Re: “Mental problems…” if I may — that’s not a acceptable way to refer to mental illness. A person with epilepsy has “mental problems,” based on the criteria that their behaviors are influenced by neurological events. I’m well aware of the risks, the taboos, the stigma associated with not only mental illness, but with other illnesses that are physiological in nature, but present behaviorally. If you knew anything about my world, my life, you’d know why, too (Hint: no, I do not have a mental illness.) ;)
Perhaps your response was a quick jot, and I can appreciate that, so I won’t parse. But writing “Mental problems are still a great taboo, people can be branded as lunatics for trying to be cool and vulnerable writers.” Ai, ai, ai…Maria, that sounds just “this side” of callous, and much too glib for the topic, and I write this with care and respect for you — indeed, we ALL must be careful.
People who have serious mental illnesses, or even emotional issues such as personality disorders, do not all write vulnerably about their personal struggles to appear “cool.” In fact, it takes an inordinate amount of courage to come forward and reveal your struggle with these things. Ideally, when they do finally come forward, it’s to connect and reach people who do not have a voice, and heal through their courage and vulnerability.
However, when you see it from the same people, and the same topics arise time and again, what usually follows is a “cult of personality” following, and within it, a “victim-mentality” that is pervasive in our culture.
After working in the mental health field for a long while like I did, you learn to detect the attention seekers. So, I feel you and I are on the same page here, and you misunderstood the point re: TMI within my comment: when people write an “online journal,” it is not always a good idea to publish it online, for the world to see.
There is a huge difference between “art” and “therapy,” and while some people use art as therapy, it doesn’t mean it belongs online. And if it does, it should speak to a universal experience. Otherwise, you get the aforementioned “following” who do not want the writer to progress, because their need to stay victims must be reaffirmed, and so on.
In the latter case, it takes me a few reads before I realize which is which, and then move on.
In the case of the young woman to whom I wrote my lengthy response, I’ve seen changes in her writing (and no, not just because of me, obviously). I think she’s become aware of that kind of trap many writers fall into, and she’s actively working on her issues, becoming more self-aware as a human being and a writer. That was my point.
I wish you way more than luck and I WILL stay tuned for the blogs you recommend. You’ve a unique insight I enjoy very much, and I hope to continue enjoying it. Peace to you —
