Madly Ever After

This is a challenging thing to write about.

Have you ever been trapped in the system? I guess anyone reading this has.

When you’re emotionally unstable and people keep asking you to arrange appointments, provide paperwork, organise the medical treatment you need on your own, without help or guidance as to what you need or who you need to talk to.

It doesn’t matter what your condition is but more often than not you have to rely on the professional guidance of those in the system. And this let’s you down. When in pain or suffering from a mental health issue (my area) you can rarely take in what’s said even if you’re cognisant of the environment.

On my last admission I was taken in by colleagues. It was hours before I was processing what the doctors told me and I had to be helped around the hospital. I only remember the lead up to my breakdown and the talk with the emergency doctor. Have only inconsistent flashbacks to the rest of it.

My condition is mild and I had help and I’m still having to manage my own treatment. I need to know what to do and who to talk to.

Put yourself in the place of someone who can barely get out of bed and feed themself. The overload of trying to manage life let alone your treatment and work/state support is truely overwhelming and you shutdown just to protect yourself.

The doctors see this as missed appointments, employers as slacking, the state as laziness. You can’t tell anyone in that position to help themselves, they need support and help from friends. Don’t mention family as the people I’m talking about have no one safe to turn to and get preyed upon.

Occasionally there is chosen family. People who will always be there when you’re in need. Few and far between in the modern world as we’re all so selfish these days.

But back to my original point. You cannot manage your own health care if you don’t know what’s going on and if you have no one trusted to support and guide you.

Even the best health care system is broken because of this approach.

You’re treated as a memento mori

Tomorrow you may die.