James Madison
12-16-2012, 02:20 PM
I've been mulling over my thoughts on this subject matter for a while, and I've finally decided to speak my mind.
There is a meme being put out by those in the media that we need to have a discussion about mental health in this country. Many in the public are picking up on this and advocating for increased access to counseling, psychiatrists, special programs, etc. In my opinion, this is one of the worst ideas imaginable.
I suffer from several 'mental disorders'. I have experienced withdrawl-brought on psychosis from SSRIs. And I want to speak on behalf of those in my position too afraid to buck the system.
There is no such thing as 'mental illness'
When a person tests positive for influenza virus, they have the flu. If they produce antibodies for cholera, they are harboring the bacterium Vibrio cholera. Real illness is black and white, cut and dry; shades of gray are rare, if non-existant. Mental health isn't as simple. Human behavior is a complex continuum. And any lines we draw to designate 'abnormal' from 'normal' are arbitrary. Yet, this is the basis of modern mental healthcare.
We all have behavior perceived as 'odd', but by no means does this suggest we are wrong in having them. It's simply part of who we are and our inner self. Yet, we tell those with Asperger's, OCD, et al. they are thinking incorrectly. To rectify this, we mold them to meet our own standards for behavior, rather than empowering them, playing to their strengths. Any transient success is acheived at the expense of long-term mental stability. We are told we're wrong and that we must change ourselves to meet the expectations of those around us. But we are unaware of our 'failings' until we are told by society the way we act is wrong.
I am reminded of a South Park episode where Butters is sent to 'Pray the Gay Away' counseling. The people there are miserable, not because of their own failings, but because the authority figures insist their behavior is wrong.
"I didn't know I was wrong until everybody started telling me I'm wrong."
"You're just confused."
"I wasn't confused until you kept telling me I'm confused."
This is how we treat the 'mentally ill' in this country. We tell them they're 'sick' and force them to be someone they aren't. Could you imagine forcing a 'normal' person to behave like a paranoid schizophrenic? Remember Heath Ledger? He killed himself doing just that.
Fighting Cognitive dissonance
Eventually, the real self and the imagined self come to a head. They fight for control of the person with the true self always winning-out in the end. Cognitive dissonance sets in, resulting in an uncomfortable situation. They abandon their visage, including any medication the are using. Seratonin poisoning results in psychotic state where suicidal tendencies are magnified and homicidal tendencies are given birth.
This is the MO of every mass shooter.
Society creates these people. And we have the ability to stop them if we take my advice. Stop treating people with behavioral oddities as if they are wrong and need changing. They are still human beings and have the same basic needs we all have: to live life they way they choose and without the trying to impose its will on them.
I firmly believe if the moral busy-bodies get their way, more of these shootings will happen.
There is a meme being put out by those in the media that we need to have a discussion about mental health in this country. Many in the public are picking up on this and advocating for increased access to counseling, psychiatrists, special programs, etc. In my opinion, this is one of the worst ideas imaginable.
I suffer from several 'mental disorders'. I have experienced withdrawl-brought on psychosis from SSRIs. And I want to speak on behalf of those in my position too afraid to buck the system.
There is no such thing as 'mental illness'
When a person tests positive for influenza virus, they have the flu. If they produce antibodies for cholera, they are harboring the bacterium Vibrio cholera. Real illness is black and white, cut and dry; shades of gray are rare, if non-existant. Mental health isn't as simple. Human behavior is a complex continuum. And any lines we draw to designate 'abnormal' from 'normal' are arbitrary. Yet, this is the basis of modern mental healthcare.
We all have behavior perceived as 'odd', but by no means does this suggest we are wrong in having them. It's simply part of who we are and our inner self. Yet, we tell those with Asperger's, OCD, et al. they are thinking incorrectly. To rectify this, we mold them to meet our own standards for behavior, rather than empowering them, playing to their strengths. Any transient success is acheived at the expense of long-term mental stability. We are told we're wrong and that we must change ourselves to meet the expectations of those around us. But we are unaware of our 'failings' until we are told by society the way we act is wrong.
I am reminded of a South Park episode where Butters is sent to 'Pray the Gay Away' counseling. The people there are miserable, not because of their own failings, but because the authority figures insist their behavior is wrong.
"I didn't know I was wrong until everybody started telling me I'm wrong."
"You're just confused."
"I wasn't confused until you kept telling me I'm confused."
This is how we treat the 'mentally ill' in this country. We tell them they're 'sick' and force them to be someone they aren't. Could you imagine forcing a 'normal' person to behave like a paranoid schizophrenic? Remember Heath Ledger? He killed himself doing just that.
Fighting Cognitive dissonance
Eventually, the real self and the imagined self come to a head. They fight for control of the person with the true self always winning-out in the end. Cognitive dissonance sets in, resulting in an uncomfortable situation. They abandon their visage, including any medication the are using. Seratonin poisoning results in psychotic state where suicidal tendencies are magnified and homicidal tendencies are given birth.
This is the MO of every mass shooter.
Society creates these people. And we have the ability to stop them if we take my advice. Stop treating people with behavioral oddities as if they are wrong and need changing. They are still human beings and have the same basic needs we all have: to live life they way they choose and without the trying to impose its will on them.
I firmly believe if the moral busy-bodies get their way, more of these shootings will happen.