September 11, 2026
Quite a few of my prior blog posts discuss the failings of the modern folk conception of mental health, both in its ability to absolve one of responsibility for their actions and for its essentializing character such that it becomes a defining component of one’s personality. Thus, I will refrain from harping on the same notes ad nauseam. This is relevant, however, insofar as someone remarked with surprise that I think of myself as formerly mentally ill, mostly at the concept that one can exist in this state.
There are events which leave an indelible mark on one’s soul; everything we experience necessarily changes us for better or worse. These marks shape our behavior. I do not believe that I act the same as I did before being sexually assaulted (for example), and some ways I act now can be remarked as a response to this. However, the illness lies in one’s feeling toward their own behavior and how this new pattern is treated by others. Given that one may change both of these, it is possible to achieve a recovery from acute events. This is the practical goal of most therapeutic techniques.
As for more chronic patterns, the model of former mental illness may follow that of any former behavior. These illnesses may be ingrained and only rectifiable with medication, but there are remedies nonetheless. In the same way I may have formerly been less talkative & more talkative, the same may be true for maladaptive traits of a greater magnitude. That one was once something does not necessarily mean that they will always be so, nor that they are incapable of such great change. Above, “it must be nice” is contained within that statement / implied statements expressing a sense of jealousy. Earnestly, it is quite pleasant to be less ill than I once was! Furthermore, I believe it is a blessing to believe that oneself is capable of fixing oneself! This too is a responsibility. If one is able to change oneself and can identify aspects which they would like to change, the act of change becomes the responsibility of one who would like to. Abdication of action allows one to ignore this and belies the folk conception of mental health.
This center of control does not mean that it is easy to change. Recovery takes longer than one would like. The first step is simply to desire a change, identify that a response is deleterious to oneself, and that this response should change. Once the desire to change exists, one may act in ways better aligned with the beliefs/behaviors one would like to have. Practice being the person you would like to be. As in any other behavior, there will be mistakes. Shame is its own emotion (this will be discussed in “why shame”); it prevents you from bettering yourself. Eventually, these actions & behaviors will become natural & the maladaptations will fall to the wayside. Here, former is the proper adjective.