From time to time it is necessary to concede that the advice of a Professional is necessary. There are many reasons one might consult a Professional; health, money, job seeking are a couple of areas where advice can be helpful. Unfortunately said Professional is prone to labelling conditions after a diagnosis. You may find yourself regarded as depressed, in debt, or unemployed. Labels that stick.
The naming, or labelling, of an ailment can provide relief, instructing us about courses of action. For family and friends a diagnosis can bring information, understanding. A diagnosis can also come loaded with fear, dread, misinformation and pre-determined treatments.
Why is seeking care a concession?
For me asking for help requires a concession that I am unable to look after myself and that’s a position of vulnerability. It’s hard to do and exacerbated, in part, by the attitude of some medical practitioners, not to mention the resource constrained system in which they operate. The readiness with which a prescription is dispensed scares me, I worry that my natural immunity may be compromised by medication. I have no patience for being an obedient patient whose treatment is dictated to her. I expect my health advisors, doctors and specialists, to consider me a client,and one who wants to be informed about treatment options and active in decisions affecting her well being..
Mottsu did not wish to give up, or concede, his powers of self determination to any helping authority who might have forcibly held him and drugged him. He knew better than to disclose his darkest thoughts and be detained in treatment. He held onto himself and used his strength for his own self determination. The church, the law, and society in general condemn his suicide as wrong. I mourn for my loss but I think it is the medical system and not the man who needed to concede to the wishes of the other.
Better ways of caring are required.