Think about the people you know who struggle with mental illness. Do you think any of them are crazy? Unfortunately, the word “crazy” is often used as a synonym for mentally ill. Even worse, there’s a common perception that if anyone knows they have a mental illness, it means they don’t really have one. Crazy people don’t know they are crazy, right? If you spend time in self-help circles or support groups, you may hear some slightly different answers to this question. One popular idea is that everyone has some degree of craziness and it is all about how much of that side we suppress and let out in small doses when needed. But do crazy people know they are crazy?
Do Crazy People Know They Are Crazy?
The answer to this question is a little complicated. Some experts believe that people who are diagnosed with a mental disorder are not aware that they are crazy. Others believe that people with mental disorders are aware of their condition and choose to act in ways that are considered crazy.
What Is Mental Illness?
In order to talk about mental illness, we need to know what it is. Mental health is a state of well-being in which there is an absence of mental illness. Mental illnesses are disorders that affect our mood, thinking, and behavior. A mental illness is a health condition that affects your mood, thinking or behavior. It’s common to feel stressed, anxious, or depressed from time to time, but these feelings don’t define mental illness. The most common mental illnesses include anxiety, borderline personality disorder, depression, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder, schizophrenia, and substance abuse disorders.
How Do We Know If Someone Is Mentally Ill?
- They experience recurrent, intense thoughts or behaviors that cause significant distress or impairment.
- The thoughts or behaviors are not due to an underlying mental health condition or medication and they are not caused by a general medical condition.
- The thoughts or behaviors are not attributable to a substance use disorder or another mental health condition.
- The thoughts or behaviors occur more often than they should and cause significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of life.
- The thoughts or behaviors are not due to a lack of willpower and the individual has tried multiple treatments that have had no impact.
- There is evidence of a significant decline in overall functioning (e.g., work, school, relationships) as a result of the thoughts or behaviors.
- The person has been diagnosed with another mental health condition that is compatible with the thoughts or behaviors (e.g., schizophrenia and bipolar disorder).
- There is a significant family history of mental illness.
- The thoughts or behaviors are not due to a medical condition (e.g., brain tumor, head injury).
- There is no other plausible explanation for the thoughts or behaviors.
When Crazy People Don’t Know They Are Crazy?
There are a few different ways to answer this question.
- The first is that some people who struggle with mental illness may not even realize they are crazy. This is because the diagnosis of mental illness can be a very heavy burden to carry. It can feel like you are living in a world that is completely different from the one that everyone else lives in. Some people with mental illness may not even realize they have a problem because they don’t understand the language that is used to describe it.
- The second way to answer this question is that some people who struggle with mental illness do know they are crazy, but they don’t care. This is because for them, being Crazy means being alive and in touch with their feelings and emotions. Crazy people may also find joy and pleasure in things that other people would see as strange or dangerous.
- The third way to answer this question is that some people who struggle with mental illness do know they are crazy, but they can’t control it. This is because for some people with mental illness, being Crazy is a part of their identity. They may see it as a strength rather than a weakness.
- The fourth way to answer this question is that some people who struggle with mental illness do know they are crazy, but they can’t escape it. This is because for some people with mental illness, being Crazy is a part of their daily life. It is something that they have to deal with no matter what.
- The fifth way to answer this question is that some people who struggle with mental illness do not know they are crazy. This is because for some people with mental illness, being Crazy is a state of mind rather than a physical condition.
None of these answers are 100% correct, but they give us a better understanding of how crazy people might think about themselves.
Knowing You Have A Mental Illness Is Part Of Recovery
1. Feeling In Control
Is a key part of feeling sane. When people with mental illness feel like they are losing control, it can trigger a spiral of despair.
2. Connecting With Others
One of the biggest benefits of mental health treatment is the opportunity to connect with others who understand what you’re going through. This can be essential in building a support system and helping you stay strong during your recovery.
3. Putting A Face On Mental Illness
When people know what symptoms to look for and who to ask for help, it can be easier to seek treatment and manage their illness.
4. Staying Sane In The Face Of Crazy Times
Mental illness is unpredictable, and even the best-planned recovery can be disrupted by unexpected events or stressors. But by having a solid foundation in mental health, you’ll be able to weather any storm with grace and dignity.
5. Overcoming Stigma And Discrimination
Mental illness is not a personality flaw – it is a medical condition. No one deserves to be treated differently because of it.
6. Finding Meaning In Life
Many people with mental illness find that their illness brings them closer to God. They may start to see their condition as a blessing in disguise, or they may find a new purpose in their life.
Bottom Line
Knowing that you have a mental illness doesn’t make you weak or broken. It means that you are courageous enough to face your demons and get help. Mental illness is a complicated issue. There is no clear line between mental distress and mental illness. Mental distress is normal, while mental illness is not. There is no simple way to tell if someone is mentally ill. There are, however, signs of mental distress that can help us find out if someone needs help. Crazy people are not the only ones who need help dealing with mental illness.