Posted by pullmarine on November 1, 2000, at 14:39:57
In reply to Re: Back at ya, posted by Miguy on November 1, 2000, at 12:09:52
> All I will say is that it's real easy to judge those who are different. It comes easy to many people to say that these conditions do not exist when they have not experienced them.
>
The question is one of epistemilogy!!! Nowhere did I say that there is no pain, and nowhere did I say that people should not take medication to alleviate their pain.> Re: illness. Ok, you pick a word. Malady. Affliction. Inconvenience. I don't care. But whatever a heart attack is, so is a panic attack. Whatever high blood pressure is, so is depression. You're right - they are symptoms. Partially due to environmental factors and partially due to biological factors. But they are very much real. If you choose not to believe this, fine. Debate with other 'healthy' people. But please don't express your views to people who need help.
>I never said pain (mental, physical, or emotional)was not real. The question is, is pain an illness. Is a badly bruised arm or a broken bone an illness. I never said, 'don't get help for your emotional problems', a broken bone, though not an illness, does require tending.
> Why is it so easy to forgive a nearsighted person for wearing glasses, or an arthritic for taking NSAIDS? These people are not accused of not dealing with their issue. Or what about a diabetic who takes insulin to make up for an inherent decifiency as contrasted with someone taking a medication to make up for a deficiency of serotonin, dopamine or norepinephrine?
>
I do not judge, I take medications myself! However, I do question the labels, and the foundations on which they are based. It's a question of epistemology and liberal enquiry.
> These drugs are not 'uppers'. If a normal healthy person takes them they will not become giddy. It will likely have no effect (except for usual side-effects).
>I never said they were uppers. I never said they didn't help. I never said don't take pills. I merely raise questions about the validity of labels and the belief that normal cycles constitute an illness.
> I used to think along the same lines you do.Your writing indicates the contrary.
> I used to think people should pull themselves up by their bootstraps and get over it.
Contrary to you, I have never taken this position!
>If our brain is so complicated that we barely understand it, then why is it so difficult to believe that it may become ill?
I do not question certain illness (alzeimers, parkinsons, terciary syphillis)
>I agree that many "mental illnesses" (use whatever word you prefer here) are used as crutches by people who could benefit by counseling, responsibility and by simply "growing up".
> The words I would choose would be 'existential crises, emotional hardship, etc.
> I don't believe people use their difficulties as excuses, I think they are very real and need to be addressed.
I'm talking about people who literally cannot get out of bed, or who find going to the market unimaginable because of their anxiety. I'm not pushing drugs, I'm pushing acceptance. Acceptance of the fact that their are hurting people who need help. It may require counseling, medication, therapy, .... who knows? (Probably not an attorney, though.)
> I fully agree with this point, but this point still does not answer the question posed!
John
poster:pullmarine
thread:47722
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20001022/msgs/47932.html