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I'm Proud That I Got The Help

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Anxiety & Panic Disorders
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Posted 4/22/2020 10:34 PM (GMT 0)
The stigma against mental illness in America isn't as bad as it used to be, in my opinion (although it's still around, unfortunately).

However, some people in my family don't think I should tell others that I have mental illness. They think it's too personal.

But I disagree. I'm proud of the fact that I've been getting help for it for a long time! I'm proud that I've done my best to help myself since getting treatment. And I'm proud that I've made a great deal of progress in fighting my mental health issues. I'm not ashamed that I have mental illness at all!

I don't go around telling everyone who knows me in the town that I live in that I have mental illness. However, I don't go way out of my way to keep it a big secret either.

Why should I?

Post Edited (MainerMikeBrown) : 4/22/2020 4:38:06 PM (GMT-6)

Posted 4/23/2020 1:21 AM (GMT 0)
Totally agree. The more mental illness is spoken of, the stigma should lessen.
I remember when I was growing up (in the 50-60s) people would not mention cancer by it's name. They would whisper "he has the "big C"). Supposedly, it was an ashamed word to use. Now, you hear the word cancer almost everyday - it's a well accepted word. I feel it will be the same for mental illness. And look at all the celebrities that are coming out and talking about their mental illnesses - people are beginning to understand how widely it is.
You go, MainerMikeBrown.
Posted 4/23/2020 1:53 PM (GMT 0)
Mental illness is basically a chemical imbalance in the brain. Most of the time anyway. It can also happen through trauma. But it is an illness just like diabetes. People don't look down on you for diabetes. They shouldn't for depression or anxiety either.

I take medications that work for my condition. When we take medications that work, we can seem normal. Whatever that is. Who wants to be normal anyway?

I think in time there will be people that understand and don't look at you strangely. But for now I guess it just is what it is. I am glad we have a place to come to discuss it. It makes us all feel not so alone.

Hugs, Karen...
Posted 4/26/2020 6:41 PM (GMT 0)
I was going to point out that (bio)chemistry rules the world, but Karen hit the nail just right in the prior post.
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