Welcome to PC, and thank you for posting. I can relate to much of what you have written. The Old World parents, my mother was a German immigrant shortly after the second world war, but uber-religious. When I was in my teens, if I tried to tell her that I was ideating, she would flip out and begin to cast the devil out of me. The stigma is something else I relate to as well. I think that Aviot is right, ignorance isn't bliss, it's just ignorant.

I am glad that you felt comfortable enough to share with us. You will find many caring people here in the forum. We may not have a doctorate or all the answers, but we all have a heart. Wishing you peace.