Mentally ill friends...sigh

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by ellenrr

If she is on medication she may not be responsible for her actions.

I have a friend on medication who is a zombie, literally he is the walking dead. Doesn't speak, cannot answer a simple question.
it is very sad.
but the only way he would get better would be to get off the brain-damaging drugs he is taking, and he is not about to do that.

I stayed with him, supporting him, asking him out for walks, etc, for a few years, but I no longer can.
I cannot abide to see a human being reduced to such a state.

Your friend needs to change doctors and change meds.

[soUlwounD]

If you think she is ill, you should not be with her. People need those around who see the person, not the illness. Everyone is much much more than their diagnosis.

[KathrynAragon]

Originally Posted by soUlwounD

If you think she is ill, you should not be with her. People need those around who see the person, not the illness. Everyone is much much more than their diagnosis.

Oh, come on. Mental illness is real and it's a real ILLNESS. It's entirely possible to have a good relationship with someone who is mentally ill, but that nearly always requires that the mentally ill person take responsibility for controlling their mental illness and respecting personal boundaries with others. In most cases, both of these requirements for healthy relationships can be met, but the person with the mental illness has to accept the diagnosis and accept responsibility for their own treatment - and their own actions.

If I had a friend who was diabetic, but who insisted on refusing treatment, or who, for instance, insisted on baking elaborate, sugary desserts and inviting me over and chowing down with me while simply not treating their illness - I would not be a part of their food extravaganzas. Period. Sure, they can do it all they want but don't ask me to be part of it. Same with mental illness.