Stigma of Mental Illness
- Thread starter Sibyl
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I honestly don't know at this point. 
It's very difficult to be honest. I was lucky that when I was suffering from depression I had very supportive friends and family. I also talked to a councillor for a little while which helped for a bit. I think it's important to be honest and not apologetic when discussing your condition.
I also foubd myself saying that I knew other people had problems too (many far worse) in an attempt to keep perspective and not come across winey. Whether or not I was right to do this or if I was diminishing my own condition I still don't know.
I also foubd myself saying that I knew other people had problems too (many far worse) in an attempt to keep perspective and not come across winey. Whether or not I was right to do this or if I was diminishing my own condition I still don't know.
I know that in the past I've acted on my suicidal thoughts, first because I honestly would've rather been dead, but also because I thought that I couldn't actually tell anyone the way I was feeling because people don't take depression seriously and I felt like I would just be looked at as an attention seeker or worse, would've been a burden on them.
I've also gathered that the majority of people out there that either don't suffer from a deficiency or deny that they do feel that anyone with depression or another brain abnormality can "just get over it."
There's a great cartoon that I'll have to try to find about what it would be like if we treated people with physical ailments the way we treat mental illness. The problem is that I'm afraid that even if you show healthy people, they'll dismiss it.
I have layer upon layer of mental and emotional deficiencies and injuries and I have a hard time explaining it to people that look at me as if I'm just stupid. I've spent some time in mental health wards after suicide attempts and I can tell you that I'm higher functioning than many of the people I was surrounded by, but I think that makes it all that much more difficult for people to understand my condition.
I just wish there were an easy and understandable way of letting people know that yes, I operate on a different wavelength from most people. I wish I didn't, but please give me a little room to make mistakes as I certainly will.
Most people don't understand the feeling of being pissed that you actually woke up, not early nor late, but at all.
I've also gathered that the majority of people out there that either don't suffer from a deficiency or deny that they do feel that anyone with depression or another brain abnormality can "just get over it."
There's a great cartoon that I'll have to try to find about what it would be like if we treated people with physical ailments the way we treat mental illness. The problem is that I'm afraid that even if you show healthy people, they'll dismiss it.
I have layer upon layer of mental and emotional deficiencies and injuries and I have a hard time explaining it to people that look at me as if I'm just stupid. I've spent some time in mental health wards after suicide attempts and I can tell you that I'm higher functioning than many of the people I was surrounded by, but I think that makes it all that much more difficult for people to understand my condition.
I just wish there were an easy and understandable way of letting people know that yes, I operate on a different wavelength from most people. I wish I didn't, but please give me a little room to make mistakes as I certainly will.
Most people don't understand the feeling of being pissed that you actually woke up, not early nor late, but at all.
For me it's always helped to have someone to talk to about it. I think support groups and counseling help alot. I've also been in mental hospital before as well. I think it even helps coming here and you can see people with similiar interests. I don't have that in my offline world. No friends and my family doesn't like anything I like, just about.
I would also encourage people to actually try and use your flaws and try and do creative things. It doesn't even matter if you write the worst short story ever or tale the most unfunny jokes. Trying is it's own reward.
Jason
I would also encourage people to actually try and use your flaws and try and do creative things. It doesn't even matter if you write the worst short story ever or tale the most unfunny jokes. Trying is it's own reward.
Jason
A bit of advice I sometimes give to patients is to think in terms of how you can influence people's perceptions. If you treat a thing as normalised then that goes a long way towards making it so. If you see it as a sign of weakness, an embarrassing taboo subject then you are reinforcing that very perception and increasing the likelihood others will find the subject embarrassing in turn.
Allow people to get to know you in the broader sense and treat the illness no differently to a physical ailment, it is a simple fact which is part of being you, not a summary of your identity
You wouldn't define yourself by asthma or angina, why would schizophrenia or depression be any different?
