What do you Tell Someone Who Doesn't Believe Mental Illnesses Exist?

[ChristineN]

Perhaps you psych nurses don't encounter many of these types of people, but I've been debating one recently. He believes that since the autopsy of the brain won't prove the deceased had bi-polar, ADHD, SAD, or any other mental illness, they don't exist. He thinks people just claim to have mental illnesses due to pride and mis-information, and that all they need is a little counseling (perferably from a "religious leader") and they'll see the error of their life of lies. Suggestions anyone?

[tami.green]

Hard to believe the ignorance out there. There are some pretty amazing pictures of brain activity that your friend would have a hard time disputing. Especially interesting is the brain development of kids that have had trauma. The brain actually grows differently and they have poor impulse contol because of it. Sooner or later your friend will have someone in his life that will make him consider the possibility of a different scenario. Until then you will probably have to agree to disagree.

Tami