Knowing Mental Illness: Learning about the struggle of others

Once you know and understand about bipolar disorder, it's a good idea to learn about other forms of mental illness. I used to think schizophrenia meant split personality. I was as ignorant as most "normal" people. I have recently learned about many other illnesses, about their problems, about their struggle with mental illness. Why know anything? We have some symptoms in common. Where there is nothing the same, we all battle against stigma.

When I first started going to public mental illness clinics, I wanted to think I was different from the people who were there. I wanted to think I wasn't as sick as they are. The truth is, I am sick. My illness may not be as hard to cope with as others are. I may not have to take the same medication or be as heavily medicated, but all of us have an illness. Most of us are poor. We all are alike.

I have a neighbor who has schizophrenia. He is one of the kindest people I have ever met. Most mornings he smiles and waves at me from his fire escape to mine. Some days he is too heavily medicated to smile and wave. I worry about him. I miss his smile. I started to learn about schizophrenia so I could understand about his problems. I don't feel sorry for him. Almost no one wants that. I admire his bravery. I am glad he has so many friends. He loves my cat. He is fascinated by my grandchildren. Sometimes he helps me with my groceries. We don't really talk to each other. It is enough to smile and wave.

I always talk to the people who go outside to smoke. We have something in common there and smokers are always friendly. I compliment them when I can about something. I empathize when they tell me they are having a bad day. I try to cheer them up. It is so important for all of us to stick together as much as we can. I don't have any friends who are mentally ill, but I would if we had enough common interests. I don't have much patience with people who always want to cry on my shoulder. I like people who try and do the best they can considering.

Find out where your prejudice and ignorance is. Again, the best place to go is NAMI. If you have time to read this, you have time for that.