Mental health stigma

[SeekingAfrica]

I was just thinking how sad it is that there is so much stigma around how we're doing mentally. If I had a cold or a flu or something I could say I don't feel like celebrating, I have this and that...but when it comes to being depressed I can't say that because it wouldn't be taken seriously :/. We should be able to really say how we are.

 

[ladee]

We can say how we are, especially here. And we can say it out in the world when we feel someone deserves an explanation... Tons of people are depressed, this time of year.

Try not to feel shame for something that may just be so far out of your control right now, it's just the way it is. I relate. I'm depressed too.. and am NOT going to put masks on to make it 'nicer' for others... Hang in there, you have no stigma's here. :hug:'s

 

[Lucycat]

how sad it is that there is so much stigma around how we're doing mentally.

You are quite right. I feel the stigma. When I am struggling with my PTSD I am unable to express it for being thought of as weird or something. When I was first diagnosed my T advised me to be cautious who I told, as he said, not everybody is understanding. At that time I was working full time in the Health Service, and was shocked that my colleagues would not understand. But he was right. I regretted sharing it with the few I did.

No-one I have told that I have PTSD has ever asked me how it is, or what it feels like. I guess they know it all already from reading the newspapers and seeing the TV.

 

[SeekingAfrica]

You are quite right. I feel the stigma. When I am struggling with my PTSD I am unable to express it for being thought of as weird or something. When I was first diagnosed my T advised me to be cautious who I told, as he said, not everybody is understanding. At that time I was working full time in the Health Service, and was shocked that my colleagues would not understand. But he was right. I regretted sharing it with the few I did.

No-one I have told that I have PTSD has ever asked me how it is, or what it feels like. I guess they know it all already from reading the newspapers and seeing the TV.

I feel like I've been luckier than most on that front- I have few trusted people I am very happy to have told. But on the flipside of that there were few awful reactions too. But the bottom line is that regardless of who knows and who doesn't, it still feels like you can call and say you're missing work or an event because of having the flu in the last moment and that is considered understandable, whereas I would never be able to say that I have to miss work because of flashbacks. Although that is zillion times harder on my body and mind, somehow flu is more acceptable explanation.

I admit, I have been lucky in few occasions. My ballet teachers are aware I have pretty severe panic attacks and when I was still learning how to deal with them, I did end up missing a class here and there and texted my teachers the truth. That allowed me to feel comfortable enough with my dance studio that things need to be pretty bad that I won't go. It's pretty much my safe place. But I can never tell my work clients that I have to postpone work because I need a mental health day though.

 

[Pyro]

The people that think it's trendy and cool get all the attention, while the people actually suffering get told to suck it up. Been there, done that, almost hit one of those "trendy" people. It's not an aesthetic.