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Stigma & Mental Illness
Albeit shameful and ignorant that it is almost 2012, and many of us are still confronted with biases. judgements and disparate treatment, I encourage all to hold your head up high. I know what it's like to be looked at differently because of a label, diagnosis or even someones inability to look deeper than the surface.
I often ask myself why some folks behave the way they behave and perhaps I will never find an honest answer. I hypothesize that perhaps there is something in me that may remind someone of themselves or that perhaps that, until recently, I had always functioned so well that those with certain belief systems or stereo-types feel that they are experts on who I am.
I recently posted on ECT and the benefits for me as an individual. Talk therapy is also important because it allows us to process, in a safe and healthy forum, the things that people have said or done to us. I recall when I first requested FMLA at work and a person made the comment "If you cannot report to work maybe you should not work". I was requesting intermittent leave because the stigma and disparate treatment was taking it's toll and this so called healthy individual was so insensitive.
I know we have come a long way but we still have a long way to go. Stigma is one reason some don't admit that something ails them nor seek help. We all have to use our voices, our stories, our expertise (on who were are) and continue to raise awareness about the importance of treating others the way in which one would like to be treated, not selective respect and equality but across the board.
Being good to one another should not be based on pre-conceived notions that certain populations are more worthy than others. We are valuable individuals with strengths, creativity, feelings and we contribute to society wholeheartedly and should always be viewed and treated as such!
Have you been treated differently lately? How did you deal with it?
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I am so very proud of you! You have single-handedly lifted my spirits ...
Hugs,
Rox
Some people simply need a heart. Some of the most educated are the one's mistreating others.
Nonetheless, education and increased awareness is important.
Rox
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1 ReactionIn my situation everyone is educated and many have licenses. In addition to mental health awareness, there also needs to be increased and vigilant policies around the treatment and discrimination of individuals living with any illness.
And, bias, selective discrimination, defamation and hurtful behaviors should never be tolerated in our society, schools nor work.
We have come a long way but we still have so much more to do around eradicating stigma and it's effects.
Hugs,
Rox
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1 ReactionEven if doctors are licensed, I still feel like they don't understand. I have a hard time trusting them, but they have a hard time trusting me too it seems. . .
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1 ReactionI guess I'm blessed in this area because I have two doctors who are great and have shown me that they genuinely care about my well-being. I cannot say this about previous doctors but my current one's are amazing. I'm here because of them...I know this.
Like with any relationship in life we have to weed out the bad until we find the good. I also think that gender is important ...to me anyway.
Hugs,
Rox
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1 ReactionI mean there are a few doctors I like, but my previous experiences with docs makes me EXTREMELY reluctant to go to new ones.
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1 ReactionClaire,
Just like we try different medications until we find what works we have to do the same with doctors until one finds a good match. I know it's time consuming and telling one's story over and over can feel tedious but I think it's all worth it. The day you find the right doctor you will have renewed hope.
How was your holiday weekend?
Hugs,
Rox
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1 ReactionHi my dear friends many of you will remember my story of Mark. I saw him again today and he is doing so well and trying so hard. I don;t know if he remembers me or not. But everytime i see him i say hello and i giive him a warm smile and he returns one back to me. I feel as if i did make a difference even if it was a little one. I hope i did anyway
Hugs piglit
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1 ReactionThank you for your advice, it's quite helpful. My holiday weekend was good. I got to go to the mall with a friend, my family helped another family move in, and . . . it was an all-around good weekend. Nothing out-of-the-ordinary, but it still was extraordinary.
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1 ReactionIf only more people like you existed....
Hugs,
Rox
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