Do not point out too much good when I feel bad, respect where I am at. I may be an inpatient or an outpatient but my impression of life is reality for me. Many of us are fragile in moments we would not otherwise be. There may be no cure but I am not a stain on the floor. I am not something to be stared at and I shouldn’t be avoided. There is nothing about me that will infect you other than my humanity and humour if you let it. I bleed red, have the same senses as you (sometimes more) and can interpret some situations in a fashion very near your own. My tears and frustrations are real to me so respect them. I may not be rational in my responses and emotions but that does not make what I feel unreal. I may be unaware of some things that go on around me but I am acutely aware of others. Leave your fear of catching what I may have at home.
Brett Batten
Author. Advocate. Educator
Brett Batten 
This reminds me of past and current situations when people are like “yeah well, at least……” (insert something horrible happening to someone else or somewhere else in the world). I hate it when people try and one up each other on pain! I’m very big on emotional validation and shocked at how difficult it is to get it when I give it every time.
I will argue that your rational is just as valid as the feelings they create. Your reality is yours!
Thanks for commenting on my entry. I would be interested to know what your broader meaning of your final sentence “I will argue that your rational is just as valid as the feelings they create. Your reality is yours!” is. Thanks, Brett
By that I mean regardless of what other people think what you see, feel and believe its real to you. Saying “your rational is invalid” doesn’t change the fact that this is your rational and it is a contributing factor in who you are.
I’ve had many people tell me that I get angry for no reason, even when I explain to them why I can be met with “well, that wouldn’t make me mad.” To which I respond, that’s great but we need to deal with the fact that in my reality this is how I am processing the situation and it is making me angry. That needs to be dealt with, not how “valid” others believe the situation to be.
I hope that makes sense 😛
Thanks very much for expanding on your comment, and it does make sense.
Hi Brett,
This post is easy for me to relate to. Though I’ve never been hospitalized, I kept my depression as secret as possible for the very thing you’ve described. I innately knew rejection was likely by many who were afraid of it. I’ve come to realize now, those who reject are most threatened by it because it’s a little too close to home. They may not be consciously aware of it, but it’s there.
Hi Denise,
You may be right that when we are rejected it is actually people rejecting a part of their own life. I think in part people simply don’t have experience and knowledge. If you have never lived with people with mental illness their symptoms can be alarming. When we face something new we are unable to fall back on any prior experience so it is safest to turn away.