Dallas Shepard
A Mental Illness Poem
At the Harmonized Brain Centers (HBC) we have a passion to help those with neurological disorders (sometimes referred to as mental illness). These conditions can sometimes be diagnosed as Depression, Bi-polar, manic, schizophrenia and many others. At HBC we specialized in using LENS (Low Energy Neurofeedback System) and we have found that it can people with many of the diagnosed conditions as listed above. Mental illness is real and should not cause shame, guilt and resentments but the truth be told it does. We came across a poem about mental illness written by Debbie Sesula which paints an accurate picture of the differences between “normal” people and people with a mental illness. If you or you know someone who is suffering from a mental illness please seek help.
Enjoy the poem.
If you’re overly excited
You’re happy
If I’m overly excited
I’m manic
If you imagine the phone ringing
You’re stressed out
If I imagine the phone ringing
I’m psychotic.
If you’re crying and sleeping all day
You’re sad and need time out
If I’m crying and sleeping all day
I’m Depressed and need to get up.
If you’re afraid to leave your house at night
You’re cautious
If I’m afraid to leave my house at night
I’m paranoid.
If you speak your mind and express your opinions
You’re assertive
If I speak my mind and express my opinions
I’m aggressive.
If you don’t like something and mention it
You’re being honest
If I don’t like something and mention it
I’m being difficult.
If you get angry
You’re considered upset
If I get angry
I’m considered dangerous.
If you over-react to something
You’re sensitive
If I over-react to something
I’m out of control
.If you don’t want to be around others
You’re taking care of yourself and relaxing
If I don’t want to be around others
I’m isolating myself and avoiding.
If you talk to strangers
You’re being friendly
If I talk to strangers
I’m being inappropriate.
For all of the above you’re not told to take a Pill
or are not hospitalized, BUT I AM.