Proud to be mad, as in crazy?

Well, why not? It has worked for the self-esteem and public regard of many groups to flaunt pride in their own circumstances or achievements -- especially when the group has been stigmatized. Some folks are proud to be women, some to be black, some to be gay and some to be seniors. It's not as though most people involved in the mad pride movement are saying they're proud of how they feel or what they experience or do when they're in episodes of mental disorder. It seems to be more often about pride in survival of the disorders -- and, sometimes, the treatments. Others say the disorders have given them insights or creativity.

The New York Times ran this story on some mad pride events and a couple examples of people who've achieved a lot, in spite of their disorders -- or because of the disorders. From my own experience of working in the mental health field, most people with these disorders have a lot to be proud of. The courage they show in just getting out of bed in the morning is often more than most people have faced in their lives.

In fact, it has always struck me how incredibly tenacious so many people with these disorders are in their struggles to achieve meaningful lives. Some, like the women featured in the NY Times article, are super-achievers. Some are just naturally so. Other individuals with serious mental health disorders have struggled above and beyond to reach heights of career achievement and personal satisfaction most of us don't even consider. Why they do so may be the same reason that certain people from other oppressed and stigmatized groups are over-achievers; the feeling that they have to prove themselves, and there's the rub.

This phenomena may be most obvious among the super-mom generation, women who're trying to be great mothers and wives, while also being full-time career stars, cooks, housekeepers and more. Trying to manage a serious mental health disorder and all that that entails, work oneself up a career ladder and still have some semblance of a quality personal life is certainly heroic. I applaud those who can do it.

Yet, as for the super woman group, I also have to applaud all of the people who simply choose to keep their lives in order and find some meaning, even without pursuing grand dreams. The pioneers of mad pride and all those following their own recovery path will prove to themselves and the public that they include talented, intelligent and contributing members of society.

There will be people who virtually sacrifice themselves as martyrs to this cause.

Some will even find balance and thrive while achieving the the traditionally admired professions.

Then, there will be those everyday heroes who simply try to achieve some balance of love and work (Freud's opinion of what people need) in their lives, as most people are trying to do.

For people with serious mental health disorders, this is often and already a tall order.