Does anybody else have this hesitation?

[Sophiegirl]

4. I find that it isn't worth the effort....

...to try to convince people who don't understand the complexities of mental illness or mental health, and that the issues involved are 1) more common than people know or want to admit to not understanding; 2) are not because of a character flaw(s); 3) are physiological (not pathological) issues; and 4) that more people than not suffer from one or another form of mental illness.

I don't even try to explain it to people. Most folks simply don't have enough REAL information to understand it and the varying degrees that mental illness affects people.

I try hard to deal with my own issues....with a lot of help from family, friends and mental health professionals. I, for the most part, keep them out of the "public eye." I know that there are people who want folks like me to advocate for mental illness issues. But many of us who suffer with it, and are willing to come out to a select few, are just not particularly well equipped to be strong advocates. It's hard enough to deal with day-to-day life.

Forgive me. I am cycling right now. Pretty hyper today and am probably not making much sense.

Consider this a "vent."