Understanding

When my son was 3 years old he was doing simple math and sounding out words.  He loved to learn and by 6 he was watching the history channel, playing chess, and playing any kind of card game as well as teaching other kids the games.  It's hard to believe this same sweet child is now having trouble organizing himself for the simplest task.  We had to pull him out of high school because he wouldn't stay and the truancy would end us up in court.

Today we've had a day of disorganized speech, psychosis, voices, delusions....  It's hard to tell people you have someone you love with mental illness because people don't know what to say or do.  When you have someone in the hospital with a physical ailment, people bring you a casserole.  When you have someone in a mental hospital, people stay away.

I wish there was more understanding for mental illness.  My son has schizophrenia so we never know what to expect.  The right medicine has not been found.  Mental illness is not rare, people just don't talk about it.

Reach out to someone today.  Smile, give a hug...  I know that I am always so stressed that I would appreciate someone bringing over food.

I don't know if mental illness will ever be on the same level as other illnesses.  I hope that the people reading this will have kindness toward someone even if they don't understand.