What is up with kids these days? Normally, I would be the one who is advocating for stopping and before we ask that question we ask, “What is up with parents these days?” However, in this case, let’s ask them both. Survey says…
Number one answer on the board… they have lost their minds. Yep, that is all that can be said. In a study published a couple years ago, 34% of teens admitted to FAKING having a mental illness because it was cool or they wanted attention. WHAT? In April of this year, Forbes released an article that shared 70% (7 out of 10) millennials feel comfortable publicly sharing their “mental illness” and “rehab” stories. They think is (this is a quote) “cool to share those experiences” and many “think their lives should be a movie.” Unreal. So if 34% of the teens who were faking grew into the 70% of millennials sharing their “movie worthy” story they were publicly sharing – uh, you do the math.
For folks who do not know, Bi-polar disorder is one of the rarer psychiatric disorders one can have (so if you are on the market for choosing a mental illness to fake, you might want to choose another one.) It affects less than 1% of the population. Major depressive disorder, on the other hand, affects closer to 20% of the population. (facts from the NIMH 2015) There is a litany of mental illnesses on the board. Some sound rather “cool” when you read about them. Let’s be honest for a minute. In an age where information is at our fingertips, easily accessible, every where we turn around, there is no wonder folks – teens, millennials, middle aged folks, elderly – are diagnosing themselves. Cut your finger? Let’s look it up on the internet. Enter your symptoms. Oh my! It’s terminal. Amputate at the neck.
I do not get it. It has been my experience that not everyone is so welcoming when it comes to me being bi-polar. Maybe it is because I am not a teenager or a millennial. I have long gray hair. Is it discrimination? Maybe a study should be launched as to society’s acceptance of young people with mental illness vs. us old folks. What? It’s true. Is it because young people think it is cool, post it all over social media, wear it like a badge of honor and as stated above, admittedly, fake it – so folks and medical professionals know they really don’t suffer as bad as us old folks? Then that leads to a whole new set of issues – the ones who really do suffer, it becomes a contest with them (I’m worse than you are…) It is sad.
I do not always help my case. Articles from the NIMH (oh, in case you do not know what that stands for it is National Institute of Mental Health) vary depending on which one you read; however, it is clear that the verdict is out on the link between intelligence and bi-polar illness. I have found a clear link; however, to doctors’ stupidity and treating bi-polar patients. This is where the filter over my mouth would really come in handy. What are the top things most doctors (non-psychiatric doctors) think when treating a bi-polar patient? Survey says…
In my experience – can’t speak for everyone but I can speak for myself. And I guess here is where I need to put a disclaimer. Maybe I have just run into the “cream” of the crop in doctors but I have to be honest and say – nope. I think these are representative for A LOT of them. Go to the emergency room for an issue, doctor finds out you are bi-polar, the #2 thing doctors think – we are stupid. Nothing burns my britches more! Not only do they think I am stupid, but they have to be condescending. Here is a tip, docs – depending on my mood, that will only serve to backfire. If I am in the ER, I am there for a reason and it is probably because I feel bad. You talking to me like I am a 2 year old is going to make it worse. ‘So, Ms. Carrie. You feel bad?” “Nope. Cable TV is down and I wanted to see Real Life ER up close and personal.” Duh!
#1 thing doctors think – we are drug seeking. Really? They seem to forget that we are medicated already.(9 out of 10 times that is how they figured out we were bi-polar in the first place because we didn’t put it on the forms otherwise) We are also aware that every drug on the planet interacts with the drugs we are taking. Shoot. If we want a “drug” effect all we have to do is have a glass of wine. This was said to me, ‘Now that I know you are not drug seeking, I can treat the pain in your foot.’ I am so glad you can do your job, doc. Look, I am no rocket scientist but if I were ‘drug seeking’ I think I could come up with a better story than a hurt foot, you moron. I think doctors forget or maybe they just do not know, that in being bi-polar, our life is like a wild drug so why do we want to bring more to the party? I am a patient. I came for a reason. Do your job. Know that if you can be difficult, I can, not only be difficult, I can be all sorts of, hmmmm, let’s just say, do your damn job.
Where are we at – people who fake mental illness, doctors who don’t know how to treat patients… that is a lot. Listen. I am not making light of the fact that teens or millennials suffer from mental illness. What I am saying is they need a reality check. It isn’t a competition. Life is hard enough without trying to accumulate badges for an illness. The goal is to be free from infirmities not try to find one. Doctors – you guys need to learn bedside manner. You can’t blame THAT on the insurance companies. You have to phony up and claim that one yourself. Has med school adopted public school’s “No Child Left Behind” and made it “No Doctor Left Behind” and you guys just breeze thru certain classes or forgot them all together? Well, stop! Take Psy 101 & 102 if you need to. Even Dr. House (from the TV show) had common sense. Learn the basics.
I am in no way diminishing ANYONE with any mental health diagnosis. Do not mince my words nor twist them into something they are not. I am merely pointing out thinking it is “cool” or a “fad” or something to add to your resume is not a valid reason or excuse for anything. I am also pointing out that at some point in your life, regardless of who you are, you will undoubtedly, experience symptoms of a mental illness. “For everything there is a season… ” Do not confuse a period of your life with living with a chronic illness. And when it comes to doctors, shop around for a good primary care physician. Do not settle for some doc in a box. You can’t help what you get in moments of emergency. You can; however, stop the doctor. Explain your expectations and if they cannot deliver, ask for another doctor. If one is not available, deal with it then make sure after you leave, you let the administration know of your experience. If that doesn’t work, there are other avenues. Regardless of who you are, you deserve quality medical care without discrimination.
It is my prayer that we learn not to compare ourselves to others (2 Corinthians 10:12 “For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.) I pray we do not forget, we are made by God (Psalm 139:13-14 “For you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, Marvelous are Your works and that my soul knows well.” We are the way we are by design! We do not need to pretend to be something else nor do we need to be be ashamed. By the same token, what are we to define our identity in? “For you are all sons of God through Christ Jesus.” – Galatians 3:26. if you read further, verse 28 reads, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” There is neither bi-polar or normal brain – you are all ONE in Christ Jesus.
In the Bible, Luke is one of 4 main gospels. Some may mistake Luke as one of the 12 disciples. Nope. Luke was a disciple of Paul. In fact, it is believed that Luke was a gentile. (get out of town!) Know what else makes Luke special? He was a highly educated man. In fact, he was… a physician! That’s right! A doctor. Doctors: take note. You can learn a lot from Luke. But if you learn nothing else – learn these two things: humility and ministering (or in the medical world “doctor to”) the whole person. Just because you have the “Dr.” in front of your name doesn’t make you better than your patients. They are people – just like you. Luke stayed loyal to Paul until the very end. In fact, by some accounts, he was one of the only ones who did. How many doctors today, shoot how many people today, are loyal? Survey says…
Look in the mirror.
Until next time my friends.
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