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I was in meetings all morning, so I'm late posting. The whole idea that someone would actually want me in a long meeting, well, it's something I couldn't have imagined when I was really ill. For that reason, I actually like meetings. They make me feel like I'm part of the normal world. I can complain with everyone else afterward, "Wow, that was long. Whew! I thought it'd never end!" But secretly, I love it. Every meeting feels like an accomplishment.
Liz Spikol is senior contributing editor of Philadelphia Weekly. She writes the award-winning column The Trouble With Spikol, which began as a chronicle of her struggle with mental illness, and has since expanded into humorous musings on everything from graphic novels to how to use a mop. She also writes the paper's book review column, Lit Gloss. This blog -- named one of the Top 10 Bipolar Blogs of 2007 by PsychCentral -- is about mental illness policy, news, personal journeys and more.
Comments
I tend to like meetings also, especially when they involve my area, web development. They make me use my mind constructively especially when I'm depressed. Though if I'm hypomanic I can unfortunately be cocky and condescending. I regret that.
Posted by: Tony | October 17, 2007 03:54 PM
I know exactly what you mean. When I was *really* ill, I couldn't work for 6 weeks. At my doctor's prodding, I went back back to work, and found he was right - having a job gives you a lot of self confidence. It makes me feel "normal". I can do it so well that no one even suspects I'm mentally ill, nor will I ever tell (I don't want to be discriminated against).
I don't take being a productive, contributing member of society for granted, that's for sure!
It takes HARD WORK, and most people just would not be able to understand...
Posted by: KansasSunflower | October 17, 2007 10:48 PM
I grew up with family members that thought I was mentally feeble, hence, I too love meetings. They make me feel so legitimate.
Posted by: Sally | October 18, 2007 09:30 AM
I hate meetings! I heard once that nobody is as dumb on their own as they are in a meeting.
Nice to know somebody likes them.
Posted by: Phil | October 18, 2007 11:23 AM
Mtgs can go both ways for me. Sometimes I can feel good that Im actually there participating and other times I realize that I havent slept in days and how I should let my treatment team know that my new meds are making me high as a kite. So I guess for me mtgs are more of a checkpoint of where I am in the scheme of things no matter the direction Im headed.
Posted by: Katy | October 19, 2007 12:37 AM