posted
Actually most people who think they can whisper to unicorns aren't allowed to leave the institution grounds.
Posts: 68 | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
rivka, it's hard to find people in institutions who think of themselves as being on the right side of the wall...
But then again, my perspective is skewed. I have a number of friends who have been in them and really really want to stay on this side of the wall.
But what am I saying? I'm paid to be judgmental. It's on my job description. It's part of my evaluation.
Posts: 4344 | Registered: Mar 2003
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it's also in my job description to, all other things being equal, take the word of the oppressed over that of the oppressors. (We really need a sanctimonious halo graemlin)
It's an interesting question - do we trust the descriptions of people who couldn't wait to get out of a place? Or do we rely on the testimonials of those whose livelihoods depend on the existence of the same places?
Posts: 4344 | Registered: Mar 2003
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quote: Is all else equal in the case of an asylum?
Well, we're talking about people who got out. And everyone I know - I mean everyone - says they are lousy places and either experienced or witnessed abuse while there. (Remember, these are the people who actually got out.)
Interestingly, I'm hard pressed to find one professional (and I have known quite a few over my life) who has worked in one of them who has witnessed abuse, let alone committed any.
Edited to add: How do I make sense of this disparity? Which group should I be more inclined to believe?
Seems to me when you're not the one being oppressed, it's all too easy to see what you want to see.
I'm also an agnostic when it comes to the reliability of psych labels. I believe mental illness is a real thing. But I also don't believe everyone who gets the label deserves it.
Actually, for that matter, I don't think having a psych label should disqualify you from being listened to when you protest against lousy conditions.
posted
It's was kind of mixed in the institution I was in. We all complained, but some were crazy enough to prefer it to the outside. You know, catch 22 and all that.
What was weird were all the folks who had shot themselves (ineffectually) or someone else. I mean, it was a military institution, for Pete's sake. How do they expect these people to react to stress.
Anyway, I second the motion for the return of fluff. Does anyone on this forum *not* make shadows?
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
I don't know about that....maybe they live in darkness and they can't. Or maybe their shadows freak them out. Any groundhogs here?
Posts: 68 | Registered: Jan 2004
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posted
bench press. You know, back in my body for life days I would have thought that would be a great way to solve democracies problems. more votes for buff folks.
Posts: 11017 | Registered: Apr 2003
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