“I call him religious who understands the suffering of others.”
When I first offered my eBook for sale, Shirley Britsch quickly purchased one for her Kindle.
Shirley wrote the following on my Facebook page:
"I hope that someday soon there will never be any stigma attached to mental illness, and that anyone suffering from it will get the same feelings of empathy we show towards those who have other types of illnesses."
How beautifully written! Just imagine if this were the case.
In Pros of Prozac, I discuss the comparison between depression and diabetes:
"I tend to look at mental illness like diabetes. Society would never say that diabetics use a “crutch” when using insulin. Insulin is vital to the health of diabetics and can’t be successfully managed without it. The problem is that many people don’t see depression or anxiety as a biological issue.
Despite endless medical research, some see it as only a self-controllable
psychological issue.
There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 diabetics, based on their genetic makeup, can’t digest sugar properly from birth. Without additional insulin, their bodies would go into sepsis and, unless helped by medical intervention,
would die. There was nothing they did to make themselves diabetics; they were born that way. There is nothing they can do to heal themselves from this condition—there is no cure. They must monitor their sugar levels their entire life and take corresponding insulin.
Type 2 diabetics no longer have the ability to digest sugar properly because of choices they've made, often because they've become overweight. Regardless, insulin is still needed for type 2 diabetics to maintain health. Often, if they get their bodies back to a healthy state, they no longer have an insulin problem.
Like type 1 diabetics, some with clinical depression or anxiety are born with it. To live a functional life, they must medically treat their illness their entire lives—there is no cure. Like type 2 diabetics, others with depression or anxiety may have placed themselves in that state based on choices they've made or experiences they've had. Either way, they need professional help, and often medical help, to function well."
Sources: Information about diabetes can be found at the U.S. National Library of Medicine or NLM (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/) in the A. D. A. M Medical Encyclopedia. For additional information, visit the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org. American Diabetes Association. (2004). Nutrition principles and recommendations in diabetes (Position Statement). Diabetes Care, 27 (1), S36–S46.
Thank you for adding to this vital conversation, Shirley.
God is great!
God is great!
Shirley Britsch is a very talented artist. You can view her work at www.shirleymckay.com and www.facebook.com/ShirleyMckayBritschFineArt.
The information contained on this blog is intended to be educational and not for diagnosis, prescription, or treatment of any mental illness. The information should not replace consultation with a competent healthcare provider or mental health professional. The content of this blog is intended to be used in adjunct to a rational and responsible healthcare or psychotherapy program. Beca Mark or CTL Press, Inc. is in no way liable for any misuse of the material contained on this website.
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