Discussion If everyone had a mental illness, I think the world would be more empathetic and understanding

[SpiderLink]

What's your take on this?
It's so hard to explain to people that don't deal with what I have to, and if everyone had one, it would be more socially acceptable, less stigma and people might be more empathetic and understanding.

 

[AerialBoundaries]

If we had more empathy, the, the world would be in such a better place.

 

[SpiderLink]

If we had more empathy, the, the world would be in such a better place.

Agreed

 

[SoftWorries]

It's been your experience that most people with mental illnesses are empathetic and understanding?

I think it's a mixed bag. The people who have caused the most damage in my life have all been mentally ill or had addictions.

I think that some of the most empathetic people are those who have lived through a lot of hardship but it's been far from my rule in my experience.

 

[endofafoxtwo]

It's been your experience that most people with mental illnesses are empathetic and understanding?

I think it's a mixed bag. The people who have caused the most damage in my life have all been mentally ill or had addictions.

I think that some of the most empathetic people are those who have lived through a lot of hardship but it's been far from my rule in my experience.

Agree. Generally those who have suffered horribly are better people, but that's only the ones who don't become evil. Hardship is the Razor's Edge.

 

[FuneralGrey]

I don't necessarily know if it would be better if everyone had mental illness, because everyone still experiences it so differently.

But I was just reflecting on how novel some of this stuff is to people. I was just chatting with someone who knows a bit of my history about all the IC stuff/police visit/etc., and she couldn't wrap her head around the fact that I would hold on to the SN if I don't have a plan to ctb. She just couldn't get it. It was so weird to me, I forgot in a way that this is abnormal... but I thought it was reasonable to just want to have "insurance" in a way. And she couldn't understand at all.

 

[SpiderLink]

It's been your experience that most people with mental illnesses are empathetic and understanding?

I think it's a mixed bag. The people who have caused the most damage in my life have all been mentally ill or had addictions.

I think that some of the most empathetic people are those who have lived through a lot of hardship but it's been far from my rule in my experience.

It's better than being alone struggling with something no one understands/lh

It's better than being alone struggling with something no one understands/lh

But even if they've hurt people, u can still empathize with them.

 

[AnonymousS]

What's your take on this?
It's so hard to explain to people that don't deal with what I have to, and if everyone had one, it would be more socially acceptable, less stigma and people might be more empathetic and understanding.

Yes i think you're probably right, if you go through hell on a daily basis, even if you recover from that episode you don't forget it. It leaves a lasting imprint on your brain and psyche, i think sometimes people just have to experience things. Having said that i do think people should at least be open minded, and more empathic anyway.

 

[deltap]

I think there's higher rates of mental illness than people might think. Just most don't realize, due to normalization of behaviors, lack of introspection and/or self awareness, along with 'successfully' coping and not falling off the bandwagon there (i.e. overworking, drinking, many other forms of escapism)

Empathy, compassion, kindness only come from someone with introspection and self awareness (imo). Something that develops once you've come to face your problems and the emotions/difficulties that come with it. Most people end up perpetually running from them, never having to deal with them face-on.

Just unfortunately, for some of us, we get knocked off the bandwagon and get overwhelmed with the weight of it falling on top of us, in addition to our problems catching us all the meanwhile. It's there, where we have to face our problems head-on, with the weight of life bearing down on us, where we are most vulnerable, that we develop a sense of empathy and realize the importance of human kindness and compassion.

 

[loopdaloop]

Quite the opposite, because mental illness like depression if not treated properly can cause the person to be detached and sometimes even shut down cognitive processing, lacking the mental energy to be empathetic toward others. It can even be argued that mental illness creates the most callous people of all, with personality disorders such as NPD (Narcissism) , Anti - Personality Disorder (Psychopathy) etc. Trauma and bad life events can make or break a person. I actually think that people who are mentally well are more empathetic than those who are unwell but of course they can't relate to each other.

 

[SpiderLink]

Yes i think you're probably right, if you go through hell on a daily basis, even if you recover from that episode you don't forget it. It leaves a lasting imprint on your brain and psyche, i think sometimes people just have to experience things. Having said that i do think people should at least be open minded, and more empathic anyway.

