Do you think someone with a mental illness should have the chance to be an elected official?
Equal opportunity : Do you think... - Anxiety and Depre...
Equal opportunity
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EricJones
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Yes if people have the right credentials they should be able to chose whatever field they want without being judged.
This is funny and I love your question. Most of the elected officials we have have mental Illness. Also, wondering why you asked this question and if you were referring to any people specifically? What level of officials are you speaking off?
I think most of them have mental illness too!
Well, I dont think most have a mental illness or the government wouldn't run smoothly. Would you vote for someone with a mental illness?
Do you seriously think the government is running smoothly?
good point lol. Would you vote for someone with a mental illness?
It depends on what you mean by mental illness. We just had a President taken out by a Coup, and the vice president substituted without being nominated which took away the vote of approximately 80 million people. The president was found to be mentally incompetent to be prosecuted but yet still remains the president. I don't believe in discussing politics on any site such as this so I will stop here. So, to answer your question; I would possibly vote for someone with mental Illness, in a not so pronounced form. Anxiety or depression, which is far away from schizophrenia or something more complicated. It would depend on the person, the situation and the severity of the problem. I'm not saying anxiety or depression is any less severe than schizophrenia, but to me it's at a different level. All mental illness is sad and myself, suffering from severe anxiety mixed with depression for most of my life, that's where I'm coming from. I don't consider myself mentally ill, but anxiety and depression is classified as that.
I'm thinking about running for office someday. In september I'll be starting a master's program in political science. So, I was referring to myself actually.
Ha Ha Ha --I was thinking the same thing re. that most of our elected officials Have a mental illness!!! I don't want to offend anyone on here so I will say that a certain elected official with "orange hair" has a Severe Mental Illness & No one seems to care!
Well he's not an elected official right now lol, but i get your point. Does Trump have a mental illness and if so what is it?
Narcissistic Personality Disorder!
However, if the person who had a mental illness but was qualified to be an elected official, I would certainly vote for him/her. I vote on the issues, the policies the candidate believes in, their character, etc. I don't care if they have, or don't have a mental illness as long as they can manage their illness & do the job!
D. Trump is unqualified, has bad character, etc. whether he has, or doesn't have a mental illness!!!
Well, he might win this November.
Hope Not!!!
Well, the country is so divided, and the candidates are so inadequate that I really don't think it matters who runs the country.
Yes, if they have a neurosis, phobia, depression, but no if they are psychotic or schizophrenic, etc.
See, people say I have schizophrenia, but I don't think I do. I think I'm just paranoid and afraid of people. Which can be worked out.
People!?? In the USA, are people diagnosed with schizophrenia by the general population? I had a friend many years ago who was bi-polar. In those days it was called manic depression, and he said that some people would say he was schizophrenic, which was a very damning thing to say because some people with that condition are dangerous to society. NB I say "some". So if a member of the public - even a friend or family member says that about you, it is due to ignorance. They love to label people, even if they don't know what the label actually is.
You are right; your fear and paranoia (which is fear on steroids) can be worked out.
You really think I can get over my paranoia?
That's a question for your doctor. I don't know you other than what you write here.
hi Eric, not to sound insensitive but NO, I prefer my elected officials be level headed, objective, and free of mental challenges (for obvious reasons) Just my opinion...
it's understandable. How about if the person is high-functioning and hasn't had their illness get in the way for years?
If a person can pass a mental health assessment proving they are stable (and have been for some time) then I’m okay with that. My concern is that their decisions affect others safety and stability, so I want them to be thinking clearly. Just like I don’t want someone with nuclear codes having daily meltdowns. Truth be told, half of the US Congress is probably medicated and in therapy. 😉
why would you think that?
Have you watched a recent State of the Union address? Half are asleep, half are jumping up and down every 10 seconds and the Supreme Court Justices are just angry they had to be present. I envision everyone the next morning crying to their therapist about how terrible their jobs are lol….
I’m kidding…, they are stressed from the pressure they get from their big donor constituents. They’ll never please everyone, some can handle that kind of pressure, others fold.
Do you think you could handle the pressure of a political career? I think it would be rewarding if you could actually make a difference and get something good accomplished.
I think I could handle the pressures of office. However, I can't seem to handle to fear of being around people yet, so all of this is merely a dream.
Thomas Jefferson had a fear of people. He used to write out his SOTU address and make Congress pass it around to read it instead of delivering it in person. His social anxiety was debilitating but he grew out of the fear over time.
Depends. If it's anxiety, depression even what kind of depression etc yeah I think that can be an elect official.
But folks suffering from schizophrenia, Borderline Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder type 1 any of those kinds then no. Because the stress of the office could trigger these folks very badly. Even with proper meds and therapy it would be too much. Cause whether you do a decent job in office some people will not like you and they are going to be loud about. It's going to be in print, radio, and TV. All that constant criticism would harm certain folks with certain mental illnesses.
Well, first I have to stop fearing people, and hope that people don't detect my body language as weird. Until that happens I won't be able to run for anything lol
If their mental illness is under control and in remission and doesn't interfere with their cognition or ability to function - of course they should be able to serve politically. In fact denying opportunities to those diagnosed with mental illness is a form of discrimination and is illegal.
Is this a fact? Are you talking about the federal or state governments?
