Stigma and Stereotypes

[God-sFavourite]

Every person has their own different share of thoughts on Depression and Anxiety which they use to stigmatize and stereotype the people around them, who are suffering from the same. They are so vocal and firm on the free expression of speech that they follow but unfortunately, intentionally or unintentionally, they forget or tend to ignore the hardships that we feel emotionally, mentally, physically and socially as well.

I have been very vocal about my condition with my family but their understanding of my condition depends upon their mood.

Most of the times, they are lashing out on me back and forth for consuming medications and preferring counselling with a therapist instead of sitting and talking out with them. The other time around, when I really feel like emoting out, I'm brushed of brutally by saying that "... All of this is normal and has happened with us too. It still happens but we, handle it maturely. You on the other hand are just exaggerated everything and are being misused in the hands of you psychiatrist as these people love to fool youngsters like you for making more money in the name of treating you and put you up on lifelong medications. Depression is just another fancy term for sadness. You need to change yourself and the change is within you. You will be able to change only if you stop these so called treatments and start to work upon yourself!! "

[Hidden]

Family can sometimes be too close to the situation to be objective. A lot of people who stigmatize are silent sufferers. Keep the faith in yourself and talk to us here whenever you need to talk or vent. Ignore the negative. ❤️

[designguy]

I understand and sympathize with your dilemma but I have found that it's best to not even discuss my mental health issues with some family members. They don't get it and it just causes me more suffering and it's not worth it, it's how I feel about and validate myself that is what is important.

[God-sFavourite in reply to designguy]

Within the span of time, even I have started to believe the same. It is better not to discuss anything at all when you know the upcoming response.

But the problem that arises here is that I'm still financially dependent on them. So when the time of my psychiatric consultation arises and I, of course, pay from their bank account and they automatically get involved in it because they get to remember that I'm getting treated. Otherwise, they don't even bother.

Only during arguements, when they think that they aren't winning it, they just make it a point to mock my mental condition by saying, "... Oh please, grab your medicine. You must not have taken it today, considering your behaviour! / Let me talk to your psychiatrist and tell your reality to her. You don't need any medications in actual, you just need better schooling from me... " 🤷🏻‍♀️

And it just frustrates me to another level!!

[designguy in reply to God-sFavourite]

I get your frustration, I grew up in a household with a lot of put-down humor and no compassion for each other. My suggestion is to try not to take their bait and ignore them if possible and maybe figure out another way to vent your frustration and start putting together a plan to get yourself in a place that you are not dependent on them. Life is too short to have to tolerate abuse of any kind.

[designguy]

I totally agree, I have two brothers that I have little contact with anymore and i'm way happier for it.