Fight the Stigma of Mental Illness

Kim about 14 hours ago

Unless you have a mental disorder you don't know how the world looks at you. There are people out there that appear as normal as the next person. Only they carry the secret of a mental disorder. Give everyone a break. It could be you.........

Emily 6 days ago

My resolution for 2010 is to donate more to causes that affect more of us than you think. "1 in 5 people in the U.S. alone will experience at least one major depressive episode in their lifetime." -NAMI Please help fight the stigma of mental illness! I have been affected greatly since being diagnosed with Bipolar 1 just over 6 years ago. It has been a tough battle but have learned to adapt to my disability. Thank you.

Jennifer 9 days ago

I have struggled with mental illness since my teens and I still struggle with it today, the truth is I probably always will. It is important to let anyone out there who is suffering that they do not have to be alone, there are people who care and who will help.

Carleene 9 days ago

i was diagnosed bipolar when i hit my 30's. it took me a long time to accept it. once i accepted it, and learn i had i had to stay on my meds, life got better. today i understand my illness better so now i know my trigers, and today i'm not ashamed any more. i'm okay with me, thank you god.

Sandy 13 days ago

Hi. I'm Sandy, and I have Schizo-effective disorder. (I'm not sure if I spelled that right.) I'm a very uncommon case. When I was only twelve I was misdiagnosed with Schizophrenia. During my junior year of high school I went off my meds and had symptoms that looked like bipolar. When I was 20 I was finally diagnosed as Schizo-effective. Now I just want to not be ashamed of this illness anymore. I always had to be quiet about it in public, but I don't want to do that anymore. All my friends know about it, and now I just want to talk about it to anyone who will listen.

Sally 14 days ago

I'm Sally...Bi-Polar all my life and didn't know it...Since I was 17 I was considered majorly depressed...if that's even the correct term! Anyway got worse til the right doctors ran into me..and diagnosed me with Bi-polar. i was not happy. but, perhaps relieved to at last know..and i don't have to think of cutting myself or dying maybe..thank God ..hope at last.Long journey.

Linda 20 days ago

Ludivine, I'm so glad that you joined the cause. I have been that neighbor for 20 years now. I'm hoping that this group will help those of us who've made it through the worst not to hide (even through the hiccups along the way), and to be able to give hope to those struggling not knowing if they will make it (I've been there too) some encouragement, insight, and hope. We should all be holding our heads up because the disease is not who we are but what we are going through. LOL to all that are fighting!!

Ludivine 21 days ago

Your words are so true Linda! And i know what i am talking about : i am this neighbor.
Tanxs for all the people in this group.

Linda 22 days ago

The misconception of mental illness as being potrayed in the media and by people making comments who have no knowledge of what they are talking about. The term "mental illness" is potrayed as a defect of character instead of a sickness just like any other "health " condition. All you hear about are the extreme cases. Your neighbor that you happen to be good friends with and is living as normal of a life as you may be dealing with a mental illness. You probably won't know it because he/she wouldn't dare share that in fear of losing a friendship and not being looked at as a person with dignity but as a questionable person. There s more treatment available than ever before and with both patient education and public education the hope of more patients being able to lead a meaningful life is always there. If most people felt comfortable sharing there success stories without the "stigma" haunting them then maybe it would help those scared, lonely, and struggling peole have the hope and inspiration they need.

Linda 22 days ago

The misconception of mental illness as being potrayed in the media and statements made by people who have no knowledge of what they are talking about the term "mental illness" is potrayed as a defect of character instead of a sickness just like diabetis, high blood pressure, cancer, etc. All you hear about are the extreme cases. Your neiighbor that you happen to be good friends with and is living a normal life could be classified with and dealing with a mental illness. You won't know it because he/she wouldn't dare share that in fear of losing a friendship and not being looked at as a person with dignity but as a questionable person. There is more treatment available than ever before and with both patient education and public education the hope of more patients being able to lead a meaningful life is always there. If most people felt comfortable sharing there success stories without the "stigma" haunting them then maybe it would help those scared, lonely, and struggling people have hope and inspiration.