Dear Friend
Letter to a friend28 total reviews
Comment from Yeti777
Great commentary and lesson on mental disorders. Your writing provides an adequate punch that challenges the reader to consider his own feelings on the matter. Then you dispel the myths through science and facts. Well done. Sean
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2011
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Great commentary and lesson on mental disorders. Your writing provides an adequate punch that challenges the reader to consider his own feelings on the matter. Then you dispel the myths through science and facts. Well done. Sean
Comment Written 07-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2011
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Thank you so much for the kind review. I am trying to work on advocacy for people with mental and physical disabilities and the elderly on the local level. This is my first step on the journey to reaching a wider audience. Thanks again! Debbie
Comment from Joan E.
Thank for your honesty in describing your condition in this open letter. I admire the way you forced us to question our own assumptions and for dispelling myths. I hope your work will give courage to others. Best wishes- Joan
reply by the author on 05-Feb-2011
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Thank for your honesty in describing your condition in this open letter. I admire the way you forced us to question our own assumptions and for dispelling myths. I hope your work will give courage to others. Best wishes- Joan
Comment Written 05-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 05-Feb-2011
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Thanks Joan, I have a need to work towards advocacy for both the mentally and physically disabled as well as the elderly This is the start of that journey. Debbie
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I wish you well in this challenging and important pursuit. -Joan
Comment from Nanticoke
Mental illness is so misunderstood and mistreated, so I'm glad you're breaking stereotypical thinking with such creative writing. The perspective is excellent.
A few suggestions:
I hope you (will) read this with an open mind and heart.
I am the very same person I was, before I revealed this to you.
There is a definite (particular?) stigma associated with mental illness that is not found with physical illnesses.
Those (Individuals?) with mental illness have changes in the structure and function of the brain.
Those with mental illness have (differences?)changes in the structure and function of the brain.
I hope we can still be friends; I am the same person you were friends with last week or last year.
I have not changed; I have just decided to be honest with you.
None of the changes are critically necessary :-).
Good work.
reply by the author on 05-Feb-2011
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Mental illness is so misunderstood and mistreated, so I'm glad you're breaking stereotypical thinking with such creative writing. The perspective is excellent.
A few suggestions:
I hope you (will) read this with an open mind and heart.
I am the very same person I was, before I revealed this to you.
There is a definite (particular?) stigma associated with mental illness that is not found with physical illnesses.
Those (Individuals?) with mental illness have changes in the structure and function of the brain.
Those with mental illness have (differences?)changes in the structure and function of the brain.
I hope we can still be friends; I am the same person you were friends with last week or last year.
I have not changed; I have just decided to be honest with you.
None of the changes are critically necessary :-).
Good work.
Comment Written 05-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 05-Feb-2011
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Thank you for your kind review. I appreciate your suggestions and I am making at least a couple of the changes, maybe more. Debbie
Comment from Deorre Leonard
Thank you for being strong enough to share that with all of us.I think that a lot of people are afraid of the unknown. My best friend has suffered with mental illness for 20t years.She has her good days and her bad days.I just go with the flow whatever she needs. We are friends forever. Oh and thanks for the great poem.
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reply by the author on 05-Feb-2011
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Thank you for being strong enough to share that with all of us.I think that a lot of people are afraid of the unknown. My best friend has suffered with mental illness for 20t years.She has her good days and her bad days.I just go with the flow whatever she needs. We are friends forever. Oh and thanks for the great poem.
This rating does not count towards story rating or author rank.
The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 05-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 05-Feb-2011
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Thank you for the kind review. It is wonderful you continue to be a friend with your best friend. I commend you for that! Debbie
Comment from fgohar
This is a good writing.Writer is member of one's society and society has a complicated structure as science age is growing fast.The writer hold the hands of those who are not fast in the life.They are innocent and writer has soft corner for such people.This is the life.
reply by the author on 05-Feb-2011
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This is a good writing.Writer is member of one's society and society has a complicated structure as science age is growing fast.The writer hold the hands of those who are not fast in the life.They are innocent and writer has soft corner for such people.This is the life.
Comment Written 05-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 05-Feb-2011
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Thank you so much for the kind review. Debbie
Comment from Helen Tan
You do not have to walk on eggshells around us.
I think many do walk on eggshells because we're afraid of being thought of as insensitive.
We are no more different from you than if we had diabetes or cancer.
There is a plea for understanding in this line. I hear it clearly.
I have had Major Depressive Disorder for nearly twenty years. There are very effective treatments today. By sharing this, I hope to help you learn more about and accept those with mental illness.
I appreciate you sharing this with us. I've just had to admit my dad to a psychiatric ward for dementia. I visit this ward every day and have come to be accepted by a few of the other patients as "extended family". As I speak to some of them and their family members, I do sense they are like me with hopes, dreams and a life to lead. It's just that they need some space to sort through things.
reply by the author on 05-Feb-2011
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You do not have to walk on eggshells around us.
I think many do walk on eggshells because we're afraid of being thought of as insensitive.
