Abusing an illness.

Now, I understand that this is going to be an extremely controversial topic (if anyone actually chooses to read this!) - however, it must be addressed. A diagnosis of mental illness is not license to run rampant over your friends and family, become a little dictator that will fly off the handle if your wishes are not complied with, and use "but I'm (insert diagnosis here!)" as an excuse to do/not to do/to get out of/to get into something.

It simply isn't, folks.

First, a diagnosis does not in the slightest change who you are. You are the same person you were yesterday before a doctor made a note on your chart. It's a label for behaviors, chemical issues, actions and reactions to trauma, and misaligned thought processes that were likely there long before you got that little sticker you're parading around everywhere. A diagnosis does not change you - all it is, is a name for something you already had. It doesn't make you special and it does not mean that you can take liberties over everyone because you're so siiiiick.

Mental illness is DAMN hard, and painful - I know this. I know this biblically, personally, I know this by rote. I know that it feels as if your actions are out of your control and that you're driving everyone away and I know what it's like to feel like everyone is against you - but there comes a point where you need to stop hiding beneath your diagnosis. Yes, it might be hard, but you need to do certain things - personal care, upkeep of house, home, & any familial obligations you may have, go to school/work if you are in that position - and having a mental illness does not mean you get to STOP doing those things.

Quite frankly, unless you are in a position where you are in need of such help that you require assisted services, in-patient hospitalization treatment, or some kind of personal aid in order to help you, you need to realize that this isn't going to go away and babying yourself through it probably won't help you in the long run. Get the help you need - go in-patient if you need to. Yes, it's not fun, but intensive treatment could get you out of the hole long enough that you can function properly. Get a pet to give you motivation; get the assisted services you need, but DO WHAT YOU CAN WITH WHAT YOU HAVE.

That's the biggest thing I can stress: if you give in to your mental illness it will take you over. You are fully capable of mistreating and abusing others because you are giving in to your mental illness. Maybe you're hurting the people you know the best, maybe you're pushing away people you barely know. Maybe you're screaming on the sidewalk about the world falling down around you. The point is that there comes a time when you need to say, "You know what? I hate this. I don't want to be like this anymore." And then you take one step at a time.

Change and help won't come immediately - fixing the hole caused by this illness/issue with your brain/trauma-based problem will take time. But you need to stand up and rise against it, not use it as an excuse to run roughshod over the people who love you.