Disclaimer:
In reference to Filipino "sensitivity", this can apply in some ways - maybe more on the Bipolar Depression side. Read at your own risk.
The reason for this post is to educate people about Schizophrenia and to clarify some misconceptions about "Suicide" as well as those who suffer from this illness.
U.S. National Library of Medicine describes schizophrenia this way:
"Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that makes it hard to: Tell the difference between what is real and not real; Think clearly; Have normal emotional responses; Act normally in social situations."
I would strongly urge anyone who has a false idea of a schizophrenic person's ability to control their actions, thoughts, or emotions to read this.
Delusions
Hallucinations
Incoherence
Hyperactive Behavior
Flat Effect
A person who is suffering from this often experiences these symptoms as a result of a "trigger", whether it is a loud noise that reminds them of aggression, or whether it is emotional reminding them of a traumatic childhood experience. It could be a feeling of not being loved even which sends them into a very self-destructive state of self-hate that often brings out the other personality that encourages them to kill themselves.
Suicide is not always an act of being a coward or selfish. Sometimes it is the act of someone who is very sick, a sickness in the fact that they did not create, and often times do not acknowledge, nor can they control.
These people are not "crazy". They are injured with scars deeper than can be imagined and in some cases memories buried so deep in their subconscious that they don't actually remember what happened to them. They do not need people to feel sorry for them, they need people to love them, to protect them, and to help them understand what they are going through.
I have witnessed my own younger sister - my only sibling (she passed away 3 years ago in a mental institution). We have struggled with her, cried with her, and even begged the person who was not her (a different personality who did not recognize me) to bring her back to hear us.
I, myself have been through the darkness as well. It is very real.
How to deal with someone who is very "sensitive"?
Stay with them and be very patient, very sensitive to their sensitivities until they come to trust you enough, and then they will get stronger and you can relax more.
It's a very hard and long road, so you need to know yourself well enough to determine if you have the backbone for it. Being supportive does not eliminate the illness, but it strengthens them more so that the triggers are not quite as influential on them emotionally.
I read a sad story yesterday about a teenager who committed suicide jumping off a freeway overpass. She was a straight-A student, a member of a competitive robotics team, and per family, friends, and other classmates were not only one of the smartest kids but also the happiest.
After her death, a journal was found that showed the emotional opposite. She was completely lost in her own mind. Nobody made her feel small, unworthy, dumb, or in the way. Just that one monster in her head. Her. You don't even know what someone is going through. I suppose it's human nature to judge what we see, but if we look at ourselves in that position, how many of us can say that everyone really knows who we are?
We all hold something back, insecurities, and sadness. Some of us might completely smile on the outside, but be lost to depression and self-hate on the inside. Be kind, it's really not that hard to do.
People pray every single day for their loved ones to heal and survive. My heart breaks every time someone dies. Sometimes I don't even know them.
If you or someone you know has an invisible illness (PTSD, Anxiety, Bipolar, Depression, etc.) Never judge what you don't understand.
A bit of random "Bloghoundism" today:
I can smile because I've known sadness...
I am tough because I've seen my pains...
I am fearless (working on it) because I once was afraid...
Good afternoon, dear read.cash friends. Let's search for ways where we can be kind, and where we can shed a little light into this world. Take good care of yourselves too. It's a process.
One love
July 30, 2021
4:25 pm
Philippines
(All photos are my own and taken by me - unless otherwise stated)
Schizofrenia is a very serious illness, but is not to be confused with depression (which is also very bad). The schizophrenic people have delusions, see what normal people do not see. They think that nobody understands them (which is usually true). Suicide is not an act of weakness, it's an act of desperation. I am very sorry about your sister. It should not have happened in a mental institution.