Mental illness does not have to be a cage
- Green Eyes 36
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Re: Mental illness does not have to be a cage
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- Green Eyes 36
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- Lisalovecraft
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To Green Eyes: I bet your character finds a clever way to deal with the psychotic symptom!!
To both of you: THANK YOU!!
- Green Eyes 36
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Keep me posted! I want to find out how this romance of yours ends. It sounds promising. It's uncanny that you and I are writing in a similar style right now--my character isn't dealing with a romance, but definitely with trees and rocks. (No, I've never heard that quote! It makes sense, though.) I do have a surprise ending up my sleeve!

Thank you for the bravery comment. I like to think of myself that way.

I'm going to go off on a tangent here, since we're talking about this...
My mental illness is fairly solidified, but I don't want a cure. Being paranoid helps me to see when people may not be trustworthy. What's weird is that I used to be very naive and trusting. Then I did a complete 180. Now I realize I need to find balance, but I'd rather be here than where I was. I was pushed too hard by some bad people, and something in me changed. I found my voice. I quit being submissive and tolerant and started calling people on their evil deeds. I realize I did a 180 there too and need to find balance, but again, same thing: I'd rather be here than there. Like seriously, in high school, if someone did something wrong to me, I'd think, "Oh, well. That person probably had my best interests at heart." What I've learned through my suffering is not something I'd ever want to go back in time and undo. To me it is priceless. (Actually I want to go back in time and confront people in a way I never did then.)
Now, I think I was born with weak brain chemistry that was just waiting to break down. I was terrified of Evil Spirits for over six years before I finally came to see that there are no Evil Spirits making bad things happen to us on purpose--the darkness is in human nature. It was years before I was ready to acknowledge that, and during those long years the issue felt insurmountable. Turns out, it wasn't. I never gave up, I never quit trying, and I finally found my answers. I don't see my brain wiring as a weakness on my part. Why anyone out there does see it as a weakness is beyond me. Why the fear? Why the hate? I don't know, but some people are just shallow and not worth knowing. (As a psych major, this is still beyond my comprehension.) You make a good point GreenEyes that it's their issue if they're uncomfy with mental illness.
I think we should feel empowered because we have overcome obstacles and developed compassion, and we are strong. Mental illness is not a weakness--it is a different state of awareness. It can be used like any state of awareness to learn and grow and be amazing. It's a part of the fabulous journey of life.
I hope that didn't sound too gushy.
- Green Eyes 36
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I have dealt with the same issues. Medicine can kill creativity. Sigh. It's a constant balancing act, isn't it? I'm in a situation of moderation: I'm half-creative, half-sane, all the time. Honestly, that works pretty well for me. I accept a certain amount of paranoia in everyday life and have a certain level of creative energy. I'll keep my fingers crossed that you find a good balance too!

Hey, I have been there! HA HA. Oh yeah. If I go off my meds, just run. Run fast and far.
-- 10 Feb 2015, 00:18 --
Green Eyes, I love the avatar you added! It's gorgeous.