Today I attended a mental health carer's group. Mel has lived with mental health issues for over twenty years and I thought I had a good understanding of her issues and responses. What I thought was only applicable to Mel I found out today it can also apply to others. I am always surprised when Mel doesn't respond emotionally to a situation which I would respond to. I always thought it was just 'her'. Today I heard another person's testimony where their loved one did exactly the same. I was floored. It was something that is so obvious but had kept me in the dark for so long. It's a coping strategy. Where something unexpected happens it is so outside the boundaries of the person, their reaction is stilted. The unexpected response often includes a time lapse; sometimes hours later or in severe cases months or years. Just by listening to this person's story, Mel's responses became clearer to me. Bless her.
No comments:
Post a Comment