Stigma Bipolar

[redblue22]

How do you deal with stigma of mental illness? Do you just not tell people? Is there ever a time to share it? How do you deal with negative responses?

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[Hopes]

I don't tell them. If they do know and its negative I ignore them and don't have much to do with them. Its like me holding a stigma because someone has a heart attack or heart disease. Kind of stupid. They cant help having a medical issue and neither can I. If they dislike me based on my medical issues then it shows how bigoted and stupid they really are and frankly I don't need them in my life.

 

[redblue22]

I find that encouraging. Thank you.

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[snowfam]

How do you deal with stigma of mental illness? Do you just not tell people? Is there ever a time to share it? How do you deal with negative responses?

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Read some books by Peter R. Breggin and realize that most mental illness is completely bogus, then get on the word and have it set you straight. A couple of doctor Breggin's books I have read are Your Drug May Be Your Problem, and Psychiatric Drug Withdrawal. After getting a good footing in the real science of mental health you will have some tough decisions to make, such as can I get offf the meds and brake lose from the destructive system the psychiatric industrial complex has set up, or is it easier to muddle on the way I am knowing things can only get worse.

I talk from experience not just someone saying the mentally ill are faking. I took all the drugs, riperidall, lithium, seraquel and so on and so on, I was once a zombie and hated myself but didn't want to deal with the problems I encountered when I wasn't a zombie, but finally by the grace of God I was able to be released from the perpetual destruction machine.

So long answer to your question is get well so mental illness is no longer an issue, or people view you as a freak. Been there done it, got the t-shirt.

 

[snowfam]

I don't tell them. If they do know and its negative I ignore them and don't have much to do with them. Its like me holding a stigma because someone has a heart attack or heart disease. Kind of stupid. They cant help having a medical issue and neither can I. If they dislike me based on my medical issues then it shows how bigoted and stupid they really are and frankly I don't need them in my life.

Mental illness is the vast majority of cases not a medical problem, although thats not to in any way imply that it is your fault. Its a drug problem, a reaction to drugs that you were told would help you.

 

[Odetta]

Snowfam, I respectfully disagree. God's provision of healing through appropriate medication has removed the suffering I endured. Mental illness is indeed an illness, like diabetes or cancer, and if those illnesses can be treated with medical intervention, so can mental illness.

To the OP, I do not usually tell folks about my MI, unless I think it may be beneficial for them to know. I told my three closest friends to have their support, and told my husband, obviously. I told a couple of people individually at church to use myself as an example of what appropriate medical care can do and helped them find the services they needed. I also gave a testimony about it to my choir, because I had a message about God's love to share, and it really is a like a family in there. However, I have not opened up in our life group, because I don't feel as close to people there. I have not told my boss or coworkers, because I don't want them to look at me differently, or hold it against me (happened to me once in a previous job). I don't really tell strangers on the street or casual acquaintances. I have not told my ILs, but my own parents know.

 

[snowfam]

Snowfam, I respectfully disagree. God's provision of healing through appropriate medication has removed the suffering I endured. Mental illness is indeed an illness, like diabetes or cancer, and if those illnesses can be treated with medical intervention, so can mental illness.

To the OP, I do not usually tell folks about my MI, unless I think it may be beneficial for them to know. I told my three closest friends to have their support, and told my husband, obviously. I told a couple of people individually at church to use myself as an example of what appropriate medical care can do and helped them find the services they needed. I also gave a testimony about it to my choir, because I had a message about God's love to share, and it really is a like a family in there. However, I have not opened up in our life group, because I don't feel as close to people there. I have not told my boss or coworkers, because I don't want them to look at me differently, or hold it against me (happened to me once in a previous job). I don't really tell strangers on the street or casual acquaintances. I have not told my ILs, but my own parents know.

Ah l wish I could help you but listen, really think about if thats true, did they put you on a medicine it cured your mental illness you go about your way, or do sometimes still struggle with it? Do you ever need your med level adjusted? Do you ever need to try new meds or combine meds? What medical tests are you given to determine where your brain chemical levels are? I don't mock those with mental illness I've been there and back I've been on all the drugs that sap your strength and mental clarity. I would ask you really analyze where you are compared to where you were prior to diagnosis are things back to normal. If all is perfect and you took a pill and it cured you then in your case I am wrong and I apologize, but I'm pretty sure I'm not wrong.

 

[redblue22]

I grew tired of years of untreated hell. I take the meds. But it truly brings me down when someone I know says there is no mental illness or that there is some easy fix or that it is the suffering's own fault.

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[CraftyTurtle]

I have had some nightmare people who say they had blah blah and "got over it", or those who acknowledge MI as something "other people" have - you know, druggies, the homeless, returned servicemen. But of course after the 2nd world war, those PSTD servicemen "got over it", didn't they? NO THEY DIDN'T! It was a stigma that spoke of in hushed voices and hidden away in asylums.

Even those who are willing to acknowledge my illness, it was just talk. I even had one boss to whom I would specifically state "I need X", to which she would agree, say she'd make it happen, then immediately do Y. Sigh. Nobody needs that.

There is a lot of lip service - mental health awareness week, etc, but in the real world (eg the office) nobody really cares about you, they only care about what you can do for them. Jaded perhaps? But I had 5 years of the not caring, bullying, poor performance reports, which apparently was all my fault, and I should just snap out of it.

Oh, I love the phrase "What have you got to be depressed about?" Attitudes like that, for one thing.

So all that is why I don't disclose my illness to anyone, except those I really know I can trust, and have my interests in mind. This is often others who are on anti-depressants themselves. They know what it's like first hand. Their vulnerabilities have been exposed and experienced. Raw emotion without intellect or judgement is pretty scary for anyone. It's no wonder toddlers have tantrums. Imagine trying to make sense of the big wide world for the first time. Now imagine having to do it all over again at 30 or 40. Nobody would choose that. But those who have been there *know*, and are amongst the few people who can actually understand where I'm coming from, and I them. I suppose that's why we come here to bare our souls. All the benefits of understanding, and the anonymity means no risk of exposure. A safe place.

 

[Loven God]

At one time I did not tell anyone then I am to a point to where I did not care who known . I am now to the point that I use it as a chance to edcuate people on bi polar . My feelings don't get hurt any more if some one des not understand and thinks I am crazy that is there problem and not mine .