PNES and Mental Health lack awareness and education = serious consequences for us
Channel: Christine Miller (Mauriello)
Date: 23/09/2014

https://www.transferoutpnes.com Many of us who have Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures have had multiple experiences where people are confused or don't believe you could have a seizure brought on by stress - sadly this includes doctors, nurses and medical tech, actually includes many mental health professionals as well.  Having no mental health advocacy in hospitals makes it scary for us who have psychological challenges.  When people don't understand something all too often it is not taken seriously, even mocked and invalidated.  It is sad for those who don't understand because I believe that they have no desire to do harm, even though that is what they are doing, because that is the basis for their involvement in their field.  Hopefully they got into the medical field to help others, which is what educating themselves about mental health challenges would do.  Too many have suffered in silence because of fear of not being understood or because of the stigma - my brother, Jason, as well as Robin Williams are examples of a fate possible what suffering in silence.  So many of us wear masks, too often we try to pretend to be happy or make others laugh so that we can hide the fact that inside we are writhing in pain.  If you can understand one science fact you are able to strip away the stigma and really get to the meat of the challenge - mental health challenges are caused by a chemical imbalance in our brains.  The only way to balance the chemicals is by seeking treatment of one sort or another - not everyone can do this because of insurance, other won't expose themselves because it makes us appear weak or wanting attention, or because they don't want others to think they're crazy.  Crazy is created by being unbalanced and unstable - which can be prevented when we address the challenge itself.  Everyone can benefit from some education on mental health - do worry about all of the diagnoses, just get the understanding that there is nothing "wrong" with us.  We have many many many gifts and talents that others don't have - so many are actual geniuses with a staggering IQ and savants, and those gifts are accompanied with some challenges.  Can you imagine that being a savant is actually associated and in some places referred to in a negative way - "associated with serious mental health disabilities" and "caused by damage to the anterior temporal lobe."  GEEZ!!!! can someone please damage my anterior temporal lobe!!!  Everyone has challenges, we just have some amazing talents that we get with ours.  Let's redefine our perception of mental health - we will all benefit.  Imagine how many lives would be saved, imagine how many of these geniuses and savants would come out of hiding, or parents/friends would identify the positives in the person as opposed to the challenges. Image how different our world would be!  We can do this, I know we can and I know we will - if we come together , those who feel comfortable to speak up and claim your gifts and talents and take ownership of your challenges as well.  :-)