Agreed 100%

 

[unnormal9]

Tch, the whole world does have mental illness, all in varying forms. It's still the same and would not be better. Illness is not goodness and a lot would repress it so, and still be the same ever more.

 

[SpiderLink]

Tch, the whole world does have mental illness, all in varying forms. It's still the same and would not be better. Illness is not goodness and a lot would repress it so, and still be the same ever more.

U can say that, we r all fucked up lol. But that doesn't mean everyone has a mental illness. Everyone has mental health, mental health and mental illness r 2 different things.

 

[AnonymousS]

Quite the opposite, because mental illness like depression if not treated properly can cause the person to be detached and sometimes even shut down cognitive processing, lacking the mental energy to be empathetic toward others. It can even be argued that mental illness creates the most callous people of all, with personality disorders such as NPD (Narcissism) , Anti - Personality Disorder (Psychopathy) etc. Trauma and bad life events can make or break a person. I actually think that people who are mentally well are more empathetic than those who are unwell but of course they can't relate to each oth

Quite the opposite, because mental illness like depression if not treated properly can cause the person to be detached and sometimes even shut down cognitive processing, lacking the mental energy to be empathetic toward others. It can even be argued that mental illness creates the most callous people of all, with personality disorders such as NPD (Narcissism) , Anti - Personality Disorder (Psychopathy) etc. Trauma and bad life events can make or break a person. I actually think that people who are mentally well are more empathetic than those who are unwell but of course they can't relate to each other.

Mental illness doesn't create psychopathy and narcissism. A lot of people with psychopathy have experienced no trauma or negative life events. It's also untreatable.

 

[SpiderLink]

Mental illness doesn't create psychopathy and narcissism. A lot of people with psychopathy have experienced no trauma or negative life events. It's also untreatable.

Yeah, I find people that are struggling mentally are the most understanding people I know, because they know what pain is, they know how hard life truly gets. I've been struggling for over 3 years, badly. I feel I've seen the world for a whole other perspective, I can understand things that no one else can. Through out my life, I've always been kind, but due to my mental illnesses, I'm more empathy than I ever was.

 

[unnormal9]

U can say that, we r all fucked up lol. But that doesn't mean everyone has a mental illness. Everyone has mental health, mental health and mental illness r 2 different things.

Bullshit. You just don't see it because everyone walks with the Veil of Facade, others repression, thus you can't and oft will never see it.

 

[AnonymousS]

Yeah, I find people that are struggling mentally are the most understanding people I know, because they know what pain is, they know how hard life truly gets. I've been struggling for over 3 years, badly. I feel I've seen the world for a whole other perspective, I can understand things that no one else can. Through out my life, I've always been kind, but due to my mental illnesses, I'm more empathy than I ever was.

Yes i think that is true in many cases, in case of psychopathy people unfortunately are born with brains different to most people. Even at ages as young as 8-12 years old, some children show a disturbing lack of empathy or remorse. With mental illnesses they can usually at least be treated, i know treatments are pretty poor. However compared to 40-50 years ago, it is some improvement. It's still nowhere near enough though, most countries see mental health care as an afterthought sadly.

 

[SpiderLink]

Bullshit. You just don't see it because everyone walks with the Veil of Facade, others repression, thus you can't and oft will never see it.

What are u referring to exactly?

Yes i think that is true in many cases, in case of psychopathy people unfortunately are born with brains different to most people. Even at ages as young as 8-12 years old, some children show a disturbing lack of empathy or remorse. With mental illnesses they can usually at least be treated, i know treatments are pretty poor. However compared to 40-50 years ago, it is some improvement. It's still nowhere near enough though, most countries see mental health care as an afterthought sadly.

Yeah

 

[unnormal9]

What are u referring to exactly?

Mental illness. There goes those last two brain cells.

 

[SpiderLink]

Mental illness. There goes those last two brain cells.

Ah ok, but what does that have to do with empathy tho?/lighthearted(Sorry just having a hard time understanding)

 

[unnormal9]

Ah ok, but what does that have to do with empathy tho?/lighthearted(Sorry just having a hard time understanding)

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Illness is not goodness and a lot would repress it so, and still be the same ever more.

Stigmatized.