Friends who don't believe in mental disorders.

[AllAreDone]

Hello there my lovelies. I have a problem I don't really know how to tackle. Most of my friends are supportive but I have at least 2 who don't believe mental disorders are serious, hard to control at times, or require medication.
One is very pragmatic and logical and thinks mental disorders are just the result of laziness, that's it's all in sufferers' heads, mental disorders don't need to be diagnosed, and lack of dedication for self-improvement. I love the guy though. He always manages to reassure me that I'll succeed if I keep trying.
The other friend, on the other hand, is very spiritual and a believer in alternative medicine, something I'm strongly opposed to unless it's one that has medical research behind it. He has even commented to me that he believes something like schizophrenia can be cured (forever) by a regimen of fasting overseen by a doctor and pointed to random website of so-called experts as proof. He also said that I should stop thinking that I need medication for the rest of my life when I know that if I want to manage my symptoms I'll need to deal with that. Rapid-cycling is just too much to reasonably handle.
What can I do to convince these people I'm trying my best? Thanks!

[In2worlds]

I just have to add to this. Been diagnosed recently with Bipolar and was wrongfully diagnosed with Major depression in High School already.

The worst thing about this illness is that people don't understand or simply doesn't care. In my case it's my Father, he's a medical Doctor and does not believe in depression. When I told him I was diagnosed his answer was "well I suppose we all suffer from something..."

I am very impatient with people who are impatient with my "situation", all of a sudden some people think they can start stepping on you when they hear of your illness. The fact is that there is no space or time in society for Depro people..

[learn314]

Have you ever just stop taking you meds just because. And found your in real physical pain . And after docter and more docter told theres nothing wrong but the pain is so extreme you feel your dying and know one is telling you the truth. Ive been on meds for 22years I was never told any thing about them I only know that I changed,. and not for the good .I stopped thinking or having and opinion. I didnt do hobbies any more and never stuck up for my self as a person either. I couldnt grow or make a clear dececsion and one day I a woke and I had an opinion and all of a sudden I felt cheated. What could I have been with out these drugs I'm left  with the feeling of being hurt by some one I trusted and lie to  for his on agender .the wonder of the human mind, but the physical pain I"m still working on every day could use some feedback .Which is better no pain no mind.

[adel_ezz]

the reason why people think we are not serious and should try to resolve our illness by ourselves is because they can see us in a good shape reasoning well and behaving well then they are surprised that we can change all of a sudden. so something awkward is going on here. so we should try to stay well. My father was one of them until he realised after a few years that the idea that i should try myself is not possible and that i should seek a pdoc. This is like a severe myope whom you ask to try to see well and he just can't and need a eyeglass.  

yet the idea of taking pills is killing because one becomes addictive to something, when you travel you count your drugs and feel safe. till when this will continue nobody knows.

i am positive that a day will come - not far away - when they can resolve this problem but this will take some time unfortunately

[paranoid_cataclysm]

This person has Crohn's disease for example and spent weeks trying natural remedies and going to natural healers and stuff and it finally took them ending up in the hospital to take the symptoms seriously.  Sad thing is this did not teach them a thing because they still say the same thing about mental illness.

[paranoid_cataclysm]

I know someone else who is exactly the same way as the latter person and seems like a good person as they try to help other people out even if the people refuse their help.  I just dodge the issue of mental illness around them to avoid an argument.

[AllAreDone]

Hm, well it ***** that things need to be this way. The former friend I've known for 4 years and I know this doesn't particularly affect our relationship. I'd just like it if he understood me better. The latter...well the last time I talked to him we had an argument about it. Hopefully things turn out well as he's an otherwise good person.
Thank you very much for your responses :)

[paranoid_cataclysm]

You can't change someone's mind if they don't want it to be changed.  Best just to tell them you don't want to discuss mental illness at all with them if they don't mind.  If they keep trying to shove their beliefs down your throat it might be best just to stop being around them as much.  I personally would stop talking and walk off the minute they started trying to bring up their heresy about mental illness.

[goldenmead]

I think there is little you are going to be able to do, to convince these friends to change their ways of thinking.  Some people just don't get it, and if they've never had the experience of seeing someone with a mental disorder, or experiencing it themselves,  they are not likely to be sympathetic.  Rather than try to convince them, relax and let things be.  
I had a friend many years ago, who said something like, "People shouldn't have to take pills when something bothers them, they should just get over it".  Years later, I have met her again, and guess what? She is seeing a psychiatrist, and on medication.  And I am there for her even though she never understood, when I needed her.