The Great Debate... Do you define yourself as your illness or are you a human being living with an illness?

Posted by Roxie43 @roxie43, Jun 4, 2012

Dear Reader's,

My friend Momentum has posed a very important question! Do you conform to societal labels or do we challenge the system when the system attempts to self impose their views on who we TRULY are?

It can become very easy to be consumed by external factors when Identifying who were are. I am first and foremost, a human being. I am a daughter, mother, sister, grandmother, friend, colleague, peer, employee, a woman, etc. And, I live with depression and anxiety that I am NOT ashamed of. I did not cause it but am very proactive in minimizing it's effects on my life. Last year, being proactive did not work because a group of administrator's were on a mission to destroy my career, my life, my livelihood and my self worth.

However, still, I refused to conform to their biased views because I am who I am and am very proud of myself despite that they are ashamed of me for being proud. Does this make sense? In life, we will come across individuals that know we are exceptional and competent workers but for some reason THEY NOT US cannot get past a label.

I know people, who have been treated in this broken system since they were adolescents and are now in their 50's and all the know is the label they are giving. Some will have been so poorly condition, that they actually believe "I am a Schizophrenic" versus I am a human being living with Schizophrenia.

Lizkat wanted to educate healthcare provider's! Well, here we go. The helping professions is suffering and it needs to revamp itself and go WAYYYYY back to the friendly visitors in the early years of social work. People should not further be exposed to victimization because of their unfortunate circumstances. And, people living with any type of illness should not be made to feel like they are worthless and cannot dream and do BIG things with their lives.

In my last year in graduate school, I was suicidal but you know what my friends? The employer and familial issues were the culprit that exacerbated my illness. Regardless, of all of the roadblocks that presented themselves, I graduated and was told by my thesis professor that my thesis was one of the best in his class in 2010. So, did I allow other's hurtful actions to negate my dreams and goals? Absolutely not......

You can be diagnosed with the most horrific condition but the mind is powerful and when we focus diligently on the task at hand that one is trying to achieve no label can stop you!

I have good days, and I have days, when all seems overwhelming but I refuse to conform to what society or some select insensitive individuals try to say as to...... what I am or am not capable of.

By now, most of you can tell that I am a writer and most recently put together a case for the US District Court that some believe a lawyer put together. I, until my last breath, will always challenge the status Quo because it is wrong, it is hurtful, it is demoralizing, it can ruin lives and there is no place for this type of practice and/or behavior in our world.

Big Hug Your Friend,
Roxie

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Just Want to Talk Support Group.

@gottabbetter

I had an employer that really fits this subject. It was when I first started going to a therapist. I would need to leave early for my appts so I trusted in her to say that I was going for depression. One day at work when I was having a stressful day she actually asked me if I was taking my meds and how my sessions were going!! How rude and insulting!! I have been hesitant ever since to trust who I tell. It sucks.

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hello. Today will be a better day for us all my sister has cancer and she is here on a visit and we are going to go shopping and eat junk food. Laugh and have fun. Life is too short enjoy an cherish those close to you cause they r here now once they r gone u cannot go back and carding shoulda coulda or woulda's are horrible burdens to carry the rest of your life. Now I will get off of my soapboxed and enjoy life! Love u all. Jodi

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@gottabbetter

I had an employer that really fits this subject. It was when I first started going to a therapist. I would need to leave early for my appts so I trusted in her to say that I was going for depression. One day at work when I was having a stressful day she actually asked me if I was taking my meds and how my sessions were going!! How rude and insulting!! I have been hesitant ever since to trust who I tell. It sucks.

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me2 I like her discussions

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I've been told during the course of a workman's compensation case that the qualified medical examiner feels I have a personality disorder caused by childhood abuse. I dislike this label since it adds tot he trauma of what I went through as a child; it seems further punishment and an added burden to bear. Then I read the ony symptoms that could apply since the other are definitely not me; are self deprecating personality disorder or depressive disorder; I would choose the depressive disorder since it fits better, lol, but I have a feeling the psychiatrist thinks otherwise. I'm sort of in denial but coming to terms with what if he is right? What then? I know I have issues and not all of the :"unspspecified" personality disorder fits and some of the depressive personality disorger do fit but not all of them either. I don't want this label; it makes me feel like a totalyy crazy person when the people at work who bullied me for over a year have had no disciplinary actions against them; just rewards and promotions; there is something wrong with this picture. My point is; I'm willing to come to terms with my issues if I truly have them.

