Is mental illness becoming an excuse for us?

IndEEd This is the question of the HouR----> I believe so, everyone needs an excuse for everything that they do NoT want to take responsibility for. Bipolar is one of the mental illnesses that has excuse written all over it, well that's to me.

Perhaps the better question is, why are mental disorders on the rise. Understand that this is not an American anomaly, it is world wide. Side affects of a lot of things perhaps.

Air polution, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, contaminated water. Obesity is on the rise, diabetes is almost epidemic and a host of other diseases. I don't know why, but I do know it is happening, Is it our food supply?

Perhaps, but if all these things are happening to our bodies, why do we think it isn't happening to our minds?

We still have to deal with life, just like everyone else, in spite of a mental illness. It's not something you need to be ashamed of like it used to be, maybe that's why you are noticing mental disorders on the rise. Almost every mental illness is treatable, or at least manageable.

The problem is when someone with a mental illness refuses to get help for it, saying, "I don't believe in therapy and I don't believe in pills" To me, that attitude is a cop-out.

I think that it is for some, while others do have a genuine problem that needs help. Unfortunately, most mental illnesses are severely over-diagnosed, and many who have the diagnosis choose to use it as an excuse. Too many mental health professionals are too quick to slap a diagnosis and a prescription on somebody, when a lot of times all they really need is to reduce their stress and expectations to a reasonable level.

No. If I don't have my meds or they need to be adjusted, I am unable to always control my behavior. I don't use that as an excuse, only an explanation.

I know that I AM RESPONSIBLE for getting treatment. If I fail to do so, I am responsible. If I am unable to do so (like an 8 month waiting list and lack of money), I shouldn't be COMPLETELY accountable for behavior specifically related to my condition.

Autism, asperger's, ADD, depression, etc are talked about non stop in this day and age. I think it contributes to the epidemic - literally.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.