Let's be up-front about the Black Dog

[old man emu]

NO Flying Dog. You didn't kill the topic. I only had a quick visit here last night as I was working. I jumped back on as soon as I was able to this morning.

 

I salute you for coming forward and forcefully putting your case. As a retired General Duties policeman, and a holder of Christ's principles, I know exactly where you are coming from with your comments about the actions of Society expressed through its minions in the Health and Law Enforcement areas.

 

I always felt sorry for the poor suffering souls I had to escort off to hospital and see the way that health care workers treated them as just another inconvenience. I always felt that I was being sent in to a situation merely because I was a big boofy bloke who could wrestle anyone into submission. I tried to inform myself about the gentle ways to gain the confidence and trust of those who were in "another place", and it is amazing that by showing a bit of empathy, I was able to do what I had to do without resorting to State sanctioned violence.

 

I ended up being discharge "Medically Unfit" because of depression and anxiety. I'm lucky. The Black Dog only slobbered on me. But I still get saddened (minor depression?) when I suffer failures. Now I am a bit concerned because last night I felt really happy, and I couldn't find a good reason for feeling that way.

 

When I started this topic I meant it to be a vehicle for people to discuss this major problem. I'm glad it has let some people be open and forthright. I hope we can keep up the conversation.

 

Old Man Emu

 

 

[facthunter]

Thanks for telling us Debra. Doctors are quite judgemental rather than listeners ,often. Don't take them too seriously. They may be suffering from Authority Over exercising Complex. They may be intelligent but are not Gods. who are always right. Nev

 

 

[facthunter]

As soon as one is classified " anything" you are put in a box, and can be insulted, pilloried, dismissed, reviled etc, because you somehow deserve it. Everyone is different. Believe it.Nev

 

 

[planet47]

Flying Dog - do not leave please. Your input is important to everyone.

 

 

[Bats]

Thanks for telling us Debra. Doctors are quite judgemental rather than listeners ,often. Don't take them too seriously. They may be suffering from Authority Over exercising Complex. They may be intelligent but are not Gods. who are always right. Nev

True, but it pays to be careful with assumptions, the medical profession are pretty well represented amongst the ranks of depression sufferers too - in part (as related by a friend) because everyone always looks to them for answers, for a decision, for a miracle. More than that, bear in mind that those same people who are being castigated for being uncaring etc, may themselves be struggling inside, outwardly coping but with reserves reaching empty.

 

 

[Old Koreelah]

True, but it pays to be careful with assumptions, the medical profession are pretty well represented amongst the ranks of depression sufferers too - in part (as related by a friend) because everyone always looks to them for answers, for a decision, for a miracle. More than that, bear in mind that those same people who are being castigated for being uncaring etc, may themselves be struggling inside, outwardly coping but with reserves reaching empty.

Well said Bats. Your observations apply to many professions; quite often it's the most dedicated who fall by the wayside (fail to live up to their own too-high standards?) while those who can compartmentalise their feelings cruise thru.

 

 

[turboplanner]

Hopefully FD you didn't push he un-subscribe button, because the people on here in this discussion have represented a broad cross-section from those who are trying to be sympathetic and helpful, but have no idea of the breadth and number of the different problems of those suffering, which is why I recommended leaving it to the professionals.

 

As you've indicated there are professionals and professionals, and sometimes you have to keep looking until finally you find someone who has the insight to find out exactly what the problem is, then apply a successful fix to start getting an improvement.

 

I was particularly interested in your comment about taking a person out of their environment (which is causing the problem) and then trying to treat it.

 

The Victorian Government have a system whereby they will call a person in the home at regular intervals - maybe six weeks, and so can get an assessment in the home, in the day to day environment.

 

PM me if you're interested and I'll see if I can find out how it works and who to contact.

 

 

[Robbo]

Hi all, I suffer from OCD ( Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)

Don't mean any disrespect here Deb, but how can you get a medical to fly an aircraft with OCD?

 

I have heard that is an instant disqualification in holding a pilots licence?

 

Now I know the bloke mentioned in the below article is hated in the airline industry but its an example and things have changed since this.

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/australiaandthepacific/australia/7501666/Mentally-ill-Qantas-pilot-allowed-to-fly-despite-wanting-to-crash-planes.html

 

 

[Pearo]

Hmmmmm.......Seems I have done a good job in killing this topic.

 

Does anyone think it is reflective of how seriously it is taken?

 

My two (three?) posts were not even CLOSE to things which are happening to me, and by that, I mean the situation is WORSE - and getting worse every ..... (insert time interval here).

