Why should a mental illness be different from a physical illness?
It IS a physical illness. It involves bioelectrical chemicals (neurotransmitters) and other physical problems, and should never be classified as anything other than a physical illness. Yet if someone has a brain tumor, people will send cards, bring food, offer to clean or spend the night, shop, or come by just to visit. A little less so for epilepsy. If someone has schizophrenia, no cards, no visits, etc., and like you said, fear. Same with bipolar disorder. I think I’ve gotten 4-5 get well cards in the 30+ years I’ve had this (from my husband, who is pretty enlightened). None from friends or relatives. I live for the day when people send cards and do all the rest for a friend or relative who has schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety disorder, panic attacks, paranoia, etc. I imagine Hallmark or some other card manufacturing company coming out with these–NOT for a “mental health day,” but for true mental illnesses. It would mean so much to us who suffer from mental illne