Mental illness is far more common than most people realise and there's a fair chance that any given person you speak to has either suffered themselves or knows someone who has but is equally as embarrassed or unsure as you are.
Allow people to get to know you in the broader sense and treat the illness no differently to a physical ailment, it is a simple fact which is part of being you, not a summary of your identity
You wouldn't define yourself by asthma or angina, why would schizophrenia or depression be any different?
Mental illness is far more common than most people realise and there's a fair chance that any given person you speak to has either suffered themselves or knows someone who has but is equally as embarrassed or unsure as you are.
Find the right people to talk to. People who have been there tend to "get it", although not all will be open about talking about it.
Those who don't "get it" are hopeless, don't even try. Even if you love them, it's like talking to a wall.
Those who don't "get it" are hopeless, don't even try. Even if you love them, it's like talking to a wall.
Even on my good days I find that I have incredibly self destructive thoughts. I certainly have some private behaviours that cause me a great deal of trouble. I just don' think I could share them with anybody. However, having said all that I am much more comfortable with myself now than I ever was in the past. It's not about control your thoughts it's about managing your thoughts. Mindfullness really helped me come to terms with myself. I have told a few people I'm friendly with about my issues but even with the most open and understanding of them talking about depression or anxiety is a bit of a conversation destroyer.
There was an awkward point last year where a depressive (me) was the carer for someone suicidal (Mrs Rune). I finally broke myself and realised life (then) could not be handled alone.
Counselling was the hardest and best thing I did. And in my industry, regardless of its purported inclusiveness and support mechanisms, a whiff of MH can be a career staller/killer.
I'm learning to speak more openly with work colleagues, but if you aren't one of the bees these days it can be hard to go forward.
Hugo - found that listening to other people's problems and helping them through, helps him too
Counselling was the hardest and best thing I did. And in my industry, regardless of its purported inclusiveness and support mechanisms, a whiff of MH can be a career staller/killer.
I'm learning to speak more openly with work colleagues, but if you aren't one of the bees these days it can be hard to go forward.
Hugo - found that listening to other people's problems and helping them through, helps him too
I'm a recovering alcoholic and I've been dealing with major depression for more than eight years.
To me, the key is not allowing guilt to transform into shame -- because it's not my fault that I have problems, but it is my responsibility to deal with those problems. I spent a long time actively rejecting support groups, but the fact of the matter is that, at least in my experience, there's nothing better for a recovering drunk to talk to another recovering drunk, because people suffering from mental illness are a lot more alike than they are different.
Mental illness is in literally no way someone's fault. Body chemistry is still ridiculously esoteric, even with advanced medicine. So how does someone talk about it without wallowing in self-pity? Just admit to yourself and to someone that you trust that you're fucked up and you're trying to get better.
I can't reiterate this enough: There is nothing wrong with having mental illness. It is not one's fault.
I know I have depression, anxiety, dysphoria and show symptoms of childhood emotional neglect. I use some online support and I've been practicing mindfulness, which helps a lot. I have been to a therapist, but he said what I was doing would be what he recommended.
Do you see a therapist every week? I do and I think it helps to know that I have a outlet I can talk about my feelings with on a regular basis. Also if you have someone you really trust you might want to think about bringing them with you.
I go with my mom and I think it actually helps me relay some of my feelings towards her, with a third party person involved plus a doctor can help explain some of your issues to the other person in away you might not be able to.
Jason
Even therapists need therapists.
A lot of therapists became therapists because they had problems that they needed to deal with themselves.
I have a psychiatrist, but not a psychologist. I get my meds, but I don't have normal therapy.
I'm not actually all that worried about me right now. To tell the truth, I'm in a good place, comparatively.
It's places like these forums that I wish I could explain to people that I've had lifelong suicidal depression and only made things worse with traumatic brain damage caused by intentional insulin overdoses. I'm not right in the head and when I say that I'm not the smartest of the bunch, I'm not being self-deprecating, I'm just letting people that I will make mistakes.
