Our Aging Parents

"If only I'd known ... I would have done things differently!"

  • Home
    • Definitions
      • Definitions – A
      • Definitions – B
      • Definitions – C
      • Definitions – D
      • Definitions E – F
      • Definitions – G
      • Definitions – H
      • Definitions – I
      • Definitions J – L
      • Definitions M – N
      • Definitions O – P
      • Definitions Q – R
      • Definitions – S
      • Definitions T – Z
  • Caregiving Basics
    • From Chaos to Confidence
      • Are Your Elderly Parents In Denial?
      • How to Communicate Effectively with Your Elderly Parent
      • “How to …” Videos
    • Biggest Mistakes
      • In the Blink of an Eye
      • How to Find Your “Me” Time
      • Tips for Sandwich Parents
    • How to Talk with Your Parent about …
      • Driving
        • Senior Transportation
      • Their Health
      • Advance Directives
      • Their Money
    • Money | Legal
      • Before It’s Too Late
      • Scams That Target Seniors
      • Missing Legal Papers
      • Social Security
        • Social Security – More Short Stories
      • Old, Frail and Evicted
      • Patient Privacy Rules
      • Who Else Inherits
    • Home Is …
      • Aging at Home
        • Home Alone – Are They OK?
        • Unfriendly Granny Flats
      • Assisted Living
      • Nursing Home
      • Memory Care
    • Support Group
      • How to Participate
    • Caregiver Bookshelf
  • Alzheimer’s | Dementia
    • Alzheimer’s Is …
    • The Seven Stages
    • Worried About Alzheimer’s?
    • Your Odds of Getting Alzheimer’s
    • Is It Alzheimer’s? … or Something Curable?
    • Is It Alzheimer’s? … or Dementia?
    • What Is It Like To Have Alzheimer’s?
      • Their World vs Our World
      • Agitation – A Natural Consequence of Alzheimer’s?
      • My Elderly Dad Really Hates Me
    • Symptoms
    • Quick Tips
      • Alzheimer’s Tip #20
  • Toxic Parents
    • Addicted to Pain Medications
    • Alcoholics
    • Narcissists
      • How to Deal with a Toxic Mother
      • Confessions of a Narcissist
    • Set Boundaries for Toxic Parents, Partners and Siblings
    • How to Divorce Your Abusive Parent
  • Health | Medical
    • Medicare Basics
      • Medicare Benefit Gaps – 2020
      • Medicare Part B Premium and Deductibles for 2021
      • FAQs, Tips & Nasty Surprises
    • Symptoms Not to Ignore
      • Alzheimer’s
      • Aphasia
      • Cardiac Arrest
      • Dehydration
      • Delirium
      • Depression
      • Falls
      • Hallucinations
      • Heart Attack
      • My Toes Are Cold!
      • Pneumonia
      • Strokes and Mini-Strokes (TIAs)
      • Swallowing Problems
      • Vitamin B12 Deficiency?
    • Drug Interactions and Side Effects
  • More Resources
    • Caregivers Ask …
    • Free eBooks
    • Checklists
    • Organizers
  • About
    • About Me
    • My Story
    • My 2¢
    • Testimonials
Home » My 2¢ – Mental Illness

My 2¢ – Mental Illness

by Mike Gamble ★ < 1

Mental Illness

curmudgeonish senior man passing judgement

My Alter Ego

Let’s get rid of the words “Mental Illness” and “Mentally Ill.”

They’re toxic words, loaded with very negative emotions. They bring to mind images of people with weird and bizarre behaviors, who are very dangerous, and who should be locked up to protect the rest of us “normal” people.

Unfortunately, they unfairly stigmatize millions and millions of our fellow citizens who suffer from little more than a chemical imbalance in their brains. That’s really no different than people who have, for example, thyroid problems — nothing more than a chemical imbalance in their thyroid glands. In nearly all cases, both problems are easily resolved with medication.

Let’s face it. When we talk about illnesses of our bodies, we use very specific words: cancer, heart attack, dizziness, over-active bladder, emphysema, tuberculosis — to name just a few. So, why can’t we use the word “depression” as a specific condition rather than referring to it as a mental illness. After all, depression is something that most of have had, or will have, at some point in our lives.


We welcome your comments. And, if this post was helpful,
please share it with your friends.

About Mike Gamble

Mike is a former family caregiver with a passion for improving the Quality of Life for Older Adults and Family Caregivers.

Subscribe
Login
Notify of
Please login to comment
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Sign Up for Email Updates

Mike Gamble

Mike is a former family caregiver with a passion for improving the Quality of Life for Older Adults and Family Caregivers. Read More…

Topics

  • Addiction
  • Advance Directives
  • Aging at Home
  • Alcoholic Parents
  • Alzheimer's
  • Alzhimer's
  • Assisted Living
  • Biggest Mistakes
  • Caregivers' Bookshelf
  • Caregivers Ask
  • Caregiving Basics
  • Checklists & Worksheets
  • Communication
  • Definitions
  • Dementia
  • Elderly Drivers
  • Explanations of Terms
  • Fitness | Frailty
  • Free eBooks
  • Granny Flats
  • Health | Medical
  • Heart Attack
  • Home Is ...
  • How to...
  • Living Will
  • Medicare
  • Medicare - Quick Tips
  • Memory Care
  • Money | Legal
  • My 2¢
  • Narcissists
  • Nursing Homes
  • Organizers
  • Pain
  • Personal Safety
  • Power of Attorney
  • Quick Tips – Alzheimer's
  • Quick Tips – Money
  • Scams
  • Senior Care
  • Senior Living Options
  • Senior Transportation
  • Social Security
  • Support Group
  • Symptoms
  • Testimonials
  • Together We Can
  • Toxic Parents
  • Universal Design

By using our website, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Home | Disclosures and Relationships | Contact

Copyright © 2020 · Our Aging Parents · All rights reserved.

wpDiscuz

Cookies

We use cookies to give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site, we will assume that you agree to our use of cookies. Your Privacy