[xmascarol]

Does this happen to you?I mean just because you have a mental illness they treat us like dirt.I am sick and tired of it,just look on tv every single time some one is murdered they say well that person has a mentak illness they give anyone with a mental illness a bad name and I am so sick of it.We cannot help it if our brains are not working properly.I believe that some of my problems stem from when I had my bad fall,why cant people just asks are you okay instead of being mean?I certainly do that,I get sick of the mental illness jokes or the name calling,we are mentally ill not stupid,I am fed up with this illness and the people all around me where I live they know fully well that I am not a violent person I couldnt hurt anyone and I am sick and tired of being treated with no respect.It just feels like everyone is picking on me,they all know to that I dont like my land lady well now I dont like my neighbor she is a trouble maker to bad I didnt see that earlier the people where I live are nothing but busy bodies I certainly would not squeel on anyone just because I have a mental illness that is why they are doing this

Mental illness stigma still exists. This is why we must be careful who we disclose our condition to and why there are HIPPA privacy laws protecting our medical records. Hang in there and try to ignore/stay away from/do not disclose to negative people.

[downandlonely]

I do not tell most people about my depression. Most of the time it's pointless, because they ask stupid questions like "Why are you depressed?" and suggest things that don't help. Because they don't have clinical depression.

It's hard with other mental illnesses I know. My mom tells me to stay away from people with schizophrenia and bipolar (which is hypocritical because she has bipolar. And also her sister has schizophrenia). But she still doesn't seem to understand. I go to a support group where a lot of people have bipolar and she doesn't think it's a good idea.

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm sure many can relate to what you say, xmascarol. Mental illness stigma sucks! Stay strong. Hopefully things will get better one day. Unfortunately it's very hard for people without MI to understand what others are going through. Please don't give up. Sending many hugs to everyone

[Albatross2008]

It's so frustrating. Once you have a mental health diagnosis, it's almost like you're never allowed to have an emotion again. The slightest trace of sadness or anger or fear, no matter what the context, is seen as a possible sign of relapse. And of course you can't ever have a physical illness, because every symptom you've got is "all in your head." You're not taken seriously. You're treated like you don't know what you're talking about. You may be made fun of. You may not be trusted. It isn't fair. It isn't right. But unfortunately, I don't know a way to make it not happen.

For the record, I've been spoken to like I'm four years old and not very bright, even by mental health professionals who should know better.

[GLMS]

I agree that there is a lot stigma attached to a mental illness diagnosis. I've been really open about mine to close friends and family but not anyone else. Oddly enough people will give tons of sympathy and empathy for lots of other illnesses, mention MI and ppl start backing away and giving you the gimlet eye.

DownandLonely I agree about sharing with others about clinical depression, it really, really isn't like "feeling a little blue". There is the common thought that somehow if you'd just try a little harder, be a little stronger you'd "get out of this".

You wouldn't give that advice for, diabetes or high blood pressure or cancer, because that's a physical disease you can't deal with it that way, well newsflash so is mental illness.

[xmascarol]

Originally Posted by Nowinners

Mental illness stigma still exists. This is why we must be careful who we disclose our condition to and why there are HIPPA privacy laws protecting our medical records. Hang in there and try to ignore/stay away from/do not disclose to negative people.

This person is no longer my friend I bet she was just using me.So when I go outside I will not talk to her,some people can such witches that is with a b

[xmascarol]

Originally Posted by Arbie

It's so frustrating. Once you have a mental health diagnosis, it's almost like you're never allowed to have an emotion again. The slightest trace of sadness or anger or fear, no matter what the context, is seen as a possible sign of relapse. And of course you can't ever have a physical illness, because every symptom you've got is "all in your head." You're not taken seriously. You're treated like you don't know what you're talking about. You may be made fun of. You may not be trusted. It isn't fair. It isn't right. But unfortunately, I don't know a way to make it not happen.

For the record, I've been spoken to like I'm four years old and not very bright, even by mental health professionals who should know better.

The problem is most people think that when u have a mental illness you dont have a brain in your head.From what I see and heard people with mental illness are the most caring people around.and we are smart.

Sadly, once you been diagnosed with a mental illness, people assume it's contagious and treat you as such

[xmascarol]

Originally Posted by whispershadow

Sadly, once you been diagnosed with a mental illness, people assume it's contagious and treat you as such

I once told my mom she should read up on anxieties guess what she told me?No because she didnt want to get it.I told her you cannot catch anxieties from someone she still wouldnt go and read a book about it.People can be so ignorant when it comes to a mental illness where I live a physical illness matters but not a mental illness but that just isnt fair

[Foo Fighter]

My father in laws girlfriend treats me and my husband differently because we are autistic. She thinks that means we are the r word and has spoken to us as such. I told my husband that we will tell her she is not allowed to talk about autism or mental ability to us anms she knows absolutely not what she,says. We also avoid her as much as possible, try not to be left alone with her and I just don't give her things to talk about. People need acceptance and respect, not stigma. What you did by cutting her our was good. All I can say is avoid these folks like the plauge they will never get it. Merry Christmas to you.

[trance]

To all of us who share in the wonderful world of mental disorders...stay strong my brothers and sisters because when it comes right down to it those who have issues with us also are suffering their own mental disorder it's just that they haven't been diagnosed yet... We must not allow ignorance on someone elses part to define who we are. If someone says mental case...say thankyou very proud that I am getting help but what about you friend when are you going to seek help?

[xmascarol]

Originally Posted by Foo Fighter

My father in laws girlfriend treats me and my husband differently because we are autistic. She thinks that means we are the r word and has spoken to us as such. I told my husband that we will tell her she is not allowed to talk about autism or mental ability to us anms she knows absolutely not what she,says. We also avoid her as much as possible, try not to be left alone with her and I just don't give her things to talk about. People need acceptance and respect, not stigma. What you did by cutting her our was good. All I can say is avoid these folks like the plauge they will never get it. Merry Christmas to you.

I have a friend whose daughter is autistic and I know a little boy he is five now,he is so smart,i am tired the way people treat people who are autistic,they act like they are stupid and they also make people with a mental illness seem stupid.They need to treat both us with respect.

[AceRimmer]

I think that mental illness is vastly over diagnosed. Just because you think or behave differently than what is considered 'normal' doesn't mean you are ill or have a disease. Calling it a disease or illness is what causes the stigma.