Concern about what others will think of your mental illness

Posted by Roxie43 @roxie43, Jan 11, 2012

Happy New Year's All,
I have read many of your posts and have also shared some experiences. I think Mayo Clinic is great for allowing us the opportunity to express how we feel, make connections and support one another. I recently learned that a loved one was diagnosed with a mental illness and he has been very paranoid about everything from the diagnosis itself, the thought of taking any medications but more importantly he has been concerned about what others will think of him and how he will be treated.
I guess, I am at a stage in my life where I don't see living with a mental illness as a contributing factor of my worth. This stage in the recovery process has taken many years of therapy but more important the unconditional love and acceptance that I have been lucky to have received from immediate loved ones/family has been a contributing factor.
Another factor is that it is very important for everyone to understand that living with a mental illness does not have to mean that one has to give up on life, on hopes and dreams. It does take a lot of work and sometimes it even means developing thick skin because unfortunately there are always those that lack compassion and sensitivity.
As a professional, I want you to know that I have met more people with serious challenges working helping others, when the first thing they should be doing is getting help for themselves. Kind of reminds me of "Do as I say not as I do". It's denial and I am sure you have seen this as well. The workaholic, the micromanager, the anal retentive perfectionists who is quick to make you feel worthless because they feel this way about self. Then we may have loved ones who really do not understand our condition but they should be educating themselves so they can be less judgemental and more supportive.
Just like any illness, those living with one need to know they are still loved, respected, worthy, intelligent, creative, and can still be major contributor's to their families and communities.
If you have time, google famous people with mental illnesses and you will be surprised how many people live with illnesses and lived and/or live wonderful lives in addition to struggling.
I know how it feels to be frowned at, talked about, lied about, and made to feel totally stigmatized by a label. I am at a different place today and I am grateful for this. Today, I believe that people who judge what they are unaware of or are even indignant towards others sometimes act foolishly because they have their own issues and the difference is that I am dedicated to my well being. There is no time for denial. It does not matter what the label is.
If something ails you, please get help, educate yourself, educate your loved ones, know your rights and always keep in mind...................You Are Not Alone!
Let's try to have a blessed year, be better people and first and foremost take care of ourselves (we deserve all of the blessings coming our way).
Best,

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Mental Health Support Group.

Aceptance a big word that most have problems with. Unconditional I have struggle with. My bestie has ocd and I don't feel my best and troubles with this. She should understand me know but can't.

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@china

Aceptance a big word that most have problems with. Unconditional I have struggle with. My bestie has ocd and I don't feel my best and troubles with this. She should understand me know but can't.

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I respect your insight and everyone struggles but what's important is that we are conscientious and work on it...no one can be a master at everything
Rox

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Boy is this challenging as I can see....
Rox

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May is mental health awareness month!!!
What's everyone doing?
Have a blessed day all....
Rox

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@roxie43

May is mental health awareness month!!!
What's everyone doing?
Have a blessed day all....
Rox

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Hmmnnn I gotta think of something.....to be continued

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@roxie43

May is mental health awareness month!!!
What's everyone doing?
Have a blessed day all....
Rox

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you too Roxie

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@roxie43

May is mental health awareness month!!!
What's everyone doing?
Have a blessed day all....
Rox

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I'll put my thinking cap on as well How are you Lizkat

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@roxie43

May is mental health awareness month!!!
What's everyone doing?
Have a blessed day all....
Rox

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It can be anything to raise awareness ... I guess we do it all the time!
Take care,
Rox

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Roxie, what an inspiring post. Acceptance and unconditional support? I'm not sure I could do it. I know it's what we should do, and I really would try, but when it's personal and everyday I really doubt if I could do it for more than a limited time. I admire your ability to even try to do something so brave.

Luckily I'm not in that position in my own private life, so I can only imagine how hard it would be. Do you agree that you couldn't do it without your own support systems? I fear that many people don't have a support system for themselves, when they are trying to support someone close to them. And it's important to protect your own well-being in such circumstances.

And then there are others who simply don't want to, and others who don't understand mental illness anyway.

If you think about how rare a happy supportive family is, it makes it even more unlikely that people with mental illness will get the support they need. I don't want t depress anyone đŸ™‚ but there is so much need, needed in the world.

I personally would never judge anyone who tries to do the right thing but finds they cannot. Not everyone is Mother Theresa. If people genuinely do what they can, they are doing their best. If their best is not perfect, well, none of us are perfect.

Sometimes the only support that people with mental illness can find is from fellow sufferers in self help groups and forums, and sometimes from health professionals - their families burned out long ago. It's sad, but sometimes that is what happens.

So well done you for giving support to people close to you and also on this forum.

Keep strong (when you can), and look after yourself as well.

Carol.

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@drcarol

Roxie, what an inspiring post. Acceptance and unconditional support? I'm not sure I could do it. I know it's what we should do, and I really would try, but when it's personal and everyday I really doubt if I could do it for more than a limited time. I admire your ability to even try to do something so brave.

Luckily I'm not in that position in my own private life, so I can only imagine how hard it would be. Do you agree that you couldn't do it without your own support systems? I fear that many people don't have a support system for themselves, when they are trying to support someone close to them. And it's important to protect your own well-being in such circumstances.

And then there are others who simply don't want to, and others who don't understand mental illness anyway.

If you think about how rare a happy supportive family is, it makes it even more unlikely that people with mental illness will get the support they need. I don't want t depress anyone đŸ™‚ but there is so much need, needed in the world.

I personally would never judge anyone who tries to do the right thing but finds they cannot. Not everyone is Mother Theresa. If people genuinely do what they can, they are doing their best. If their best is not perfect, well, none of us are perfect.

Sometimes the only support that people with mental illness can find is from fellow sufferers in self help groups and forums, and sometimes from health professionals - their families burned out long ago. It's sad, but sometimes that is what happens.

So well done you for giving support to people close to you and also on this forum.

Keep strong (when you can), and look after yourself as well.

Carol.

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Hi Dr Carol . It is an inspiring post of Roxie's isn't she is a true inspiration to us all. I was just thinking about you the other day and wondering how you are. How are things going? So nice to hear from you Piglit

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