Being judged

[Ragdoll15]

Does anyone find that they make up physical ailments when cancelling a meeting due to anxiety rather then admit the real reason for fear of being judged. I hate lieing but there is still a stigma attached to mental ilness that it seems easier to lie then risk being judged. But then I think we should be open about it and change people's attitudes to menta! Health issues.

[Lostmyself65]

I lie to get out of any social gathering I commit to. It seems like as soon as I say yes I will go,in my head I am already thinking of excuses to get out of it. I do agree that telling the truth would be better but like you I fear the judgment.

I have tried to explain so many times how my depression effects me but how can people understand when I don't understand myself?

I recently went to fill out a job application and one section asked if you were disabled. There was a list of things that are considered a disability and depression is one of them. They said a disability would not effect your chance of employment but I definitely did not want to check that box. Just curious how would you feel about that?

I felt like it would leave me judged and exposed. So I just stopped filling out the application because I didn’t want to lie and I wasn't willing to check that box.

So where do we start the fight to change people's attitudes? I am definitely tired of working so hard to hide my depression.

[Ragdoll15 in reply to Lostmyself65]

I think I would have done exactly the same as you and stopped filling in the application form.

I suppose things will change when everyone accepts that anxiety/depression can affect anyone at anytime. More money should also be invested in mental health to educate people about it and allay a lot of pre-conceived ideas that its something to be ashamed of.

I opened up to an old friend of mine from school days who I used to keep in touch regularly with and since telling her about my illness have not heard back from her. The only people I can trust are my friends at my local church who have been so supportive to me over the last couple of years. You certainly find out who your real friends at times like this! Stay strong!