Thank you for this thread Lost Prisoner!
A good therapist is really hard to find. Ive been thru many myself. Im really glad you brought up these points about stigma as a societal weapon. It is a horrible truth. Worldwide and through out all known documented history of this planet, the truly intelligent independent minded have been ridiculed, persecuted, shunned, locked up, shot down, and murdered. I have never understood why a species that prides itself on the idea that it is uniquely superior in its ability to thrive thru innovation and free will would be so fearful of the individuals who minds are capable of providing the foundation for foward evolutionary progress. Everything we have today in all aspects of society has been built off of such foundations, yet while revered in hindsight, most of these revolutionary geniuses were considered dangerous criminals and crazy lunatics in their lifetime. Only those who were already part of the financially and aristocracy elite or had proven compliancy by working diligently and with out individual reward within the parameters of the existing structure have been accepted in their time and allowed to apply their theories and supply ideas. If you follow this unwavering pattern of behaviour throughout our history; The true nature of our species becomes horrifying clear. Many have tried to expose this truth and plead to the masses to stand up against these stigmas and break the cycle, although they have been occasionally able to rally change, ultimately they are neutralized and then their martyrdom is used by society to create an illusion of forward progress that is adapted into the system and used as a smokescreen to revert right back to the status quo.... leaving the rest of us who would try right back at square 1... so i guess the best we can do is walk into the shrinks office wherever we are and sing a bar of Alice's Restaurant (preferably in 4part harmony and with feeling) and walk out.
^sorry i just couldnt resist