Stacy.
At 06:58 PM 11/21/2002 +0000, you wrote:
My regular diatribe on this question-- Those of us who now need or have needed psychotrophic drugs for personal maintenance face serious enough challenges in life, without having to contend with unqualified people who presume to know all about our illnesses and afflictions. And sadly, there is no end to the stigma attached to any manifestation of mental illness. In spite of all the talk denying that such unfair discrimination exists, anyone who has been there has probably found himself more tightly restrained than by any strong guys in white coats, strait jackets, or padded rooms.When we need drugs to sustain our lives, a chemical that restores balance to the physical function of the brain is not different from the insulin that allows a diabetic to supplement the insufficient function of his pancreas. There are any number of additional parallels. Yet sufferers from mental illness are still a special class of people in our society, reserved for generally unwarranted special treatment, and generally unfavorable discrimination. Please never attempt to discourage anyone from taking the drugs that are in the current array of defenses against mental illness. Many of these drugs have unpleasant side effects that we would just as soon not have to deal with. Even more important, we inflict the shame of stigma upon our own selves, and taking medicine for such an illness seems like admitting to yourself that you're something less than an worthy person. Yet these drugs might well help some of us make something hopeful and worthwhile from a life that would otherwise languish and be wasted in despair. If you need such drugs, don't let anyone discourage you from taking them as directed by your doctor. Always remember to take your pills on schedule. Remember too that we are not alone in bearing such burdens, and don't be discouraged by the idle talk of people that don't understand your problems. We do what we must to survive, and face another day. To endure to the end is our mission. Even if it takes a few pills to help us get by. --- Mij Ebaboc ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// /// ZION LIST CHARTER: Please read it at /// /// http://www.zionsbest.com/charter.html /// ///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// --- Incoming mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.399 / Virus Database: 226 - Release Date: 10/09/2002
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