On the Acceptance of Mental Health

Hello everyone,

I am working on an article titled On the Acceptance of Mental Health. It deals with the stigma of mental health, society's views, the struggles of the workplace, and mental health awareness and advocacy.

I would love to hear any personal stories, ideas, or feedback on this topic in general, as it is a large growing movement and I am sure many here have their stories to share. I just want as many points of views and stories to build this article.

If you would prefer to respond privately, please feel free to do so. No one will be quoted without explicit permission. More than anything I just want to get a feel for what PC has to say on this topic.

Thank you

I don't know if I am answering the question, but...

I'm 15, I was diagnosed with anxiety, OCD, and ADHD this past year. I was at super low point, I was depressed, to the point where I dropped out of school, I stayed up all night with rituals, etc. I finally went to see a professional. I waited so long because my parents used therapy as "a punishment". Like, "if you don't snap out of it, im sending you to therapy." because of the stigma, I waited. But it got to be too much. I met a wonderful lady and my life has changed SO MUCH. I am in such a better place. I'm bak in class, I have friends, I am happy. My diagnoses actually were a relief and a blessing to me. I don't understand why there is a stigma with mental disorders, because I feel like those who stigmatize it don't really know what therapy is, and how medication can actually help SO MUCH. I would like to educate more people about mental disorders so that there isn't such a stigma.

Well, I've already discussed my position on this issue with you at length. So I guess I can just give you my experience, although it might be a bit different than what you're looking for.

Work was just the next step for me at that point. I needed some job experience and to make some money, and I had an inevitable gap in my schooling so that was when it needed to happen. Unfortunately, I hadn't been able to leave the house in months without having a panic attack. To make a long story short, I gradually worked myself up to doing more and more by pushing against my anxiety and forcing myself to go out - even if I got panicky. I started with daily walks, then after a couple months moved to volunteer work, then started working on my job application. I got an interview, looked really friendly and kept the anxiety down so I didn't look like a nervous wreck, and lo and behold I got a job I really wanted (even though it didn't pay much).

The job I got mostly involved working with animals, but I often had one coworker with me for at least half of my shift. I also had to collaborate at times with those in other parts of the building or visit briefly with clients. This was really hard for me and my communication was off. I learned a lot from this experience and all the times I messed up. I tried to take things in context and realized that a lot of the problem was also me. It took a couple months but things smoothed out.

My mind doesn't really work the way everyone else's does. Most of my mistakes looked pretty silly - not turning the water off for instance. I learned a lot about taking constructive criticism. I also learned when to stand up for myself - like signing off on papers immediately rather than waiting because I knew I would not remember. I actually never did come out about my problems or ask for special consideration. If I couldn't do something, then I needed to figure out how to make it happen.

This attitude helped me keep my job and let me keep improving. Less than a year later I got into my school program, which made the socializing that I had done in my job look like nothing. Trying to take responsibility for myself in the areas which I had difficulty is exactly what led to my improving enough to handle the stress of my school program.

I guess I can summarize my basic position on work, although I already told it to you. Accommodations should be made in some areas. However, you have to be able to do the job or get to a point where you can do the job. Otherwise, I agree that it's not fair on the employer. There is stigma that often keeps people with mental health problems out of work, but sometimes the problem is that the person with the problem literally can not do the job. Programs which help people work but still hold them accountable are good for society as a whole, because otherwise those people are being supported by welfare. It's a balancing act.

I wouldn't tell anyone I work with I have schizoaffective disorder, thats CRAAAAAZY man. It's bad enough when I get asked "why so glum pumpkin?"
Them knowing I have an illness with "schizo" in the title forget it.

I believe society is far, far, far from abolishing the stereotypes of mentally ill people. People through those words around "schizo", "bi-polar" when they basically want to call someone bat-**** crazy.

No, as far as work goes its going to remain a secret.

I don't think society really cares about mental illness. There's plenty of intelligent people, and dumb people, and those in between or don't give a flying ****. It never crosses there minds til someone they know gets hit with it.

it's tough out there man. it's tough.

According to the NIMH (http://www.nimh.nih.gov/science-news...pulation.shtml), approximately 9 percent of adults have a personality disorder. These conditions are frequently comorbid with other major mental disorders.

The good news is that in that these conditions are increasingly treatable, although treatment can take a long time. The bad news is that people with personality disorders, almost by definition, have problems with relationships and/or do not fit in well with the rest of society. Hence there is a natural stigma against people with this particular kind of disorder. This can increase the depression and anxiety these people experience while they are attempting to recover.

