Concern about what others will think of your mental illness
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.
People who care for those having mental illness have a lot on their plate. They too need affection. Mental health professionals need to give adequate information and support to the care givers.
I totally agree. There are support groups and providers can also get their own counseling to learn how to better cope.
Thank You. I also get a lot out of hearing your stories and it also reminds me that I too am not alone. It's a nice support system for all of us.
Take Care,
Not everyone, depending on diagnosis, can control there thoughts. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be very good in helping change negative thought patterns but this is not done in a day. This is one reason I added this specific post. Mental illness, means mental illness and no one in their right mind chooses to remain ill. There are many contributing factors; psychotic, trauma, delusional, drugs, etc. What one person can do with ease takes a lot of effort to another. No one size fits all mentality. Care has to be individualized.
It is heartbreaking when one hears that a former partner is ill again but refuses to accept treatment and does not comply with doctors treatment plan. This person put me through the ringer but no matter what I have been supportive because I cannot be a hypocrite. Today is a good day for me and a day of suffering for a friend so its bittersweet. Regardless of the past I cannot wish suffering on anyone.
That's the distinct difference between some and I.
Every human being deserves respect especially people who are in emotional pain.
May God bless him today and always......
Please read Piglits post on my stigma and mental illness discussion! Her post is a perfect example of how powerful being good to one another is. She shared a story about a man named Mark. We all should learn a valuable lesson from this experience.
Have a blessed day,
Rox
There is a loved one that I wish I could be more supportive to. An ex and it's difficult due to denial which makes this so difficult because you can't be supportive to a person who does not even accept treatment
I still pray for him.
I have to practice what I preach. It can be so stressful when someone we care about is in denial. I often feel like I'm doing more, caring more and stressing myself out, which I really don't need, just to ensure this person is well.
Unconditional love and support is not always easy, I know, but it is a wonderful feeling to know that someone worse off always feels supported. By no means easy, but God knows that making another human being feel cared for goes a long way as long as we are not jeopardizing our own health and well being.
Lesson: be good to other's but make sure you're not neglecting your own needs.
Have a blessed evening
Rox
From my public and private discussions on this post I have been made aware that unconditional support can be very draining and stressful.
By no means put your own well being at risk. Individual's who care for loved ones should definitely be getting their own support and respite so burn out and resentment does not occur.
We cannot help others if we to have unresolved or new challenges.
Please take good care of yourselves.
Rox
For my well-being I had to take a step back. One thing is to be supportive but when a person is in denial support can feel alienating.
I simply said - I'm around if you need me and have decided to live my life. Not an easy thing to do but he's an adult and when and if he's ready to get help I'll be in his corner only if he wants me to.
Rox 🙁