town.
The times have changed. With so few institutional beds for those who act "crazy" and are diagnosed with a mental illness, parents and caretakers have begun to lock them up in their homes for fear of embarrassment.
Disability checks flood the homes of those lucky enough to get one from the state, and free health insurance covers pharmaceutical drugs that on average cost $20 per tablet.
What happens to the checks?
They are consumed by the caretakers or parents, and are used for the support of the illness by keeping their family member under the direct command of a doctor, who declares after a 15-minute session that this person can no longer have any quality of life.
This type of abuse is no different than the days when hundreds of people were involuntarily locked up by family members to benefit from the patients' wealth, or to eliminate the responsibility of raising and caring for someone who is obviously hurting or not able to care for themselves.
I had the privilege of hearing Kathie Snow of Disability is Natural speak on the behavior of the family members and society towards someone who looks, acts or smells differently than they do.
It is appalling that after all this time, and especially with ADA, Civil Rights Act and numerous other "good intentions," that people are still treated like common animals.
Recently I sent a letter to the President of NAMI Texas.
In my letter, I explained the atrocities that occur here in my hometown and the beliefs the leaders of this grassroots non-profit have towards us.
They refuse to let me speak on recovery.
They refuse to answer my e-mails when I recommend an article on recovery and wellness in regards to us, and to me that is rude and disrespectful.
I know these people have good intentions, but they are ignorant to the truth of who we really are.
One "principle belief” that NAMI claims and has each consumer read at every support meeting is, “We are not our diagnoses.”
Really?
Then why the hell do you insist on talking about nothing but the illness?
Why can't I tell you I'm okay?
Why will you not let me tell other hurting parents and family members that with time, therapy and yes, some medication, their loved one will be okay and live to be healthy, happy and a productive person in society.
A few weeks back I visited a young lady in her 30's. I had the privilege of having tea with her one night as she explained her dreams to me, her desires as a woman, and her hopes for her future.
Unfortunately, I had to meet her overbearing, rude and disrespectful mother at the end of our pleasant time together. I have NEVER been treated like that in my life.
To make it even worse, I had to sit there while this woman berated her daughter by telling her she had too many issues, and to not look forward to being better or having a life worth living.
I left in tears, amazed at the disrespect she had for the both of us!
If anyone had issues, it was the mother.
Many skeletons were in her closet as she ranted and raved about her personal life, and how she made her decisions that were best for her, never considering that her negative, hateful behavior was damaging the confidence and self esteem of her own daughter.
She is stuck, and stuck people commit suicide.
She is isolated and very lonely, with no friends and way too much time on her hands.
She is desperate for God and knows deep down she is lost, and without intervention will most likely end up in another hospital or worse.
For me, this is the worst part of being diagnosed, knowing what I know about God and how He desires to heal us and make us whole.
For the sake of Christ, I wish these parents would listen to themselves and get out of God's way.
Those days are far off for most.
The damage is being done as I speak, and my peers are screaming for someone to listen and someone to reach out a hand so they can get up.
I pray that before another night rests in the west, that God has a chance to save one more from herself, and deals with her in His unfailing love and compassion.
The times have changed. With so few institutional beds for those who act "crazy" and are diagnosed with a mental illness, parents and caretakers have begun to lock them up in their homes for fear of embarrassment.
Disability checks flood the homes of those lucky enough to get one from the state, and free health insurance covers pharmaceutical drugs that on average cost $20 per tablet.
What happens to the checks?
They are consumed by the caretakers or parents, and are used for the support of the illness by keeping their family member under the direct command of a doctor, who declares after a 15-minute session that this person can no longer have any quality of life.
This type of abuse is no different than the days when hundreds of people were involuntarily locked up by family members to benefit from the patients' wealth, or to eliminate the responsibility of raising and caring for someone who is obviously hurting or not able to care for themselves.
I had the privilege of hearing Kathie Snow of Disability is Natural speak on the behavior of the family members and society towards someone who looks, acts or smells differently than they do.
It is appalling that after all this time, and especially with ADA, Civil Rights Act and numerous other "good intentions," that people are still treated like common animals.
Recently I sent a letter to the President of NAMI Texas.
In my letter, I explained the atrocities that occur here in my hometown and the beliefs the leaders of this grassroots non-profit have towards us.
They refuse to let me speak on recovery.
They refuse to answer my e-mails when I recommend an article on recovery and wellness in regards to us, and to me that is rude and disrespectful.
I know these people have good intentions, but they are ignorant to the truth of who we really are.
One "principle belief” that NAMI claims and has each consumer read at every support meeting is, “We are not our diagnoses.”
Really?
Then why the hell do you insist on talking about nothing but the illness?
Why can't I tell you I'm okay?
Why will you not let me tell other hurting parents and family members that with time, therapy and yes, some medication, their loved one will be okay and live to be healthy, happy and a productive person in society.
A few weeks back I visited a young lady in her 30's. I had the privilege of having tea with her one night as she explained her dreams to me, her desires as a woman, and her hopes for her future.
Unfortunately, I had to meet her overbearing, rude and disrespectful mother at the end of our pleasant time together. I have NEVER been treated like that in my life.
To make it even worse, I had to sit there while this woman berated her daughter by telling her she had too many issues, and to not look forward to being better or having a life worth living.
I left in tears, amazed at the disrespect she had for the both of us!
If anyone had issues, it was the mother.
Many skeletons were in her closet as she ranted and raved about her personal life, and how she made her decisions that were best for her, never considering that her negative, hateful behavior was damaging the confidence and self esteem of her own daughter.
She is stuck, and stuck people commit suicide.
She is isolated and very lonely, with no friends and way too much time on her hands.
She is desperate for God and knows deep down she is lost, and without intervention will most likely end up in another hospital or worse.
For me, this is the worst part of being diagnosed, knowing what I know about God and how He desires to heal us and make us whole.
For the sake of Christ, I wish these parents would listen to themselves and get out of God's way.
Those days are far off for most.
The damage is being done as I speak, and my peers are screaming for someone to listen and someone to reach out a hand so they can get up.
I pray that before another night rests in the west, that God has a chance to save one more from herself, and deals with her in His unfailing love and compassion.
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