Talking about Mental Illness

Is it getting any easier to talk about mental illness?

It's getting easier to talk about depression.  Last month, when Julie was depressed, it was possible to mention this without worrying too much how it would be received.  In general people were quite sympathetic and didn't shy away from the subject.  I heard quite a lot of other people's stories about themselves or family members or friends who had been depressed, sometimes to the point of having to go into hospital, as Julie had done.

It isn't so easy to talk about mania.  This month, when Julie is manic, I have to be more cautious about what I say.  I have noticed this in past.  For example, when I went to Mental Health First Aid training at work people began to look queasy as we reached the section on psychosis.  When Julie was younger I once accidentally used the word "psychotic" in describing our desperate situation to a friend - his face and voice suddenly changed, shock and disgust flitting across his features.  I learned to be more careful.

So it seems that Julie has an illness that is half way acceptable.  It is alright to talk about the depression, but not the mania.  Depression is the most common mental illness.  People sometimes talk as if it is the only mental illness; as if all mental illness could be solved with prozac and CBT and more understanding.  I have even heard mental health providers talk in this way.  It glosses over the inconvenient truth that there are people who have other mental illnesses that are still not talked about.