A Month of Gratitude, Day 19

Sunday, December 26, 2010
I have a number of friends who suffer from mental illness. Mostly their diseases are under control - anxiety, depression and various degrees of OCD. I myself have had episodes of clinical depression in my life, and have received treatment for it.

I can't imagine anything lonelier than having a condition that disintegrates your personality and having the wider world consider it your fault rather than a disease that requires compassion and treatment.

Today, I'm grateful that the stigma of mental illness is easing in our society, and that victims can receive the medication, talk therapy and other forms of treatment they require to life healthy, productive lives.

2 comments:

Warner (aka ntsc) said...

My first wife suffers from a mental illness, treatable now, but not when I was with her.

We were fine, however she was literally dangerous to our child, so by mutual agreement I took the child and left.

I am so glad that there is less stigma associated and that treatment is becoming easier.

Jeri said...

Thanks, Janiece, me too... especially on the treatment easier and more effective part!