According to the US Equal Employment Opportunity Act:
If you have depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or another mental health condition, you are protected against discrimination and harassment at work because of your condition, you have workplace privacy rights, and you may have a legal right to get reasonable accommodations that can help you perform and keep your job. The following questions and answers briefly explain these rights, which are provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). You may also have additional rights under other laws not discussed here, such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and various medical insurance laws.
but does that mean you can run for office?
I don't see why not as long as you're able to function normally. Your health (physical and mental) issues are private and protected by HIPPA laws. If you don't reveal your mental issues then who will know.
They should be given the chance to apply. We are all equal whether we have a mental illness or not, and none of us are without our own problems. Having a mental illness does not make you a bad person, and having a mental illness does not always mean you lack cognitive function to apply yourself.
so, you believe that I someone like me, someone who suffers from paranoia and anxiety, should have a shot at office?
It depends on your understanding of the political system. As you say, you are about to embark on a period of study in that direction. Emersing yourself in something that interests you could help both your issues. On the other hand, it's not a journey for the fainthearted, is it?
what if the mental illness is anxiety?
I suppose it would depend on which mental illness and whether or not that person was on medication or seeking help. If they have depression but are still stable then yes I think they should be able to run for office. But I suppose I am not certain about something more severe such as what I have schizoaffective disorder which is a type of schizophrenia. I can barely go out of the house even just briefly let alone actually work. Perhaps someday I will be more stable but it will take time and more counseling to get better.
Majones I feel for you. Do you have schizoaffective disorder and if so what's your life like? How do you spend your day to day life?
Well let's just say some days I get pretty bored, but most days I can keep busy for a while. I love to read and write. I journal sometimes. I also love arts and crafts and love to knit and do quilting. I knit scarves for charity. I donate them come fall and winter to a women's shelter nearby here. I can usually finish a scarf in just a couple days; sometimes less.
All this seems fun and impressive, but I was talking more about your disorder? Hows life like living with your disorder?
With the right medication my life can be ok, but still hard. Because of my rather nasty anxiety and temper issues which I get from my schizoaffective disorder, I can no longer work. I have such bad fears that I can no longer go anywhere alone without freaking out. Meaning, I tend to panic and either freeze up or lose it. It tends to be more of the freezing up side that I get these days thankfully. But it sucks when I lose it on my parents. In some way, I know it is not their fault, but sometimes I can get mean when my symptoms flare up. But, the good news is, my current medication makes my symptoms a little more manageable with the exception of not being able to sleep every 2 to 3 days. I go a night here or there with not being able to sleep at all.
Sounds tough. I'm sorry you cannot work anymore. So do you go out in public at all?
Yes, I do sometimes. I just went to the bank and to run a couple errands today or should I say yesterday (Monday). I go for a walk with my parents a few times a week. But that is pretty much it. I went to a funeral a month or so ago, but that has been it for a while.
How frequently do you get out and about?
On average I would say about once a week, but sometimes it doesn't happen. Although this week it was twice. So, it can vary I suppose. I can't do it alone though. I usually prefer it to be with my parents or someone I know.
Why can't you do it alone? Afraid that you'll lose it?
You were firm about your views on this matter yesterday. Why the sudden change?
Couldn't really understand your message in full. A lot of spelling errors. Is there a reason for that?
Too scared to go alone. I am always afraid of something bad happening.
Like what? Whats your worst fears?
What do you mean? I'm not laughing, I'm just confused. Can you not spell easily?
Okay, are you just tired?
When out on walks I am scared the cars with hit us. So, when I go with them, I lecture my Mom about walking down the middle of the street. When going to the groceries stores or Walmart or to run errands, I am scared of car accidents or bad people or sometimes of people just judging me based on my appearance.
Does your appearance stand out negatively or do you just think it does?
I'm trying to understand you, not offend you.
Well let me put it this way; when my Grandma was alive she would ask me if I was pregnant. I wasn't and never have been, but my belly still kind stands out even though I lost a little weight. I guess I just get rather worried what people must think if me in my lazy clothes too.
People don't care that you have a belly, only you do. I have a gut, and I'm not proud of it but I don't care that much.
Hi Rafibromylygia. For what it's worth, I understood all of your messages fine. I think the poster is probably just being petty because they didn't like your original answer 🙄 and is therefore trying to negatively affect your confidence.
Thank you
Rafibroylygia, Ignore selfish people.
I am not sure sometimes because I have been single for about 15 years. Yes you read that right 15 years. Well I suppose I had a boyfriend for about 2 months within the first year after my divorce, but I was very uncomfortable with it and was much skinnier then. Now I weigh a little over 200 pounds and no man has looked at me in that way since I started gaining weight. I am not sure if I am putting off bad vibes of 'get away from me,' to men or what, but no man has flirted with me in a long time. Perhaps it has something to do with my attitude and not being interested in dating. I am not sure.
Are you not interested in dating?
Not really. I have gotten used to being single for what I just calculated as almost 16 years now.
My late husband was diagnosed with Schoeffective disorder and he was a nervous wreck. Believe me, Eric if you have any compassion do not pressure a person who does not want to explain themselves just because you want to understand.
What are you talking about? I'm not pressuring anyone.
You told mentioned something about their spelling. Obviously they did not want to discuss it but you kept telling them you were trying to understand. Let it go if they’re so upset they have a difficult time spelling. Show some compassion.
You need to stop.
you need to stop speaking with me
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