Someone told me that he/she was afraid of me because I am (100% s/c) mentally ill. Are you afraid of mentally ill people?

SPC Margaret Higgins — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 05:58:14 -0400

LTC Stephen Ford, MAJ David Vermillion, SGT Keith Bodine

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made Aug 24 at 2015 6:11 AM

CPO Joseph Grant — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 06:11:02 -0400

Don't take this as a flip answer because it's not. If you hear voices telling you to kill people then, yes, you'd worry me. If it's depression, PTSD, Bi-Polar or what have you then no I wouldn't. Me, I'm 100% for PTSD. I stopped telling people why I'm disabled because most expected me to climb a bell tower and start shooting. Is that what you're dealing with?

Response by PVT Robert Gresham made Aug 24 at 2015 6:38 AM

PVT Robert Gresham — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 06:38:04 -0400

SPC Margaret Higgins After reading your comments to CPO Joseph Grant, I do understand your situation. I too take a meds to keep me balanced on a daily basis. No. I am NOT afraid of you !!

I have to ask you though, are your meds working? Are you feeling more or less stable? These are the most important questions in getting people to accept you. If you are NOT feeling stable then you will reflect that in your dealings with others.

If you feel that you cannot function on a day-to-day basis, you may need to speak to your VA provider about a change in medication, just as I did. It took me over three years of experimenting with different types of medications before I was able to even go out of the house.

Lastly, if you ever just want to talk, about your situation, meds, or just the weather, I would be happy to try to help you in any way I can. If I can't help I will do my best to steer you in the right direction !!

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 24 at 2015 6:45 AM

SSgt Terry P. — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 06:45:01 -0400

SPC Margaret Higgins Don't sweat what a bunch of idiots think, CPO Joseph Grant is right.

Response by SGT Mark Stevens made Aug 24 at 2015 10:33 AM

SGT Mark Stevens — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 10:33:19 -0400

Don't let someone else's mental health problem (Psychophobia – fear/dislike of mental illness or the mentally ill) affect you. We all have problems, some of us are just better at living and working with our issues then others.

Response by CPL Dean Thomas made Aug 24 at 2015 12:56 PM

CPL Dean Thomas — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 12:56:07 -0400

No because we all are a Lil mentally ill in some shape or form just some deal with it better than others it's just you need to learn yourself :)

Response by CPL Dean Thomas made Aug 24 at 2015 1:06 PM

CPL Dean Thomas — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 13:06:58 -0400

Well I can feel their pain ya have PTSD then ya have a screwed up system you have to Waite years for approval on a claim by the time they ok the claim your broke divorced lost your kids your homeless can't afford nothing so begging and your a proud veteran begging is not an option we like to do so yeah a lot of them probably think that's the way out but all it does is gives them an escape while hurting others and that shouldn't be an option as a veteran either so damned if we do damned if we don't type of issue here

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 24 at 2015 3:46 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Mon, 24 Aug 2015 15:46:54 -0400

I actually don't feel any different than a 'normal' person. I lead a 'normal' life. I engage in 'normal' activities. I have 'normal' friends. And I am in a relationship with a doctor- who has to be 'normal'.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2015 10:32 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 02 Sep 2015 22:32:14 -0400

I would by extremely cautious with using terms like "mentally ill." I wouldn't consider conditions like PTS or some other conditions that are by products of services to be anything in this category. I could see why one would say they are afraid of person that claims they are mentally ill. I have dealt with those that are mentally ill when I was a cop. They are incapable of leading a normal life and can be potential dangerous. One of the worst cases I seen was a Vietnam Vet. He pulled a knife and was trying to fight people. He thought he was in Vietnam still. I got to sit with him until he was evaluated due to his capacity for violence. There was no reasoning with him. He was too far gone. A person like him I could see why one would be afraid. But to claim such a mental illness in open conversation can be damaging to the veteran community. I have dealt with my issues. Few even know what I have dealt with and what my issues have developed into. It is not for trying to hide it but I have no need to inform everyone that I have suffered from such challenges. As I said I would be very cautious. If I were a police officer still and someone told me they are mentally ill I am going to assume the worst.