50SHADESofGREG aka fuBARTNDER's blog: "Juicy Subjects O:) _____________ (Warped Halo)"

"Novemburrrr" 3, 2006 (check out this vid) "G & R's - November Rain" It's my song of the month!

"Mental health" - (and you thought I was NUTS before) -

from a "madman" to all of: "CherryTAP" readers of a madman's blog. (I wonder if that "TAP" thing has anything to do with my sanity?) *scratches head* Mental health is a disorder that many people are in the dark about. Although in resent years, it's come from the shadows. Thanks to a better studies of the debilitating condition from the medical world and more media exposure ... and yes, even a few drug companies advertising campaign. The general publics views and understandings have made easily misunderstood and often overlooked disease at least acknowledgeable in terms. (or in terminology) A view that's still undesirable and shunned by many, but has come a long way in a short amount of years. There is a stigma that scares many people, if they hear: "That so-and-so is mentally ill" they get an uneasy feeling about the person. But, they wouldn't feel as strange if the same person was referred to as "Depressed." So, the public understands "Depression" much better than the stigma attached to "mentally ill." Depression - is easily understood, being it's the number one most diagnosed mental disorder. Seven of ten adults have suffered that form of the illness. Over 90% of adults have known someone that has had depression. So, it's a common form of mental illness. It's also overlooked, misdiagnosed, and wrongly prescribed medication. It also kills more people a year than 10 years of homicide combined. The wrong meds can cause suicidal tendency, to misdiagnose one mental illness as depression happen more often than you think. This is often the reason that wrong drugs are prescribed. Which in fact can lead to psychotic episodes ... which IS why the disease has such a bad stigma attached to it. There are doctors out in this world that still believe in the theories from the years while in medical school, In fact they do update medical procedures/practices often. With mental health, it's not in their field, so advances and new studies unknown to the local MD. Sadly, in many cases the doctor will prescribe drugs for depression and tell the patient to follow up with a visit to a mental health care doctor. The person may elect not to go, due to financial, insurance or from the stigma that's attached to going to see "a shrink". (sad) With the terms of mental health getting out there for the masses. People are not as scared of mental disorders. With a couple of well done commercials ... there is a better understanding of "chemical imbalance" and other terms that have made their way into mainstream topics. The movies and television have contributed to a better understanding and acceptance as well. You probably know someone who is mentally ill, but not even know it. That's also one of the bad things about this sickness. Is it's not noticed by the human eye from a distance, so you often would find out when someone is within space and beyond your comfort level. Physical disorders fall into a 'sight' category, (you can SEE it) You know while approaching someone with a physical disorder, that in fact they have one. Your comfort level and acceptance (or nonacceptance for the uncomfortable) is ready to react or act in accordance. A sad fact - but you are not surprised because you can SEE that there is a disorder. With mental disorders, it's more surprising, because the obvious abnormality isn't visible to the naked eye. The eyes ease us into an uncomfortable situation, by preparing the mind on how to act (not to act) or react. So without a fair warning from our eyes, we might have people within our "space" of comfort before it is obvious that this person has mental issues. That scares you (or -people- I should say) It is because of that 'stigma' that's years of misinformation about mental disorders, like let's say: paranoid schizophrenia - You may immediately think multiple personalties ... and its not that at all. The layman's definition: schizophrenia characterized especially by persecutory or grandiose delusions or hallucinations or by delusional jealousy. So - if you think of a person that has schizophrenia it might have you a bit edgy and tense. With the illness being more and more exposed, the masses are coming to terms with acceptance ... Although be it at "ARMS LENGTH" It is at least known by some that it's a little more common and defiantly not AS dangerous as thought. (more nuts) I'm happy to see the public having a better understanding, and for once I can say TV, Movies and even Commercials have had a positive effect. I often use my ailments as a way to describe a feeling or mood. (my manic side, I'm all OCD about it ... etc) I would never be able to do that if you didn't understand the terminology. Now if I could only find an entertaining way to explain the disorder ... With that I'll segue to: MY

Make Up My Mind (click above to answer @ my current MUMM)

Is mental health portrayed badly in the media

Yes (it could be addressed without all the stigma) -or- No (not as bad, it's more inform today than years ago)

Just what do you think of when you hear the word "NUTS"

(click above to see my controversial x X x STASH)