Someone told me that he/she was afraid of me because I am (100% s/c) mentally ill. Are you afraid of mentally ill people?

SPC Margaret Higgins Don't sweat what a bunch of idiots think, CPO Joseph Grant is right.

Don't take this as a flip answer because it's not. If you hear voices telling you to kill people then, yes, you'd worry me. If it's depression, PTSD, Bi-Polar or what have you then no I wouldn't. Me, I'm 100% for PTSD. I stopped telling people why I'm disabled because most expected me to climb a bell tower and start shooting. Is that what you're dealing with?

I would by extremely cautious with using terms like "mentally ill." I wouldn't consider conditions like PTS or some other conditions that are by products of services to be anything in this category. I could see why one would say they are afraid of person that claims they are mentally ill. I have dealt with those that are mentally ill when I was a cop. They are incapable of leading a normal life and can be potential dangerous. One of the worst cases I seen was a Vietnam Vet. He pulled a knife and was trying to fight people. He thought he was in Vietnam still. I got to sit with him until he was evaluated due to his capacity for violence. There was no reasoning with him. He was too far gone. A person like him I could see why one would be afraid. But to claim such a mental illness in open conversation can be damaging to the veteran community. I have dealt with my issues. Few even know what I have dealt with and what my issues have developed into. It is not for trying to hide it but I have no need to inform everyone that I have suffered from such challenges. As I said I would be very cautious. If I were a police officer still and someone told me they are mentally ill I am going to assume the worst.