What can I do about the people calling me mentally ill when I am not?

This is the explanation of mental health vs. mental illness (https://www.google.com/search) which can give you an opportunity to determine what you're experiencing. Your frustrations with what people are saying about you affects your mental health or mental wellness. Depression is a symptom of mental illness. But the term does not define you. It is okay to have depression, anxiety and other symptoms of mental un-wellness. Each of us have a form of those psychiatric diagnoses at one or more times throughout our lives--that doesn't mean, however, that we are "mentally ill" in the sense that people use to demean or put down a person. Stigmatism pops up when words are taken to insult or denigrate us. It is why, in my community where people are with substance use disorders (alcohol or drug overuse), we don't say that a person is an 'alcoholic'--because the person is "with' a condition (dependent on alcohol) that makes them feel better. When language is used unkindly, that stigmatism will cause people to feel unloved, depressed, worried, anxious and so on. So, being aware of the impact of certain words that hurt can help you to understand that some people don't know they are using words that hurt. I train people to learn different words when they have a loved one with mental un-wellness or with substance abuse. For instance, when a person breaks a leg or arm, that person is "with a broken leg" -- we don't call them a "broken leg" which is suggesting that is who they are as a person. It's always best we know how to see a person for the first time and ask ourselves, "What happened to you?" before we judge them and before we make assumptions. This is what Oprah Winfrey wrote and talked about in her book, "What happened to You?"

I am in a similar position at the moment ... I am happy to find someone who understands ...

Why do you continue to participate on a forum where you are not treated well? You had the power to join the forum and you have the power to leave the forum too. It could be very therapeutic for you to simply delete that offensive forum.
If you’re at all concerned about the accusations about mental illness you should get it checked out with your PCP. There is a very simple mini mental health questionnaire that I complete every time I see my pain doctor. This way you can be assured and then you don’t need to worry any longer.

@itsjillo - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Glad you have found someone who understands here.

Wondering if you'll briefly share more of your story you are referring to in your post? What happened?

@lisalucier hi - in brief, I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 1999 after having a psychosis (I was smoking a great deal of cannabis ad in an unhappy marriage -> very stressful etc) husband told the mental health people (I was refusing to sleep with him) it was because he was bullying me and 'gaslighting' - basically he had a 'girlfriend' so he wanted me out of the way ... so I was sectioned etc etc anyway I believe I was suffering from 'substance abuse psychosis' ... problem is, the doctors etc insisted on giving me, not only the diagnosis but also a daily dose go Sodium Valproate (even though I was married and still of child bearing age ... if I had got pregnant the baby would have been born damaged ... briefly I have been prescribed this 'poison' since 1999, along with mirtazapine and veneflaxine ... I haven't smoked dope or taken any other illegal drugs for approx 12 years - I divorced my controlling husband in 2004 ... since then I have had no symptoms of BP (mania or depression) however now I have very poor balance and have to use a rollator to get about ... I have been told it is dangerous to just stop taking the meds, because symptoms of BP will probably return ... hmmm ... what is your opinion??

I am transgender and, as a group we are constantly told we are mentally ill. However, this is not considered a mental illness by any legitimate professional organization. We are a political pawn.

How so I feel about it... Anxious, depressed, angry, and frustrated only begins to tell you how I feel. I see a therapist and a primary care provider with mental health and gender health experience. I take medication. I meditate. I take long walks. And sometimes I drink too much.

Yet, I feel pretty good. It took a long time for me to learn to love myself. I am not here to service others. I am here to live my life, to appreciate who I am. To share joy and experiences with the people in my circles. To be kind to others. To take responsibility and accountability for my own actions. This doesn't mean I won't fight. I will fight to ensure all people have the ability to be themselves, to be respected, for an equitable society that values everyone's worth. A place where we can be ourselves and contribute to the greater good with out judgement. A society where support is based on need, not the size of your pocketbook, your race, or your gender.

All that said, believing in yourself and taking care of you is critical. People calling you as mentally ill is a reaction based on patriarchy, colonialism, and exceptionalism. That drives racism, trans and all the other phobias, societal pressure to conform, and a host of other wrongs.

For those who practice Christianity, it is loving your neighbor as you love yourself. The love starts with you. If you are not christian, the words still ring true.

I know this turned into a long and wandering post, but I face the things you are feeling every day. Therapy does help, medications do help. But in the end, it how I feel about myself and how I believe in myself that makes the difference. And I am not afraid to fight. I will lead with love and fight like hell.