Friends, Family & Carers Forum

[patientpatient]

Note to self, remember this.

Huffington Post article, http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/lisa-sweeney/my-brother-has-a-mental-illness-stop-asking-if-hes-bet...

Hope you find it helpful.

[Former-Member]

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@patientpatient wrote:

Note to self, remember this.

Huffington Post article, http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/lisa-sweeney/my-brother-has-a-mental-illness-stop-asking-if-hes-bet...

Hope you find it helpful.

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Hello @patientpatient

Helpful does not even come close to describing my emotions when I first read the title let alone the article itself.

I have to say that I could have written that myself, yet feel selfish to do that because my son has run away, is not in contact and is dealing with his diagnosis in his way.

As hurtful as it is for me to have heard him tell me that I no longer have 2 sons, I only have 1, I am hanging on to the response from others that it is the illness talking and not my son. We regularly told one another how much we loved each other when we spoke for years leading up to this at times when he had struggles, crises. There were gaps in communication when he did not want contact and then there were more frequent contacts, catch ups, outings. I now think of this as part of mis-diagnosis. He was and still is so very clever at how he presents to authorities. He has a definite paranoia about authorities.

I watched the you tube presentation by Eleanor Longden and was very moved by her speech.

I believe that this article does apply with any longterm mental illness. I have experienced this from the very few who even know that I have an illness. I have been told so often to be more open, share my emotions, not hide my illness. Not in my world. In generations to come, yes, perhaps society will have learnt enough and there will be much less illness as a result. I share with my specialists. helplines as well.

The fact that you have posted this article tells me that you think along the same lines. I am very proud of you without even meeting you, or knowing you personally. You are very strong and very loving. Your loved one has touched you in a way someone without such an illness cannot do. You have recognised that and responded back reassuring.

I hope that you keep writing on this thread when you are able, have more information to share or just need to say hello and express your thoughts, knowing that others will read them and support you in such a unique way.

Thank you this is potent t

[Former-Member]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/02/23/how-the-physical-health-of-people-with-mental-illness-is...

[patientpatient]

Hi @Former-Member,

I appreciate your response. The author of the article has been dealing with Sz for 20 years and that's such a long time. I only ever went to one carer's meeting. It was early days for us, less than a year after FEP and a very tentative diagnosis. The biggest impact was hearing how long people had been living with all kinds of mental illness.

Sorry to hear about your son and his comments. My son left home and refused to return because he believed the house was making him ill. Those thoughts progressed till eventually he felt compelled to live in a tent away from people. He moved interstate (south) and camped out all winter. The thinking was completely messed up and no amount of logic or discussion would change it. Those hurtful comments are coming from the distorted thinking and shouldn't be taken to heart, if that's possible.

We're not open about the diagnosis or any specifics. The illness is so misunderstood and we have enough barriers to deal with already.

[Former-Member]

A couple of interesing reads there @patientpatient and @Former-Member thanks for sharing 🙂

Highlighting some great points, helpful to be reminded sometimes. 

Everyone's journey is unique as is all of our experiences. One of the reasons I enjoy the forums so much, a space for people to own their own experiences.