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@kdc

I've been told during the course of a workman's compensation case that the qualified medical examiner feels I have a personality disorder caused by childhood abuse. I dislike this label since it adds tot he trauma of what I went through as a child; it seems further punishment and an added burden to bear. Then I read the ony symptoms that could apply since the other are definitely not me; are self deprecating personality disorder or depressive disorder; I would choose the depressive disorder since it fits better, lol, but I have a feeling the psychiatrist thinks otherwise. I'm sort of in denial but coming to terms with what if he is right? What then? I know I have issues and not all of the :"unspspecified" personality disorder fits and some of the depressive personality disorger do fit but not all of them either. I don't want this label; it makes me feel like a totalyy crazy person when the people at work who bullied me for over a year have had no disciplinary actions against them; just rewards and promotions; there is something wrong with this picture. My point is; I'm willing to come to terms with my issues if I truly have them.

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You don't have to accept any labels. People with heart disease don't walk around stating I am ill in the heart.
As for evil workplace bullies, if each one of us, stands up against them and never backs down eventually the bullies will see that they are not wanted, respected, valuable, deserving and need to go away. However, if no one speaks up, because of fear of REtaliaTION... which is what I am currently enduring.. they will never stop.

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@gottabbetter

I had an employer that really fits this subject. It was when I first started going to a therapist. I would need to leave early for my appts so I trusted in her to say that I was going for depression. One day at work when I was having a stressful day she actually asked me if I was taking my meds and how my sessions were going!! How rude and insulting!! I have been hesitant ever since to trust who I tell. It sucks.

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Kudos to you for having fun with your sister; that will get her mind off the illness for awhile. I've been diagnosed with a terrible (to me) illness and my sister won't talk to me at all. In a wierd sort of way, I'd say how lucky you both are!

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@kdc

I've been told during the course of a workman's compensation case that the qualified medical examiner feels I have a personality disorder caused by childhood abuse. I dislike this label since it adds tot he trauma of what I went through as a child; it seems further punishment and an added burden to bear. Then I read the ony symptoms that could apply since the other are definitely not me; are self deprecating personality disorder or depressive disorder; I would choose the depressive disorder since it fits better, lol, but I have a feeling the psychiatrist thinks otherwise. I'm sort of in denial but coming to terms with what if he is right? What then? I know I have issues and not all of the :"unspspecified" personality disorder fits and some of the depressive personality disorger do fit but not all of them either. I don't want this label; it makes me feel like a totalyy crazy person when the people at work who bullied me for over a year have had no disciplinary actions against them; just rewards and promotions; there is something wrong with this picture. My point is; I'm willing to come to terms with my issues if I truly have them.

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How are you? How are you doing with coming to terms with your issues? Avoidance does not allow us to heal my friend. Confront whatever ails you and have faith in yourself that you can handle it.
Hugs
Rox

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@gottabbetter

I had an employer that really fits this subject. It was when I first started going to a therapist. I would need to leave early for my appts so I trusted in her to say that I was going for depression. One day at work when I was having a stressful day she actually asked me if I was taking my meds and how my sessions were going!! How rude and insulting!! I have been hesitant ever since to trust who I tell. It sucks.

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Hi Jodi,
I love your attitude and I hope you are enjoying life.
Hugs,
Rox

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I am simply and beautifully ME......
We all are!

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@gottabbetter

I had an employer that really fits this subject. It was when I first started going to a therapist. I would need to leave early for my appts so I trusted in her to say that I was going for depression. One day at work when I was having a stressful day she actually asked me if I was taking my meds and how my sessions were going!! How rude and insulting!! I have been hesitant ever since to trust who I tell. It sucks.

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Thank you dear..
Hugs

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@gottabbetter

I had an employer that really fits this subject. It was when I first started going to a therapist. I would need to leave early for my appts so I trusted in her to say that I was going for depression. One day at work when I was having a stressful day she actually asked me if I was taking my meds and how my sessions were going!! How rude and insulting!! I have been hesitant ever since to trust who I tell. It sucks.

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Thanks China

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