Is it normal that i'm afraid of the mentally ill?

59% Normal
31 Comments

Examples: people with down syndrome, retardation, brain damage, drug issues ect.

One time, I saw a girl with down syndrome in a cart at the store, instantly, my heart started pounding, and I wanted to get out asap.

For starters, I don't mean in a mean way. I understand that they're people too, and I respect them, and those who are nice to them.

But it just feels like there's this block between me and them. I don't understand what they're thinking, or why they do the things that they do.

Some may be erratic, and that's one thing that scares me.
It's like, there's a person, an adult sometimes, but something's very wrong.

I'm okay with animals and people, though.

I'd like to be different, so that I could be more accepting of their kind.

Voting Results
59% Normal
Based on 27 votes (16 yes)
Help us keep this site organized and clean. Thanks!
[ Report Post ]
Comments ( 31 )
  • charli.m
    6 years ago

    None of that is mental illness. It's cognitive impairment.

    It's normal to be unsettled by stuff/people/situations you're not exposed to often. If you're around people with differences more often, you can unlearn that.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    4
    4
  • Pink-pumpkin
    6 years ago

    Well, it's totally normal if you're worried when you're surrounded by a crazy ass person, they could be dangerous. However... a mentally challenged person isn't dangerous, maybe you just feel uncomfortable in front of them.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    3
    3
  • otooy1204
    6 years ago

    BOO!! I have autism and bipolar, did I scare you?

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    2
    2
  • Bobtailcatgirl
    6 years ago

    Mybee you should learn more about them and try to understand them.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • Checkmate_King
    6 years ago

    Because tight knees inhibit a quick getaway

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • paramore93
    6 years ago

    It's likely you talk to people with mental health problems every day, but just don't realise it.
    Not many people open with 'Hi I'm blah blah, I hear voices and I'm being spied on by NASA'.
    You just don't know what's going on inside somebody's head.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
      -
    • [Old Memory]
      6 years ago

      This is true. Mental illness isn't noticeable right away unless they are extremely low functioning. The craziest people I've met seem normal until you live with them.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      2
      2
    • OwOWhatsThis
      6 years ago

      but I do hear voices and I am being spied on by NASA

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • fakeaccount2
    6 years ago

    is it a fear of the attention they draw? i think it's that for me, it just feels really cringey how I've seen some people react to them and then I get nervous that someone will be an asshole to them and it will be awkward. or that they might need something and i won't know what

    Also, i feel that same uncomfortable feeling for autistic people who are around NTs, personally when it's just me and an autistic person, that's cool. but then I've seen NTs misinterpret and react to autistic behavior rudely and Im always afraid there will be a fight/argument or something.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
  • [Old Memory]
    6 years ago

    You already asked this. You're probably mentally ill.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    1
    1
      -
    • [Old Memory]
      6 years ago

      This is getting annoying, and I don't even know what post you guys are even talking about. I joined in September or October 2017.

      How about posting a useful response, instead of falsely accusing me of trolling?

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
        -
      • [Old Memory]
        6 years ago

        Pathological lying is a sign of mental illness.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        2
        2
          -
        • [Old Memory]
          6 years ago

          Forget this. Unfortunately, I can't prove that I'm telling the truth.

          But you shouldn't be so certain that I'm lying, because you can't prove that either.

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          0
          0
      • nikkiclaire
        6 years ago

        There have been about 5 of these posts in the last week.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        1
        1
  • Emokate
    6 years ago

    I see someone who is actually suffering from this, other than drugs, maybe, MAYBE Once a year. Where are you that this is so prevelent?

    And why do you keep posting the same things over and over again.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • [Old Memory]
      6 years ago

      Once a year? Sounds like you probably don't get out much. However most mental illnesses are not noticeable at all until you get to know them. Down Syndrome isn't even a mental illness. It's a chromosome disorder.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      3
      3
        -
      • Emokate
        6 years ago

        I was commenting on the examples given, which are of course, noticeable.

        How many downs kids do you run into in a year? How many retarded or brain damaged people? Me, not often, and I live in major urban city.

        I agree mental illness is often unnoticeable but if it can't be noticed there is no reason for fear initially as O.P suggested.

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        1
        1
          -
        • [Old Memory]
          6 years ago

          I see people with chromosomal disorders all the time but I know people with all kinds of disabilities. More severe cases are noticeable but most the time these people blend right in and their symptoms only show when you get to know them. I'm a bit autistic and its not really noticeable if someone is talking to me, but over time people can tell I'm kind of weird. You likely know several people with mental disabilities and don't even know. It's only the few very low functioning people that are obvious.

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          1
          1
            -
          • Emokate
            6 years ago

            That's my point. OP is railing against something they likely rarely encounter.

            Comment Hidden ( show )
            0
            0
              -
            • [Old Memory]
              6 years ago

              Yes, I rarely see people who're obviously mentally handicapped. That's probably part of my problem; I'm not used to it.

              Comment Hidden ( show )
              0
              0
    • [Old Memory]
      6 years ago

      Haha, I've never posted anything like this before. It was a different person.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      -5
      -5
        -
      • [Old Memory]
        6 years ago

        I got thumbed down to hell just because I corrected a misunderstanding? Wth?

        Comment Hidden ( show )
        -1
        -1
          -
        • Emokate
          6 years ago

          Idek. I didn't.

          Comment Hidden ( show )
          0
          0
  • Checkmate_King
    6 years ago

    You won't likely know until they crack without warning. Keep your eyes open and your knees loose.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • [Old Memory]
      6 years ago

      Why should I keep my knees lose?

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • Checkmate_King
    6 years ago

    Because tight knees inhibit a quick getaway

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Checkmate_King
    6 years ago

    Because tight knees inhibit a quick getaway

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • horny_simpletons
    6 years ago

    I understand being afraid of people who are prone to violent behavior, but PLEASE don't assume all people with mental illness or developmental disabilities are crazy/violent. Most are not. As for drug addiction, my mother works in a behavioral health/rehab facility and some of the addicts are prone to violence, but only when they're detoxing. Just don't judge people before you know what they're like. I'm bipolar and an aspie, and I behave age-appropriate and I won't hurt anybody unless it's in self-defense.

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
      -
    • [Old Memory]
      6 years ago

      Yeah, I do try to avoid assuming bad things about mentally ill people. My guard is still up somewhat, but I hide it.

      Comment Hidden ( show )
      0
      0
  • donteatstuffoffthesidewalk
    6 years ago

    i dont liketa be round anyone wiggin out on hard drugs neither

    its the unpredictability what makes me wanna move away from em

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0
  • Jimmydoge
    6 years ago

    maybe they are scared of you

    Comment Hidden ( show )
    0
    0