a couple of things...

[blueraven95]

first, a huge hugs to whoever gave me hearts - I really appreciate them and I know they came from people here.


secondly, just in case you are interested, here's an update on what has been going on, but I warn you now, it's long.

[sandnsea]

1. I saw that earlier

I have family members with various mental health issues. It isn't easy and there really isn't a heckuva lot to say. Every situation is completely different. It's amazing that there can be so many billions of people on the planet, and yet no two are exactly the same. NAMI is a great organization, or at least were helpful to me with my step-son. If you haven't contacted them, it might be worthwhile. :hug:

[JeffR]

2. Nice to see you back

I can't imagine what you and your family and have gone through. Your post in GD was gut-wrenching, but your points are well-taken and undeniably accurate. I'm ashamed as an American how backward we are as a nation, in countless ways.

Wishing your sister the best - fighting these demons must be a constant struggle. Stay strong, all of you.

[regnaD kciN]

3. I hadn't seen that earlier post until now...

It's awful that you all have had to go through that, but at least I'm glad your sister is back in school. :hug:

And you're right about our "societal" diagnosis. As I've grown older, I've seen more and more cases where it's clear that someone's behavior is being caused by mental illness. In previous years, I might not have seen that, and simply written off that person as a "jerk" (or some other, stronger term), but now I can see that their behavior is more and more like that of others I've known who have suffered from diagnosed mental problems. At times, I've found myself wondering why I didn't see it before, since the evidence now is so clear to me.

Sadly, lots of other people haven't reached that point yet, and are still to eager to view other people's conditions as "character problems" for which they bear the blame. I hope we can get past that point some day, but I think a lot of it has to do with our human tendency (bolstered, unfortunately, by the capitalistic society we live in) to always be living in a state of competition, and thus have a vested psychic interest in putting other people down so that we can view ourselves as being better than them.

At any rate, I hope things continue on the upward course for your family, and that you'll be back here soon. (After all, I'm going to need you for the next Seasonal Contest! ;-) )

[Mz Pip]

4. Hugs to you

I have some inkling of what you've been through as my sister-in-law has been giving us all a lot of grief for the past 30+ years. I can only hope that your family will be able to find good and accurate treatment for your sister while she is young and that she will follow through with it.

I don't know what more to say. I wish you and your family all the best and hope your sister can heal her demons. :hug:

Mz Pip
:dem:

[blueraven95]

5. thanks guys, for your good wishes

one of the things I really can't get over is how lucky we actually are. Some of those families with kids in the hospital were in much, much worse places than we are, because of the poor care available. It's also been astonishing to me how many people have come out of the woodwork to share their stories. It makes me very hopeful that if people banded together, we might be able to force change. Before this all started, I never really gave this type of illness much thought - I knew it was out there (and even that other people in my family were dealing with depression) but it didn't seem to be everywhere. Now it seems to be all around.


I'm sad that I have to sit out the monthly contest - I had such a kicking idea for "water's edge" and I just haven't had the chance to pull it off. :-(


:grouphug: