Society and its influence on mental illnesses

Hi @GildaT - great article, thank you.  About ten years ago, my work brought me into contact with many 'psychics' and 'clairvoyants'.  I was contacted by the 'Hearing Voices Team' from the Newcastle research and teaching hospital to help them get some subjects to take part in their study to determine why some people hearing voices see it as a positive experience, such as the psychics and clairvoyants and some find it scary, life inhibiting and all the rest.  This excluded the seriously ill, highly delusional patients, but those who heard voices, but still functioned in normal society.

One of he main things that came out of the study, was that perhaps the biggest factor was peer group and background.  Those that grew up in a broad minded, non-judgemental,  unprejudiced family environment, were more likely to explore the psychic/clairvoyant.  Those that grew up in a more narrow minded, judgemental, prejudiced environment were much more likely to try and hide their symptoms for fear of what their family or peers would think. 

In many cases, it was not the voices themselves that they found frightening, indeed, some even found them comforting, it was the fact that they were hearing them that they found the problem, they were frightened of what people would think or say, frightened to admit that they were hearing voices, not frightened by the voices themselves, if you follow that.

I found the whole thing extremely interesting.

I Think there is still a lot of misunderstanding in society about mental illness and there is so many different types of mental illness that it is not suprising that people with these complaints are wary of letting on what they have.

It also seems to be a bit of a post code lottery as to how good the care is - different authorities seem to decide to either invest or not invest in mental health provision - we are unfortunately in an area that did not and the care locally is particularly bad.

I have suffered with depression since 1988 but it has taken 20 years to finally be diagnosed as suffering from bipolar type 2.

Now it has taken a further 5 years to be prescribed a balance of medication that, so far, appears to be keeping my moods on a level.

Over the years a prime frustration has been the attitude of many of the psychiatrists: dismissive -take these tablets & see me again on 6 months, oh its your parents fault, etc.

Fully in agreement with Suncatcher2015 in that mental health is continuously at the bottom of the ladder in terms of funding.

13 years ago I was involved in a project entitled Freeway, to support/enable long term mental health sufferers to engage in self esteem groups, access support agencies, research educatin opportunities, gain part/full time employment. The charity who created this project had sourced funding from the EU for two years BUT attempting source additional funds, towards the end of 2 years, was nigh on impossible. The EU decided to direct their resources to the eastern block i.e. Poland, the Czech Republic & so on. For myself, my fellow workers, our clients & the charity it was heartbreaking particularly as it was the most successful project in the charity's history.

It was later discovered that the trust were envious of our success & were in a position to finance us for, at least, an additional year!

In conclusion it was the most memorable, satisfying & happiest period of employment of my life.

That is awful that it has taken    you so long to be diagnosed

Hi all, I'm suffering so badly with depression it seems that family and friends except for a couple don't understand and because I rarely leave the house I feel so alone, as I'm new to this group I hope to get to know people In the various inner groups. Btw I'm not always this down I do have a good sense of humour lol. Hugs to all, Pat xx

@Madnan 

Welcome, How are you feeling today?

Hi roselilly

Thank you for that comment. To add something I learn't working in the mental health field, trusts talk about setting up a project then have another meeting about funds and then another meeting to set up another meeting and so on ad infinitum.......................!!!

The bureaucracy is now so overwhelming it forced my partner, a Head Occupational Therapist, to retire early because she couldn't do the job she had trained for & was, and still remains, extremely passionate about.

It is a fact that more money is spent on filling in forms, making notes than actually TREATING MENTAL HEALTH SUFFERERS.

Dear Pat

So sorry to hear you are suffering as I did. My initial breakdown in 1988 resulted in my not venturing out for between 6 & 9 months-except to see a doctor.

My Parents were wonderful, supportive, patient, kind & incredibly helpful: however, friends of many years were outrageously judgemental - pull yourself together, 'that's the most pathetic thing I've ever read' was one of a number of debilitating comments made having received letters from me or ring me when your better!

Thankfully over the years I've had a small group of people with the intelligence to understood this awful illness and have never given up. I may not see/talk to them very often but they are always there & never JUDGE me.MY Partner became so incensed with her brother & sister in law who were judgemental when I suffered low moods staying with them  - she was shocked at the realisation they were that way. This increased my guilt perception but over time I have managed to rise above it.

I do hope the aforesaid is of some help. I am also very new to this forum but already feel it is somewhere I can freely discuss feelings/events & hopefully encourage others that there is life beyond depression.

Hi Sebastian

Thank you for your kind words I'm very glad you had great support from your parents and partner it must make such a difference, I'm so happy for you that you have learnt to rise above your guilt perception.

Unfortunately my parents are elderly 90 and 95 and they don't understand that I have physical and mental health issues and sadly my husband and daughters can't handle illness of any kind, my doctors practise have really gone downhill and it's difficult to get an appointment let alone see same dr.

The depression anxiety etc is worse as I feel total burden and very guilty as until 6yrs ago I ran my own successful business which I struggled to keep going but my health eventually let me down and now I'm a virtual recluse in my bedroom.

please excuse me venting but really struggling at the moment, but so happy I found this wonderful site with various groups etc which I'm still discovering.

Your comments have been very helpful and encouraging thank you again.