 

No, I am really dismayed (spelling?/word?) that honestly at the end of the day, this is EXACTLY what I see. Talk and no real helpful/useful actions taken.

 

It has always puzzled me how people say (after the event) ... "OH, if only I'd known, I would have done something...."

 

That is one of the cheapest cop outs I have heard. If you REALLY care about someone, you do NOT LET IT GET THAT FAR IN THE FIRST PLACE, if you REALLY care about the person.

 

Last part repeated to show the importance of it.

 

And I"m out'a here.

 

us-subscibe button pressed.

I only just spotted this, been away for a bit so I may have missed the updates.

 

Mate, seriously, I think the dog is gnawing at your heels now.

 

I notice the part about you saying stuff about fitting in and ' being the norm'. I dont fit in the stereotypical normal part of society either, in fact I think you will find most of us here dont because we are all aviation nerds. I am probably further outside that realm too, being an engineer we are not known for our social skills.

 

I am going to come back and re-read your posts tommorrow because I am tired now and I want to fully digest what you have said.

 

 

[Litespeed]

Well I am glad the subject is out there, and thank anyone for their contributions as long as they are sensitive to the actual pain physical and emotional that the black bastard dog can do.

 

It is complex and can often be a lifelong chronic disease- with no easy solutions and at best just bandaids to patch you up till next time you are bitten.

 

We all have life experiences that can bring us down, some are catastrophic and some are merely flea bites. But it is always hard to determine from the distance the injury suffered and its consequence. Some are like a broken arm- easily seen and treated with little long term effects. Others are like asbestos and are not recognised for what they are- ie a silent killer that is hard to ascribe to any certain event and will in all likelyhood Kill you.

 

Sometimes the biggest bites from the dog are caused by factors we either don't understand as been important or block them out as a protection mechanism. It is these insidious bites that often fester and cause systemic problems to our mental and physical health. Chronic mental health issues are often a hidden problem especially for men as we have this view of ourselves needing to be tough and stoic- this sadly is reinforced by society and often our friends and family.

 

IF their was ever a medical condition that for which we could say "society is to blame"this is it. It is societal attitudes and indifference that make this disease's effects magnified and often a killer.

 

Whilst we would like to believe we live in enlightened times- society, including government and health services have let us down badly.

 

Unfortunately we are also often let down by our loved ones who either do not understand or have little emotional maturity to deal with it and thus increase the burden on sufferers.It takes compassion and maturity of mind to help someone with mental illness- these are things that can rarely be taught and for which society in general does not reward.

 

Nor does society normally accept that the wounds caused to the person are wounds at all or it minimizes them as mere "flea bites". Or in some cases actively tries to denigrate the sufferer as a 'winger, leaner, bludger, sook, soft, just a angry bugger, a nutter etc.......

 

This only increases the harm greatly and makes survival even more difficult.

 

We then also have institutional harm caused by the response of the perpetrators of the harm be it a church, government, the armed forces or big bussiness. They protect themselves at all costs and will always blame the victim and often make it impossible for the sufferer to gain help and refuse any meaningful resolution.

 

As I write this the Royal Commission into sexual abuse is still running and the poor souls affected by this national disgrace are still been actively harmed by the coverups and refusal to provide meaningful help, justice and compensation. The government has in its power to stops this continued harm but refuses to do so- they protect the churches legally and ensure they are not legally accountable to compensate.

 

The continued harm caused by this abuse has led to thousands of Australians to die from their injuries by suicide and many more will continue to die as government plays lip service to this tragedy and the lawyers feast on the corpses.

 

The same could be said of the military- far more soldiers will die of the black dog than ever in combat , they know it and will continue to give bugger all help and denigrate the sufferers. It is telling that Major General John Cantwell left the armed forces rather than take up the role as head- because he could no longer put up with a system that even he at the top of the system could not get adequate help for his PTSD. It is a sad indictment on society and nothing seems to change- but mainly silently those effected just crawl into a hole and are savaged by the dog many fatally.

 

The epidemic of depressive illness and societal including government neglect have a direct correlation. Yes we as individuals have a responsibility to be compassionate, patient and thoughtful. But the greatest help must be systemic and this we have failed at miserably.

 

This is my lived experience- some days the dog has a lick and those are better days than some. On others there is no hole deep enough to hide from the beast. No dog catcher come along to help and no government brings a ladder to help you climb out the hole.

 

I am sorry if this all seems negative- but that is the nature of the beast.