Mental illnesses as an Invisible disability Forum Discussion
In Support of Mental Health awareness i figured id start doing discussions on the forum for disability how this will work every 2 days ill post a new question these are usually done in group support but i wish to include those who dont like group support and or it can get too fast for you etc.
once this discussion reaches its end ill start a new topic we can choose one together theirs 63 of them :)
so lets get started shall we in 2 days time ill post the next q
lets begin with an icebreaker shall we?
Icebreaker
What was the best thing that happened to you this past week?
our next question everyone :)
Question 3 This session will focus on mental illnesses and how they are often invisible to others at first sight, no matter if they are chronic or not. What do you think makes it more difficult for others understand that you are suffering from a mental illness and how debilitating it is for you?
Taglist : @TheLifeOfKelli @richyShiny39 @IluvBiscuits @mariesd123 @Emily619 @KindSoul10 @PinkFloyd65 @caringShoulder14 remember you can answer previous questions if you choose too
@CaringBrit
Aside from mental illnesses being more invisible than physical illnesses, it may be more frustrating for someone to deal with a mental illness because of the lack of understanding. Since they're not as visible, people tend to think their brains are "messed up," or generally don't understand how mental illnesses work on the internal perspective. I think stigma has a lot to do with it as well; however, it's been getting a lot better lately as stigma has been drastically decreasing in public attitudes from my observations 
@Emily619 yes exactly emily awesome response and certainly stigma is a huge part its still fairly big in my area still but dont see it that much either which is a good thing its decreasing in areas of the world
@Emily619 that part when you wrote messed up? Exactly! Ive been told these exact words Your life is RUINED!!!! from my own Mom. Thats just one example of how people see my mental illnesses.
@TheLifeOfKelli its horrible when we get phrases like that isn't it Kelli?
@CaringBrit Yes! Its like: you are not helping my mentality..... Its extra tough having mental & physical impairments at the same time, but Im not special and being treated so? :/
@TheLifeOfKelli i understand how you feel kelli just as a side question would you like to share what those are ?
love forum discussions as easier to personalise my responses to each participant
@CaringBrit Severe Panic Disorder with Agoraphobia. Since Im on the search for a more caring Spine Specialist & currently in pain? For the physical part, only want to say Spinal Degeneration right now....because Im about to throw up from pain and just typing my mental disabilities was.....tough to put out into the world.
If ANYONE here has agoraphobia too? Please talk to me. I know you are out there battling it too.
@TheLifeOfKelli awww no that's a lot your going through Kelli
@CaringBrit In my experiences? Because they cannot understand it fully....unless they actually have it.
@TheLifeOfKelli yes certainly relate to that
@CaringBrit i think the fact that they can't see anything physically wrong or actually know how we're feeling is what makes it so hard for others to understand
@caringShoulder14 yes indeed it does they feel we are fine just because they cant see it which leads to the stigma
I usually post these after midnight so this one is a tad later than usual but it has been 2 days since the last question so its time to move on your more than welcome to reply to the previous questions above for any new participants :) in 2 days time ill post the next question great responses everyone thus far :)
question 4 :
Assuming, and maybe through your experiences of knowing a lot of people do not understand or empathize with others suffering from mental illness, and this can lead to certain changes in behaviour patterns. One of those behaviour changes is called masking, which is someone hiding the way they feel in front of others. What are some of your experiences with masking? Or if you dont suffer from a mental illness, what do you think are some of the reasons for masking?
tagging those who have participated before : @TheLifeOfKelli @richyShiny39 @IluvBiscuits @mariesd123 @Emily619 @KindSoul10 @PinkFloyd65 @caringShoulder14
@CaringBrit Another good question for this forum.
Going into auto-pilot mode even around people I am comfortable with? That is something Im still battling. Thats just a tiny example though.
@TheLifeOfKelli not familiar with uto pilot mode is this auto masking ? even when comfortable around
@CaringBrit Incredibly hard to describe. Ill try though. The best way to describe my auto pilot mode....
First, I wasnt even aware I was even doing that until I started meditating in March.
Second, never really spoke up. (slightly vague, but I know what I mean)
Third, it was almost like leaving my body, almost like I was.....robotic like.
Fourth, only way I ever actually masked it? Was during the many many years I chose alcohol to be a normal functional human being. That was the ONLY way I masked it.
