...First of all, let's not make this a thread full of people whining about their disorders. There's enough of that on the forums as it is. Let's have a calm, if possible objective discussion. (I mean no offense by this, so please dont get upset! I hate to hurt people, and if that is you reaction, I apologize sincerely.
I was watching this, and a bit into the video Fry asks, what I thought was, a very interesting question.. (the whole thing is very worthwhile your time, by all means, watch the whole thing!)
The question is, WOULD YOU PRESS A BUTTON TO GET RID OF YOUR MENTAL DISORDER?
To anyone not affected and having a hard time understanding why the hell people like me wouldnt, here are some examples:
1) LOSING THE "GOOD" PART OF IT: People with bipolar disorder or cyclothymia, like myself, suffer greatly from the depressive periods the disorder brings. As anyone bipolar can tell you, this pain is absolutely terrifying. However, the manic period are sometimes, as Fry says, something to be treasured. To a creative, "artisty" type of person, these periods are a godsend. Atleast I think so, and I treasure each and every moment of my "ups". Also, I am aware of it when I am depressed, and it helps to keep me going.
2) LOSING THE FAMILIAR: A lot of people who are recovering alcoholics suddenly start drinking like they used to, when they have almost "recovered". This is because of the fear of the unfamiliar, "sober" life. This same phenomenon applies to some people with depression that Ive spoken to. When asked this question, they would say no, because they are conciously aware of the fact that the "other" life is unimaginable to them, and is thus terrifying.
3) THESE ARE THE CARDS I'VE BEEN DEALT: "Alright, I have Bipolar Disorder. That's the way it is, and Im going to deal with it." This pretty much sums this argument up. People like this (I, for an example, am to some extent of this opinion) stand by the fact that this is the way their life is, and they're not going to change it. They "deal with it", no matter what it means.
4) MY DISORDER IS A PART OF ME: This is, to a certain extent, the same reason some people dont use beauty products. They are going to show themselves the way they are, and be proud of it. If they could be something else, it would feel like they were living a lie. (This is, for an example, the reason I stopped taking medication. It felt silly, somehow.)
So what are the Escapists thoughts on the matter? Would you press the button?
(If you personally have no experience with (major) mental disorders, dont hesitate to give your point of view.)
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EDIT: This was a very interesting read, thank you for all your answers as of now. But I do agree with a point some people have made, more specifically about people diagnosing themselves with Aspbergers. Dont just go about saying it. Now sure, some people here might actually have aspbergers, but it really seems highly unlikely that so many have, considering how rare a disorder it is. If youre shy, youre shy. Shyness does not equal Aspbergers.
I feel like an idiot and an asshole for saying this, but I really mean it. Same goes for other disorders. And if you really have been diagnosed with something, this is not aimed at you. But to anyone else who is self-diagnosed: Think twice. (I mean not to offend anyone with this.)
It is good to remember that anyone fits into pretty much any description of a mental disorder. Personally I could techically have Schizoid, Paranoid, and Split Personality Disorder. But I DONT. We all fit into most of them. People might look up the symptoms for schizophrenia and say "Hey, Im like that!", but youre not alone! Pretty much all of us recognize ourselves in the symptoms of different disorders. But it is a very thin line between being and not being. For an example, it does seem highly unlikely to me that someone with schizophrenia finds out by looking up different illnesses on the internet. Most of the people with actual disorders hide it, or are unaware of it: They know of nothing else. Again, I mean not to offend anyone with this.
Another interesting point that came up was that "ill" people do not want to get rid of their illnesses, simply because they are ill. This is a theory I have thought a lot about, and has brought me great pain. (During my depressive periods) Who is to say who is sane? And seeing how truth is such a vague concept, who can say that I am incorrect to fear a life without cyclothymia? This viewpoint pains me, because I can never be sure that I am sane in my thoughts, seeing as how the idea of "illness" and insanity have been printed into my mind for all my life, just as it has been with everyone else.
