What Does Stigma Mean To You?

[Nighthawk]

I have been thinking about this for a while, I was brought up in a country that if you were anything other than the norm people stared and glared. Mental illness was so hush hush and the ultimate just grin and bear it approach to life was taught.

I think stigma to me means extreme failure in others eyes. I am going to keep pushing this to explore it futher. What do you think stigma means to you?

 

[Nighthawk]

That I would be looked down upon even more so than I am now. That people will know that I am not right.

 

[grey eyes]

Yes, the shame of people thinking, you were odd already and now you're mental. A danger to others! apple does not fall far from tree, (and so on) damaged.

<Edited by KP the Nut>

 

[AngelaMarie]

It means lonliness and judgement for me.

 

[freakofnurture]

To me stigma means that people's prejudice and preconceived notions are so strong that even repeated explanations, even getting to know you well, aren't helping them to overcome the wall inside their heads.

When you belong to a stigmatised group, traditional values will always be stronger than people's love for or interest in you.

When you wear a stigma, people perceive you as dangerous, as lacking in character, lacking in moral fiber, as destructive, evil even, although you're only trying to live your life being true to yourself, taking care of yourself.

The only way out is a fight song. F*ck you, society; if you're not loving enough to accept me, I'll kick your *ss by forcing you to see me thrive anyways! I'll live my own, secret life, and I will love it, and I will scoff at your little minds, and I will never, ever stop campaigning for my right to be me.

 

[Meadowsweet]

To me, stigma is when people expect someone to be a certain way, or imagine they know them based upon a tiny fragment of knowledge. To be stigmatised, is when that acceptance of ignorance means that people no longer try to get to know the real person, because theyre happy in the belief that they know it all already.

 

[The Albatross]

Stigma for me is being and being self aware that I am different and wearing the abuse on my face for people to see. It is uncomfortable for most people and I know that and get sad about it, but I try to believe it will be okay.

 

[SimplyComplex]

:( I am sorry you are struggling with this. I think it is normal and part of our healing to go through this struggle. I used to feel stigma, but I don't anymore. I have a condition based on what people have done to me and based on genetics/biology. I am not to blame for my condition. I am only responsible for what I do with it.

If I blame others, refuse to work hard, use it as an excuse for behavior that hurts others...then I have plenty to feel ashamed of.

If I work to the best of my current abilities, take advantage of the resources available to me, and learn to take responsibility for my current behavior and use the skills taught to me...then I have a ton to be proud of.

Right now I have a ton to be proud of. In general I don't feel much stigma about talking about my condition. I figure people who would look down on me just aren't where I am in my life and I don't need to worry about what they think. In general though, I have found people to be either indifferent (many people have personal experience with psych issues) or support. People who might "look at me weird" have just not reached where I have.

I think one important question that needs to be asked of yourself, if you are feeling a stigma, is "how do I feel about myself"

 

[The Albatross]

Wow I hope I can see it the way you do in time SC! :tup:

 

[Nighthawk]

I wish I did not think others look down on me. Or that they could see through the wall that I spent so much time building. I guess when it all comes down to it vulnerability is part of the parcel.

 

[heidi]

I guess if people are going make assumptions, I'd rather they know the truth. Because I feel like mental illness is viewed as when you can't perceive truth or I don't know. I'm sane.. I just have a very hard time functioning.

And it's weird because before this I had certain things that I would hide. Just anxiety related things mostly. And I cared so much about hiding things. And now I just feel like so much dignity is taken away anyway that what is the point of trying to prove anything anymore?

You know what though. I've had moments where I've run into people and they asked me how I was and I broke down crying. And I think people understand f*cked up shit more then you'd think. Certainly not with PTSD necessarily but I think it's surprising how many people really have struggled in life.

 

[Srain]

Stigma is the difference between being treated like a human being and being treated like a problem to be dealt with and pushed aside, categorized.

Stigma means standing up taller, speaking louder and clearer as to what my needs are, not taking "no" for an answer, not apologizing for my issues, and refusing to be treated like I don't count. It means I have to work twice as hard, leave people behind that are part of the problem, explain only so much, and be willing to accept not everyone will understand my plight.

I believe, like Heidi, that most people suffer more than we know, we just may be pushed to deal with our stuff more than they are due to the severity of it all.