@TheLifeOfKelli ah i see ty fhankyou for explaining
@CaringBrit Hesitation towards certain activities or actions, in more extreme cases secretiveness.
@PinkFloyd65 yes exactly
@CaringBrit
I think some people can "mask" to try to assimilate into "normal" (non-symptom) behavior, especially if they're unfortunately being made of or stigmatized 
@Emily619 yes that's for sure Emily I feel if I was stigmatized which I have been I too would try hide it not speak about it not trust
Next question guys its been 2 days already wow time flies, doesn't it? if any new participants more than welcome to go back to Question 1 and join in 2 :)
Question 5: What are the effects masking have on how we feel about people with myths, who are stereotypes around mental illness, or invisible illnesses in general?
Taglist of those who have participated before: @TheLifeOfKelli @richyShiny39 @IluvBiscuits @mariesd123 @Emily619 @KindSoul10 @PinkFloyd65 @caringShoulder14
seems question 5 had no participants thats fine you can still answer all the previous questions everyone :)
Question 6 :Do you think masking is an effective strategy for those with invisible illnesses to feel better rather than getting support?
tag list : @TheLifeOfKelli @richyShiny39 @IluvBiscuits @mariesd123 @Emily619 @KindSoul10 @PinkFloyd65 @caringShoulder14
@CaringBrit Sometimes it can be, but sometimes it backfires if there is an outer more serious problem than just the mental illness.
@PinkFloyd65 yes certainly floyd great response
Making a
Talking to people who are actually nice and fun to be around.
@Moosepotato123 heyy moose welcome to the discussion welcome to join in on the question
wish to answer the previous questions please do however next question
Question 7: How would you explain your mental illness to someone who does not know anything about mental illness? What would you say to explain how it makes you feel, what effect it has on you and how much it impacts your life? What would you say?
taglist : @TheLifeOfKelli @richyShiny39 @IluvBiscuits @mariesd123 @Emily619 @KindSoul10 @PinkFloyd65 @caringShoulder14
@CaringBrit oh my.... its almost impossible.
(sorry went MIA)
@TheLifeOfKelli oh no almost impossible is this due to the stigma kelli?
@CaringBrit Just a minuscule amount due to the stigma. Its MUCH more so that its INCREDIBLY frustrating to explain to people that do NOT have my disabilities.
People have tried to understand and its always a fail. Which is okay! I do NOT want the people asking me about the disabilities to actually HAVE my disabilities.
@TheLifeOfKelli ah yes very understandable that it can be more frustrating when they dont have it
I think the best way to describe mental illness to someone who is unknowing is to compare it to something that an everyday person has/can experience(d). I usually write poetry to describe feelings, especially anxiety. And the effect of it on my life I compare it to what it would be like without it.
@IluvBiscuits great way youd explain it there
Question 8: What would make you feel more comfortable talking about your mental health struggles? Or if you do not suffer from a mental illness, what do you think would make someone more comfortable opening up and actually talking about their struggles with others?
your welcome to go back and answer all the previous questions for any new or old participants we have a few more questions after this one left then ill post 5 choices after the last question and see which you guys really want to do next
taglist : @TheLifeOfKelli @richyShiny39 @IluvBiscuits @mariesd123 @Emily619 @KindSoul10 @PinkFloyd65 @caringShoulder14
@CaringBrit
I'd say having a kind ear that's non-judgemental and more than happy to listen to what's going on
@Emily619 awesome yes a kind ear and non judgemental is definetly helpful :)
@Emily619 THAT. Exactly that. Thats literally the BEST and ONLY way people can help. In my case anyways.
@TheLifeOfKelli i agree it is the best way to help
@CaringBrit
I'm usually the most comfortable talking to people I know also have some mental health struggles of their own, because they're far less likely to be judgmental and far more likely to understand. For other people, it would help if they didn't try to offer "quick fix" ideas, like "just get more Vitamin D!"
@creativeOak9590 Agreed. :)
@creativeOak9590 i agree there great response
@CaringBrit
A member made me feel so appreciated.
My time on 7Cups has been truly great!
I can finally help people without talking to anyone face-to-face
@forcefulStrawberries4435 thats awesome :) so it helped that you were appreciated :)
@forcefulStrawberries4435 that
@CasenoDeclan indeed and welcome to join in on the forum discussion too :)
@CasenoDeclan
I agree with you! ❤❤❤
