Connect
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?
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Mental Health Support Group.
Connect
I should have posted this discussion to a broader audience because people are stigmatized all the time and this is not limited to mental illness.
Stigmatization can be hurtful regardless of the reason.....
Be good to yourselves all.....
Rox
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reactionso true Rox it is very widespread over all sectors of communities
couldn't agree with you more, we do need to look after each other
I know it's broad and hurtful regardless of the bias ..
Yes obesity race gender drugs culture belief
start another 1.
Anyone can still respond because stigma is stigma in any form it's manifested in.
Rox
so true Rox
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi Roxie
Stigma? oh Lord I could write a book from both sides of the fence(patient and provider). The worst stigma I have ever seen is the stigma of the parent who is also mentally ill.
When my X stole my child and then sexually abused her, child protective services took custody of her. Although I had never been charged, nor ever even tried to abuse my child they kept her from me for 3.5 years. All because I attempted suicide 1 time and was hospitalized 1 time.
It was so bad that I stopped telling my shrink and therapist what was going on with my depression. Thank God I have a masters in social work and 20 years experience in mental health, I treated myself by getting medications overseas. That way there was nothing in my medical record to stigmatize me about. That is all over for me, finally, however it isn't over for my daughter.
The stigmatization of my mental illness caused my daughter to be shuffled between 8 foster placements between the age of 24 months and 4 years, they then found another stable foster placement for the final year. My baby is now 2 years behind in school and has reactive attachment disorder. She also had psychosocial dwarfism but is catching up finally.
Stigma is poison.
LizKat
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHi
I'm so sorry that stigma and discrimination have hurt yout daughter and you. It's a horrible thing to experience I know and even though you did what you had to do for the love of your child it's a shame that society allows such human suffering that you suffered in silence. You sound like a very strong woman and you should be proud of yourself.
It's sickening that a child molester was deemed safer than you. Luckily, your daughter is young and with the proper services and your love she will thrive. Have faith that you will both be ok. Stigma is demoralizing and action's by others as a result is hurtful.
I am writing a book. I have been writing for year's. I had no choice in becoming a writer because as a child even my laughter bothered some so I learned how to cope by writing. In school writing a thesis was like writing a letter when others were struggling. You should consider putting your story in a text because the more stories are told I'm hoping the better future generations will have because of us.
Thank you for sharing your story with me. Thank you for being brave! I hope we can become friends and motivate one another to continue healing and overcoming our societal obstacles.
Have a nice day,
Roxie
Hi Roxie
Would you be willing to share about your book? I think we will become friends 🙂
LizKat
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 Reaction