The uncertainty is one of the worst parts about my illness. But I think it also is a sign that I am not sick beyond all hope, since I am aware of it.
But who knows, right?
I was watching this, and a bit into the video Fry asks, what I thought was, a very interesting question.. (the whole thing is very worthwhile your time, by all means, watch the whole thing!)
The question is, WOULD YOU PRESS A BUTTON TO GET RID OF YOUR MENTAL DISORDER?
To anyone not affected and having a hard time understanding why the hell people like me wouldnt, here are some examples:
1) LOSING THE "GOOD" PART OF IT: People with bipolar disorder or cyclothymia, like myself, suffer greatly from the depressive periods the disorder brings. As anyone bipolar can tell you, this pain is absolutely terrifying. However, the manic period are sometimes, as Fry says, something to be treasured. To a creative, "artisty" type of person, these periods are a godsend. Atleast I think so, and I treasure each and every moment of my "ups". Also, I am aware of it when I am depressed, and it helps to keep me going.
2) LOSING THE FAMILIAR: A lot of people who are recovering alcoholics suddenly start drinking like they used to, when they have almost "recovered". This is because of the fear of the unfamiliar, "sober" life. This same phenomenon applies to some people with depression that Ive spoken to. When asked this question, they would say no, because they are conciously aware of the fact that the "other" life is unimaginable to them, and is thus terrifying.
3) THESE ARE THE CARDS I'VE BEEN DEALT: "Alright, I have Bipolar Disorder. That's the way it is, and Im going to deal with it." This pretty much sums this argument up. People like this (I, for an example, am to some extent of this opinion) stand by the fact that this is the way their life is, and they're not going to change it. They "deal with it", no matter what it means.
4) MY DISORDER IS A PART OF ME: This is, to a certain extent, the same reason some people dont use beauty products. They are going to show themselves the way they are, and be proud of it. If they could be something else, it would feel like they were living a lie. (This is, for an example, the reason I stopped taking medication. It felt silly, somehow.)
So what are the Escapists thoughts on the matter? Would you press the button?
(If you personally have no experience with (major) mental disorders, dont hesitate to give your point of view.)
--------------------------
EDIT: This was a very interesting read, thank you for all your answers as of now. But I do agree with a point some people have made, more specifically about people diagnosing themselves with Aspbergers. Dont just go about saying it. Now sure, some people here might actually have aspbergers, but it really seems highly unlikely that so many have, considering how rare a disorder it is. If youre shy, youre shy. Shyness does not equal Aspbergers.
I feel like an idiot and an asshole for saying this, but I really mean it. Same goes for other disorders. And if you really have been diagnosed with something, this is not aimed at you. But to anyone else who is self-diagnosed: Think twice. (I mean not to offend anyone with this.)
It is good to remember that anyone fits into pretty much any description of a mental disorder. Personally I could techically have Schizoid, Paranoid, and Split Personality Disorder. But I DONT. We all fit into most of them. People might look up the symptoms for schizophrenia and say "Hey, Im like that!", but youre not alone! Pretty much all of us recognize ourselves in the symptoms of different disorders. But it is a very thin line between being and not being. For an example, it does seem highly unlikely to me that someone with schizophrenia finds out by looking up different illnesses on the internet. Most of the people with actual disorders hide it, or are unaware of it: They know of nothing else. Again, I mean not to offend anyone with this.
Another interesting point that came up was that "ill" people do not want to get rid of their illnesses, simply because they are ill. This is a theory I have thought a lot about, and has brought me great pain. (During my depressive periods) Who is to say who is sane? And seeing how truth is such a vague concept, who can say that I am incorrect to fear a life without cyclothymia? This viewpoint pains me, because I can never be sure that I am sane in my thoughts, seeing as how the idea of "illness" and insanity have been printed into my mind for all my life, just as it has been with everyone else.
The uncertainty is one of the worst parts about my illness. But I think it also is a sign that I am not sick beyond all hope, since I am aware of it.
But who knows, right?