Normal, what is it?

[Hermit]

"Normal" is based on "norm", which is defined as "a standard, model, or pattern regarded as typical".

In so far as "normal" is defined as a statistic of some aspect or another in our lives as individuals, we all have plenty of it. Being male, for instance, I am normal insofar as I have a penis. If I was born and raised in Saudi Arabia, it would be normal for me to have attitudes about women that the majority of middle class west Europeans would normally find utterly disgusting. If I was born and raised in the USA, it would be more likely to view myself as a unique individual who cannot rightfully be pigeonholed as being normal, even though my views concerning the notion of individualism would be more normal there than anywhere else in occidental cultures.

I know I am not "normal". Thing is, I don't want to be.

From what I said above, this sentiment makes you overwhelmingly normal.

Seraph, I am bipolar.

Sorry for the misunderstanding. I thought you were talking about the meaning of the term "normal" in the social sense rather than mental peculiarities of neurological origin. Do carry on.

[DRSB]

I have this book "The Perfectly Normal Madness", by Francois Lelord and Christoph André. They describe all disorders and how we all fall somewhere on the continuum. We are all mad and normal at the same time.

[Tyrannical]

I think you should go back on your meds. You seemed to have had a radical behavior change during the ratskep times, and I long suspected the cause was lack of medication.

[Robert_S]

Normality would be crappy standard and a self defeating goal. At best I think it is something to "pass as".

Happiness, connectedness and dignity perhaps would be better things to set my sights on. I'll never feel normal because I get my idea of "normal" from other people. But that inevitably leads to me comparing my insides with their outsides. I'll always fall short that way.

Also, "mental health" has very limited meaning. Compare the mind to a heart. We consider a healthy heart as one that pumps blood reliably and will, if not interfered with, continue to do so for a long time. It's a specialized organ that fits in with all out other guts in a specific arrangement that helps us remain alive. But when it comes to a mind, if we use the same standard, all we can really require for it to be "healthy" is for it to keep us alive long enough to make some offspring capable of doing the same.

All other standards for "mental health" are things that we've made up.

[Even Adam]

For about 6 months I was horribly depressed, stemming from feelings of abnormality(or, as I described it at the time, subnormality). I recall describing 'normal' to my therapist as 'abnormal by a normal amount' and I felt abnormal by an abnormal amount. I'm happier now, because I'm feeling increasingly normal.

[normal]

This is really confusing

[JimC]

This is really confusing

Some people are feeling normal, so enjoy the stimulation while it lasts...

[Gawdzilla Sama]

"Being normal is highly over-rated. In fact it rather denoted a lack of courage."

[Gawdzilla Sama]

But it's still difficult to see how even educated people think my diagnosis means any moment I'll be up on the roof in a tutu, wielding a gun.

Well, you are a Ratz.

[Robert_S]

But it's still difficult to see how even educated people think my diagnosis means any moment I'll be up on the roof in a tutu, wielding a gun.

Well, you are a Ratz.

Merkin Ratz meet group photo idea?

[Bella Fortuna]

But it's still difficult to see how even educated people think my diagnosis means any moment I'll be up on the roof in a tutu, wielding a gun.

Well, you are a Ratz.

Merkin Ratz meet group photo idea?

Sorry, I remain morally opposed to tutus.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

But it's still difficult to see how even educated people think my diagnosis means any moment I'll be up on the roof in a tutu, wielding a gun.

Well, you are a Ratz.

Merkin Ratz meet group photo idea?

Sorry, I remain morally opposed to tutus.

Desmond is disappointed in you.

[hadespussercats]

Maybe we can just get together to feel Normal.

[Gawdzilla Sama]

Maybe we can just get together to feel Normal.

We?

[Gallstones]

I think you should go back on your meds. You seemed to have had a radical behavior change during the ratskep times, and I long suspected the cause was lack of medication.

Thank you Dr. Tyrannical.

I don't take meds. I won't take meds. Meds do not = normal, they = medicated.
I went the med route for several years, they didn't help. They caused effects I didn't like and won't accept again.
I am not a danger to anyone, never was; self harm definitely. But that is my right to assume that risk.

I needed an accurate diagnosis and information. That has stood me in better stead than medication.