stigma
People with mental illness represent one of the most deeply stigmatized groups in our culture. Learn more about it here.
Borderline Personality Disorder: The Embodiment of Mental Health Stereotypes
"Borderline Personality Disorder" (BPD) came about in past medical terms to define a person that was borderline between neurotic mental health problems and psychosis. However, in newer medicine, this is no longer the way most mental health is spoken about. BPD is a broad diagnosis with individuals suffering from it experiencing a number of different symptoms that are individual to that person.
Eliza MarshallPublished 7 years ago in Psyche- Top Story - October 2017
World Mental Health Day: The Important Topic No One Is Talking About
Today is World Mental Health Day, which you probably didn’t know. You might not have even known that World Mental Health Day is a thing that happens every single year, but now you do and you definitely should care. World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10 every year with the main intention of raising public awareness of mental health issues and increasing efforts in order to achieve better mental health. It is a day for global mental health education and advocacy against social stigmas that so frequently surround various mental health issues. Every year, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on people's lives worldwide.
Liz ShannonPublished 7 years ago in Psyche It's 2017 Let’s Stop Making Excuses for Stigma and Ignorance
Let’s face it, in today’s world, people still have ridiculous and unrealistic beliefs about mental illness. Consider the recent Las Vegas shooting, which in itself was a tragedy. There are more people stating that the fact that he was on antipsychotic medication and had mental health issue was the cause instead of looking at things such as the gun laws, and other underlying reasons behind what happened. Even though in the US, it’s easier to buy a semiautomatic assault rifle then get a prescription for a controlled substance.
Mental Illness Isn't Going Away
I have anxiety, and like many people with any sort of chronic ailment, I have good days and bad ones. However, something I've discovered over the years is that the tolerance, for lack of a better term, for a mental illness is sometimes just not there in the way that it can be for a physical condition. Sometimes, the desire to simply understand what a person with mental illness might be going through on the daily isn't there either.
Christina St-JeanPublished 7 years ago in PsycheMisconceptions & ADHD
“ADHD includes a combination of persistent problems, such as difficulty sustaining attention, hyperactivity and impulsive behavior.”
The Identity Paradox
This may be a new concept for many people, and it seems to challenge the very core of what it means to be human. In another way, it is as obvious as our breath and more accessible than anything we could ever think or believe about ourselves, the world, and God. It is who we are when we are first born, before we start picking up thoughts and concepts along the way.
Michael ThielmannPublished 7 years ago in PsycheA Bitter Bitch's Biography
Remember in the old cartoons when someone, usually a large, very angry chef would whip out an even larger fish and just slap a guy in the face? Then the guy gets so angry that his whole body turns red and bursts into flames? That's what it was like the first time someone called me bitter. A dear friend of mine had gotten engaged and the conversation turned to my being single where a series of 'positive' encouragements washed over me like a sea of overly-hopeful mothers. I responded like any other smart-ass would have: 'Oh, I just haven't found anyone willing to put up with me.' Then, the four most dangerous words were spat at me by an eighty year-old man: "Oh, don't be bitter." His words resonated with me for days. Was I being bitter? I was ecstatic for my friend and surely I am not being bitter if I am happy for her. Yeah, I was a little jealous of their 'inspirational couple' status. But I was still happy for her. In my mind, bitterness and happiness could not exist at the same time. If you were bitter, then you were just a sad and angry person. I used to think bitterness went hand in hand with resentment. I am here to tell you that I was wrong. Am I still bitter? Sure am. But, am I happy? Absolutely.
MichelleLuongoPublished 7 years ago in PsycheFighting Back!
Think about it. If someone walks up to you and tells you that they have a cold, you wouldn't really think anything of it, right? You might take a few steps back and cover your mouth, but there's no shame or awkwardness to it. Now imagine that same person walking up to you, saying, "I have a mental illness." What would you do? Would you ignore them? Call the police? Would you do nothing?
Andrea GuytonPublished 7 years ago in PsycheThe Things Suicide is Not: Cowardly, Weak or Selfish
“Suicide doesn’t happen to selfish people, it happens to depressed ones. We can’t keep calling something that people have no control over 'selfish.' It’s selfish of us to tell them “feel better” or “just be happy.”
Please Stop Saying Everyone Is a Little ADD
As I was sitting on the bus coming back from the gym yesterday, I overheard a conversation about this topic. How people think they have anxiety and other mental health issues because they had a bad day and feel stressed while at the same time, when asked whether or not they have been diagnosed. When people do that, it truthfully does absolutely nothing other than make you look uneducated regarding a serious medical condition. How many times have you heard people say things such as 'everyone is a little ADHD' or 'I know what it’s like to have anxiety' and 'I had a really stressful week' and so on. Statements such as these and other statements that are along the same lines, do absolutely nothing, other than take away from the seriousness of the various things someone diagnosed with a mental health issue goes through on a daily basis.
The Stigma Attached to EUPD and PTSD
When I tell people that I have Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder, they look at me as if I am crazy and often avoid me like the plague. They assume that I am violent or dangerous to be around. This conception is just two of the stigmas attached to my illness. It also gets mistaken for Emotionally Unstable Borderline Personality Disorder, which is the same thing but a different type of illness.
Carol TownendPublished 7 years ago in PsycheOpen Letter to the Depressed and Anxious, or Both
"You'll be fine." "Just be happy." "Do something that makes you feel happy." "It's only a phase. We all have rough times. You'll get over it." "You do this just for attention." These things are constantly repeated tirelessly to people who are exhausted by only getting out of bed. Shoved down the throat of someone who feels like they're drowning even though they aren't near a single body of water. Repeated to people who are dying to do the things they love but don't see the point in doing so. Words that are drilled into someone who is crying out for help but is seemingly ignored. These phrases are fed to people who may be considering committing suicide because they feel like they don't matter and physically hurt from loneliness and hurt. Phrases said to those with depression.
Summer SmithPublished 7 years ago in Psyche