Add to that GID and overbearing parents that will do anything for me, but hang it over my head.
I have a psychiatrist, but not a psychologist. I get my meds, but I don't have normal therapy.
I'm not actually all that worried about me right now. To tell the truth, I'm in a good place, comparatively.
It's places like these forums that I wish I could explain to people that I've had lifelong suicidal depression and only made things worse with traumatic brain damage caused by intentional insulin overdoses. I'm not right in the head and when I say that I'm not the smartest of the bunch, I'm not being self-deprecating, I'm just letting people that I will make mistakes.
Add to that GID and overbearing parents that will do anything for me, but hang it over my head.
I don't. There really aren't many in my area and my work hours would make it difficult. Going to one would definitely help though.
For me I go to place called Tallifero which I think is ran by the state of Oklahoma, which is basically a place to help people with mental illness. It has a outpatient and inpatient, which is basically a mental ward attached to the faculity.
It's possible you might have a place like that in your area. The way it worked for me is I first went to a outpatient area when I was first having so many intrusive thoughts I didn't know what was wrong with me. That was how I was official diagnosed. I was giving medicine and I was able to go talk to someone on a weekly basis.
What is also good about these places is they will work with you, when it comes up to setting up appointments for the best time to come and see someone. For example I don't have a car so I can only go in the late afternoon when my sister can take me so they work around that with me.
Have you been prescribed any medicine? That can also help. Also I think you might even notice that by talking with people some of the issue's might even get to a point where it's almost like you don't have them anymore.
For example I haven't had a panic attack in over a year or 2 and even my OCD seems to have gone down a little. I mean I still have it but it does seem to be more manageable. Depression seems to be the hardest one to shake because I think that comes from ourselves judging ourselves on a intellectual level were something like anxiety can come from a pure emotional reaction. At least that is my theory.
Best thing though I really,really believe in the idea of group meetings that involve a loved one. It helps let people who care about you see what your going through but with the safety of a expert on hand to help guide them through any ignorance they might have about a issue. My mom for example knows enough about OCD now to know I am not a dangerous person because of my OCD thoughts. I think she was scared at first when I started having my problems.
Jason
In my experience, counseling and group meetings only help if you TOTALLY commit to the
Program. And sorry, I also believe that religious programs -- while they can work -- won't help
someone who doesn't share that belief. Indeed, some find their guilt and shame growing in
this environment.
And who is to judge? Mental health is IMO just a label for emotional states that "normal" folk
use to protect themselves from their own demons. Especially in today's highly divided
political climate.
A good friend can make all the difference, even if that friend is only understanding text on a
screen. Having a solid Community, like this one, goes a long way. For the most part, we will
have your back.
Edit: I am also of the opinion that EVERYBODY has suicidal thoughts at one time or
another. Using this as a measure of MH is facetious and intellectually dishonest. It's a
pot and kettle thing to me.
Program. And sorry, I also believe that religious programs -- while they can work -- won't help
someone who doesn't share that belief. Indeed, some find their guilt and shame growing in
this environment.
And who is to judge? Mental health is IMO just a label for emotional states that "normal" folk
use to protect themselves from their own demons. Especially in today's highly divided
political climate.
A good friend can make all the difference, even if that friend is only understanding text on a
screen. Having a solid Community, like this one, goes a long way. For the most part, we will
have your back.
Edit: I am also of the opinion that EVERYBODY has suicidal thoughts at one time or
another. Using this as a measure of MH is facetious and intellectually dishonest. It's a
pot and kettle thing to me.
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I feel really depressed right now. Other than when I pay someone to listen to me...no one cares or tells me to get over it! Ugh.
E-counseling is becoming more common.
Honestly, in my experience, telling someone with mental illness generally don't want to be told to "get over it" as it is rarely helpful.
But, yeah, isolation and depression are very common, sadly
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