Mental Illness And Stigma

Mental Illness Stigma - Psychology, Special Needs, Health - Posted: 23rd Jun, 2004 - 4:46pm

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Posts: 6 - Views: 817
19th Jun, 2004 - 5:35pm / Post ID: #

Mental Illness And Stigma

Many of my family members suffer from severe depression. I have battled with it occasionally myself. The majority of the population can't fathom what it feels like to want to take your own life. They look at depressive people as lazy or just wanting attention. And what about those suffering with Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Boarderline Personality Disorder and other such illnesses of the like? Many people don't understand them and they are labeled as PSYCHO or Crazy. There is a major stigma in this world for those whom have chemical imbalances of the brain or grew up in a majorly dysfunctional environment. Even with recent scientific breakthroughs and the growing population of mental health care professionals, not being "normal" is frowned upon. Has anyone felt the pain of this stigma? What do you do to cope with mental illness?



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19th Jun, 2004 - 5:41pm / Post ID: #

Stigma Illness Mental

I think this is a good topic, we have a special section for this actually, but it is only available for Mature group users so I am going to give Mature access. As for the topic itself, I know exactly what you mean, not that any immediately among me has suffered with mental illness, but addiction (which can also seen as a mental illness).



Post Date: 22nd Jun, 2004 - 8:07pm / Post ID: #

Mental Illness And Stigma
A Friend

Mental Illness And Stigma Health & Special Psychology

Yeah, I understand what it's like to be stigmatized for emotional problems. I've suffered from pretty severe depression for the past 13 years, and there really is a lot of stigmatization.

There have been a lot of opportunities and things that I have missed out on because of my depression, and no one understands. They seem to think that it's something that you can just brush off and get over. It's frustrating, and isolating, it seems that whenever I let someone know about some of my feelings they turn on me.

QUOTE (DivaMegs)
The majority of the population can't fathom what it feels like to want to take your own life.

This is something I notice a lot. What's funny about it, is that for me it's completely unfathomable why people have such a strong desire to live.

I don't know what to do about depression, medications can help a little bit, but they never take it all away. Mostly I just curl up in a ball and weep for hours when I'm feeling really down, or go for a walk or run. Any of those things seem to help, but not always.

As for how do I cope with my depression in relation to others, I joke about it and dodge the subject. For example, I don't date at all, because of depression, and so when someone asks why I don't date I tell them that it seems pointless because I'm a Congenital Anosmic. They ask what that means and I tell them that it means I'll be dead by the time I'm 25. They get really quiet and embarrased for a moment, then I tell them that I'm just joking, and that it actually means I can't smell. They are so relieved, and so surprised that I can't smell that they stop asking why I don't date.

23rd Jun, 2004 - 3:24am / Post ID: #

Stigma Illness Mental

Ramsus, you sound exactly like my husband. He didn't date or anything hardly ever. He completed his mission and that was a feat by itself. I almost literally had to drag him to the temple. He just didn't want to "inflict" himself on anyone. But I knew we needed to be together even though I had no idea how hard these last two years would be. Major depression is so much more serious then most anyone gives it credit. There are so many labels thrown around. Especially in a predominatly LDS area. I grew up in California with a bunch of drama junkies that were experimenting with everything from drugs to their own sexuality because they just weren't feeling all right inside. When I was first diagnosed, I was so naive. I wanted to write a book and single handedly banish stigma in Utah. I think I was manic. But then They told me I wasn't even bipolar that I was just suffering from my husband's illness. The depression had started to saturate us both. And now, after becoming more independent from him and even separating for a short time, I know that I too am ....broken? That's how it feels anyway. The closest a psychologist has come to diagnosing me since the bipolar thing was our latest theory that I suffer from Boarderline Personality Disorder. Yeah, after some research, I'd rather be bipolar. At least I'd get manic episodes every once in a while. Instead I get episodes of rage where I hate the world and I just want to hurt something, somebody, usually my husband gets the wrath. It's not a good mix. But things are getting better. Sometimes they feel like it's all over and there's nothing left and the world is worthless anyway and what's the point if we all get to go to some degree of heaven. Anything has got to be bettr than this, right? Somehow I know that I need to stay down here and suffer because the more I suffer, the better the afterlife will be, or at least that's what I keep telling myself. and..... it seems to work. People do understand though. they are just few and far between.



Post Date: 23rd Jun, 2004 - 6:14am / Post ID: #

Mental Illness And Stigma
A Friend

Stigma Illness Mental

For me, the stigma of mental illness began at age 8 when I started seeing my first therapist. This was back in '73- things were much worse then! I would have to leave school early for my appointments. My classmates started asking me why I had to keep having early dismissals. I lied and said I had leukemia.

Anyway, I'm a recovering alkie/junkie (clean 9 years now) w/ bipolar & PTSD (incest survivor). I've been on disability since '97. I have an extensive psych history, including 3 hospitalizations (one was an actual certification). I was even an FDA test subject for Pamelor in 1980-81. I've taken too many meds and seen dozens of professionals.

But my focus is on today and the future. I'm fairly stable on my meds, have a managable and satisfying home/private life, have a great support system. I'm involved in volunteer work, am a member of my local UU church, etc. I want to go back to work. I miss being self-sufficient.

My husband and I are working on starting our own business. We're both quite experienced. I'm not going into the specifics of that right now. However, what I will share is this: in our case my mental illness may actually be a benefit. The Small Business Administration is a strong advocate for assisting those with disabilities, and also for working with minorities (no, I'm caucasian), in this case, women. I will therefore be a likely candidate for SBA services.

As far as considering suicide goes... An old, beloved, recovered (meaning he passed on sober) AA sponsor told me the main thing that has kept me from ending my life. He said to me, "Chris, you've go NO BUSINESS robbing [your Higher Power] of a servant!" He was absolutely right.

Post Date: 23rd Jun, 2004 - 4:46pm / Post ID: #

Mental Illness And Stigma
A Friend

Mental Illness And Stigma

QUOTE (DivaMegs)
He just didn't want to "inflict" himself on anyone.

Yep, sounds just like me. I'm making lots of progress though, I imagine that if I ever get married my wife will just have to periodically assure me that she doesn't hate me.

Fugitive, that's rough. I'm sorry that you've had such a rough past, but I'm glad that things are looking good for now and the future.

For me, the thing that keeps me from suicide is the knowledge that I would have to face my maker. He would be so mad, it would make anything here seem like a lark. So no matter how bad it is here, I would much rather stick it out and hope to make things change, then face my unhappy father in heaven.

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