We are no more different from you than if we had diabetes or cancer.
There is a plea for understanding in this line. I hear it clearly.
I have had Major Depressive Disorder for nearly twenty years. There are very effective treatments today. By sharing this, I hope to help you learn more about and accept those with mental illness.
I appreciate you sharing this with us. I've just had to admit my dad to a psychiatric ward for dementia. I visit this ward every day and have come to be accepted by a few of the other patients as "extended family". As I speak to some of them and their family members, I do sense they are like me with hopes, dreams and a life to lead. It's just that they need some space to sort through things.
Comment Written 05-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 05-Feb-2011
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I am so sorry to hear about your father, I am sure this is a very difficult time for you. I worked on an Alzheimer's unit for 10 years and dementia is a very difficult illness to deal with. I wish you and your father the best. Debbie Thank you for the kind review. Debbie
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Thank you for your well wishes. You take care of yourself.
Comment from moyramouse
Hi Deb, what a brave letter, you are quite right to raise the awareness of mental illness. I remember when I was about 10 my dad had a nervous breakdown. So called friends didn't want anything to do with him. With medication he recovered, but I will always remember the unthinking cruelty he experienced.
We all wear a badge of some sort or another. We need to look beyond, to the person standing there behind the badge; the person with the same hopes and dreams as you and me. x moyramouse
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2011
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Hi Deb, what a brave letter, you are quite right to raise the awareness of mental illness. I remember when I was about 10 my dad had a nervous breakdown. So called friends didn't want anything to do with him. With medication he recovered, but I will always remember the unthinking cruelty he experienced.
We all wear a badge of some sort or another. We need to look beyond, to the person standing there behind the badge; the person with the same hopes and dreams as you and me. x moyramouse
Comment Written 04-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 04-Feb-2011
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Thank you so much for reading this and the kind review. The stigma attached to mental illness is so strong. My sister, who is a social worker won't have anything to do with me since I went through a truly bad episode 11 years ago. You would think a social worker would understand.... Thank you for the review and kind words. Debbie
Comment from deb552
WOW! Once again you have me at a lose for words. This not only is well written, but carries such a powerful and emotional message. All the points you make are so poignant and important for people to understand. There are so many different types of mental illness and as you say, they are treatable. The most important thing is for people who do suffer from a problem, be able to admit it and seek help. And in doing so, they should and to be given the moral support by friends and family, rather than be pushed away. I guess I found my words and hope they make sense, because you did good here my friend! deb
reply by the author on 03-Feb-2011
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WOW! Once again you have me at a lose for words. This not only is well written, but carries such a powerful and emotional message. All the points you make are so poignant and important for people to understand. There are so many different types of mental illness and as you say, they are treatable. The most important thing is for people who do suffer from a problem, be able to admit it and seek help. And in doing so, they should and to be given the moral support by friends and family, rather than be pushed away. I guess I found my words and hope they make sense, because you did good here my friend! deb
Comment Written 03-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 03-Feb-2011
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My primary goal at this point is to advocate for the mentally and physically disabled as well as the elderly. I have done so at a local level, but this is the start of my journey to do it on a wider scale. Thank you for the kind review and comments friend. Debbie
Comment from Magics02
I love you just the way you are last week two weeks before that and two weeks in the future. I never look at this type of illness for believe it or not we all carry something on our necks and this is courageous of you to write.
I have had my share of medicines also and know that I accept me for who I am and hope others do as well and then those that don't have not walked in my shoes. Plain and simple just like me. Blessings to you and keep up your great writes.
Love and Hugs Magics
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2011
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I love you just the way you are last week two weeks before that and two weeks in the future. I never look at this type of illness for believe it or not we all carry something on our necks and this is courageous of you to write.
I have had my share of medicines also and know that I accept me for who I am and hope others do as well and then those that don't have not walked in my shoes. Plain and simple just like me. Blessings to you and keep up your great writes.
Love and Hugs Magics
Comment Written 02-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2011
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Thank you so much for the review and wonderful, caring comments. I wrote this because I want to advocate for the mentally and physically handicapped and the elderly. This is my first step into that journey. Love, Debbie
Comment from Munchalino
Dear Debbie: Wow!
Your piece is so frank and clear. So open and so vital. You say what needs to be heard. And known. It is a plea and it could be used as a rallying cry. Thank you for your honesty and openness. Never underestimate the power of one.
Matt.
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2011
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Dear Debbie: Wow!
Your piece is so frank and clear. So open and so vital. You say what needs to be heard. And known. It is a plea and it could be used as a rallying cry. Thank you for your honesty and openness. Never underestimate the power of one.
Matt.
Comment Written 02-Feb-2011
reply by the author on 02-Feb-2011
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Thanks for reading this Matt and I appreciate your positive comments. I knew I wanted to write this, but was unsure of how much info to include and how technical to make it. I hope I hit a happy medium. I also didn't want to make it all about me. That is why I didn't mention depression until the end. I have had positive comments on it-hopefully it helped a few people understand a bit more than they did. Thanks again. Debbie