The Great Divide

[ladybyrd]

Why does the words "Mental Health" causes a divide with those who don't suffer in this way? Your labeled as "Less Than" or "You have a disease to be avoided at all cost". Your put down or made fun of from those that are around you or given the silent treatment from those we seem to discuss for struggling with it. Or better yet, you are a danger to yourself and others. Other's seem to lose their respect for you once they know about the "Secret that your suppose to keep to yourself." Then there's the embarrassments you bring to yourself when your in a depressive episode or etc. when"You say or do things you don’t usually do or say ". Can I get a witness?

[Dolphin14]

I hear you! Witness number one!

I've experienced it as a sufferer and I've watched it in health care.

What I have found is that the stronger become the more I can speak up to these people. Promote awareness.

Great post 🐬

[mizzou7016 in reply to Dolphin14]

and I try also to promote awareness.....but in my circumstance....it takes a person who has been through similar experiences.....I sometimes feel even more frustrated, helpless, and hopeless after a session because my psychiatrist doesn't understand the traumatic events that I have the potential to deal with every day....this is my biggest pitfall

[Dolphin14 in reply to mizzou7016]

I agree. If someone hasn't gone through what we have they will never know what we feel.

Your job can be very traumatizing on so many levels and I can't imagine what it's like to work your job.

I think I was just saying I promote awareness now with more confidence.

If someone starts labeling people I have no qualms about saying.... I am one of those people. It kind of leaves them as a loss for words.

We do all want to be understood.

🐬

[mizzou7016 in reply to Dolphin14]

and that's what's so crappy.....I am one of the easiest people for other people to understand...I think I struggle more with trying to understand and figure myself out....that's why i try to help so many people understand....so i can understand

[Dolphin14 in reply to mizzou7016]

Yes!

I understand

I don't think anyone on this planet will ever " get" me. I'm ok with that. What I don't like is the blanket statements made that " sum us up"

None of us are the same. Not every diabetic is the same and not every person struggling with their mental health is the same. Somehow we just seem to get lumped in the same category by certain people and that category is " less than"

Keep up your good work. Help people to understand

[LadyZen]

I don't usually tell people who don't understand depression about what I've been through. I find them dismissive, like try this or try that. They don't mean to be hurtful. They're usually trying to help. The problem is that some people don't know how to respond. This is when a therapist is helpful.

[ladybyrd in reply to LadyZen]

It's really not about Depression or other mental health struggles. It's just plan old ignorance. People can be hurtful when they don't have an understanding or even won't to understand. It's not about issues or going to a therapist, it's about the stigma thats around "Mental Health".

[LadyZen in reply to ladybyrd]

Yeah, the stigma is real. I was pissed off when I found out it effected getting a life insurance policy.

[MyDogisMyTherapist in reply to LadyZen]

Oh my gosh! Seems totally unfair, difficulty in getting life insurance if you have diagnosed/documented mental health issues Seems discriminatory. Pretty sure there’s a clause in there that would exclude a pay-out if there were to be a suicide. So I share your exasperation.

[mizzou7016]

I struggle with this in several ways....The stigma surrounding mental health will never go away....If a person doesn't have the condition they will never understand the struggle. A lot of people have what is considered high functioning Depression. I am very good at putting up a facade and making people believe that I am doing ok....those in my close inner circle know this about me....and they push me, in good ways, to be better. Being a public safety professional has also caused a great amount of depression and anxiety...i have to be in control of my emotions....I can't help others if I'm struggling. yet i must put all of the traumatic situations that i've seen and deal with this the best way i can.

[MyDogisMyTherapist in reply to mizzou7016]

Totally admire the inner strength you have. I also relate to putting in a facade and being a high functioning depressive. Was a flight attendant fur 30 years and so much of that time I was suffering. I was self supporting so I had to be. Anyway your post touched me.

[mizzou7016 in reply to MyDogisMyTherapist]

Sometimes my inner strength is my curse...sometimes I just want to sit in my own little corner of the world and scream and carry on.....but my mind won't allow me to. so I find outlets..like painting.....like journaling.....like talking to others...and trying to help others.....pride can be such a pain

[HopeforMiami]

Witness 🤚 I hear you and I know it. Even my own family won't make the effort to understand. They blame me for causing them pain and trouble.

[MiamiJacket84]

Human innately fear what they can not understand. Since mental illness isn't something physical like most other illnesses, people simply dismiss it. Most either don't believe it's real or just avoid anything related to it. Having a mental illness is viewed as "crazy" and not "sane enough to think right". I said "right" and not "straight". Because they don't actually care about you thinking straight. You could explain your views in the most rational, logical and thoughtful way but you'll still be dismissed because you're just not thinking the right way you're supposed to think and use your illness as an excuse. What's more horrifying is that this extends to even mental healthcare professionals which is absolutely baffling. It's just sad honestly.

[Marysblue]

People don't understand it and they fear what they don't understand. I've had a neighbor yell at me for having depression. I don't talk to her anymore. There's still a stigma and a lot of people feel that you can snap out of it if you wanted to. Some people making an effort to only have positive people around them.