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Reichael Ch

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If you could experience a mental illness for 24 hours, would you want to?

After 24 hrs you would return to your original self.
What illness would you want to experience?
What would you hope to learn?

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Closing Statement from Reichael Ch

I understand what you mean Jared Krein, I probably could have worded the question a little bit better.

I agree with you that mental illnesses aren't something to take lightly. Still, as someone who also lives with mental illnesses I truly believe a person's attitude towards mental health and it's surrounding issues change. I'm not referring to their view point, they still remain empathetic however I feel they are more willing to something and create a change instead of just commenting and voicing their support.

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  • Jared Krein

    • +1
    Aug 9 2012: Though the support is really awesome, I feel like there's a naivety in saying that you'd want to live with a mental illness (or, should I say, "anomaly") for 24 hours. I live with depression and OCD, and once lived with what appeared to be a schizo-effective disorder, and it's just not fun. To put it lightly. Maybe I'm just trying to act cynical about some of the comments below, but more thought needs to go into a question like this than just well-intended empathy.

  • Chelsea Banks

    • 0
    Jul 26 2012: i would do it in a heartbeat. i think it would be good to experience a few (on different days, not all at once) because there is nothing better than personal experience to create understanding and empathy. i always try to do all i can to better understand my fellow humans, so that i can be kind and helpful to them.
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    Tracy Fitzpatrick

    • +2
    Jul 16 2012: i LIVE with mental illness 24/7 and it is not fun. i think that if everyone could see what it is like to live with mental illness...the stigma, the doctors, the criticism, the meds, difficult relationships, etc....everyone would be better off!
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      Debra Smith 200+

      • 0
      Jul 16 2012: Well said Tracey and the answer for me is: Honestly no, I would be too fearful.
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    pratham parekh

    • 0
    Jul 14 2012: i would like to extend these 24 hours whatever illness i get , mental illness is blessings in disguise

  • Dan Geurin 10+

    • 0
    Jul 14 2012: I want the highest highs of manic depression for 24 hours. I want all of the energy and euphoria with none of the bad stuff on the other side.
    Either that or OCD around tax time :)

  • Barry Palmer 50+

    • 0
    Jul 13 2012: I have known people with mental illness. I would not bear that suffering for 5 minutes voluntarily.
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    Debra Smith 200+

    • 0
    Jul 13 2012: Man, this is one of those really terrible (please do not be offended) questions like 'if you had a penis for 24 hours what would you do?" Terrible because it would be a lost 24 hours for me.

    So I guess, I have to second Edwsrd Long on this. If Alzheimers is possibly on many of our horizons, I would like to be forearmed and forwarned so I can really get my ducks in a row.
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    Lejan . 30+

    • 0
    TED Translator
    Jul 13 2012: On mental related issues I prefer 'anomalies' over 'illness', as it reflects better its comparative classification. On this premise I would choose to experience autism as I would hope to get a better understanding for the hidden vastness of my mind.
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    Robert Winner 50+

    • 0
    Jul 12 2012: I would select schizophrenia. Then when I returned in 24 hours I would have a face to associate with the voices.

    All the best. Bob.
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    edward long 100+

    • +1
    Jul 12 2012: Alzheimer's. I would hope to learn if there are intermittent periods of freedom from symptoms during which one only has time to realize one's torment, but not enough time to tell anyone what you are enduring before relapsing into diminished mental function.
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    Krisztián Pintér 200+

    • +1
    TED Translator
    Jul 12 2012: schizophrenia
    because i hope it sheds a light on the most interesting and less known mental function: imagination, association, metaphor
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