Also, it seems to that there may be two aspects to the acceptance of mental health in general. One is society’s acceptance of mental health issues and people with mental illness. Another is the importance of a place or group where the person with a mental illness can FEEL and BE accepted. The support of others – somewhere – is an important, perhaps essential, factor in recovery from mental illness for many people, IMHO.

I have a true story for you,though it is not representative of all such cases.It is about a client who visits me.Here is the link http://jeeteraho.blogspot.in/2012/07...d-to-rags.html
There is another post i wrote on this topic.You can read it here http://jeeteraho.blogspot.in/2012/03...very-easy.html

You know my opinion well, Chichi

What I find interesting about acceptance is that people insist on society to "accept" them, but at the same time they cannot accept themselves. Every bad, "undesirable" trait... is due to mental illness and we fight hard to erode them. People claim that we don't have flaws, we are "ill".

As much as I do dislike society, I think we create the worst problems for us. I mean, are we THAT surprised society does not accept emotionally troubled people (I despite the word "ill"), when they cannot accept, gays, non-whites (look I am in Europe. We don't have black presidents here. But neo-nazis... we have plenty of them), non-christians, or even wrong kind of christians, proletarians and bohemians, people who dress differently, people who travel differently, people who don't want to get married and have babies and big house with big mortage... I mean, if you look at it, nobody is really acceptable. So I don't expect society to understand my mood swings, when they don't get my religion, sexual orientation and life goals.

I do think that a lot of well intended awareness kinda creates more stigma too. See the medical model. I really do think people are more willing to accept somebody being emotionally troubled, than somebody having different -broken- brain and not being in control. That sounds like from some scary sci-fi, tbh.

Well Dragon, there is just SO much ignorance in the population about the challenges of mental heath issues. Even those that struggle with it are very challenged to understand it.

We are studying "human nature" all the time and we have been learning a lot. For example, as young as three years old children show that "if something is not like me, like what I like, it is not wanted". If a child loves peanut butter cookies and hates beans, is asked to pick from "identical" stuffed bears, one who likes peanut butter cookies and one who likes beans, the child will pick the stuffed bear that likes peanut butter cookies, even though the other teddy bear is identical. So I would submize that the bear who likes beans is stigmatized as an "unworthy" bear or "something is just not right about that bear so it "doesn't belong". However, this is also where, prejudice begins as well. We are all born with a message to "identify" certain "positive" traits that send a message that another person is "ok" and "acceptable".

In order for people to get to the point where they are more "willing" to detach from stigmatizing and isolating other human beings, people have to "learn" about where this comes from and that some of it is just due to "design". And that is going to be a challenge, because we are also talking about different cultures and races as well as social classes. A "child" is very easily "programed" by it's parents, and others it grows up around that send it messages of "you should not like that person, they are bad".

Also if someone does struggle in some way with some sort of psychological challenge, they begin to "believe" they are "less than" as well. As "vibe" describes, even though there was a "challenge", with attention and "exposure" that challenge has been "slowly" overcome. So often, people "stigmatize" themselves as well and in that they begin to "convince" themselves that they are not "capable" and instead of learning to "work around" their challenge, they simply give up and lose their ability to "thrive".

The real "answer" to gaining and respecting those that do struggle with some kind of psychological challenge, is "education" and "knowledge". Until we have that, we will just stigmatize. We stigmatize because we "fear" the things we do not understand, things we consider "different" somehow and we are designed that way. And unfortunately we are so susceptable to "stigmatizing" that human beings can become very "violent" towards each other.

I am living in a country where an "election" is taking place. I am sitting back and looking at a process that revolves around "stigmatizing" and also watching how human beings become "devided" and "motivated" to "follow" along with "he is the bad guy, vote for me instead". After learning about a three year old that picks a teddy bear simply because that child is "told" that teddy bear happens to like peanut butter cookies too brings to light how much power a "peanut butter cookie" can have simply because a child "likes" it. Human beings are very easily "led".

Open Eyes

Back in 2009 I had a pretty mixed up year. I was hitting mania and depression continulously. I had a great Summer and then BAM!!! went back to work after a week's holiday to find my Service User's Dad had died and I was to help him understand???

I worked with 8 young men aged 21-35 years old who all had Autism, Learning Disabilities and Challenging Behaviour. My shift pattern was anything from morning shifts, evening shifts, mid shifts, night shifts to sleep overs.

During this period of time I had to gather information to help this 24 year old man understand his Dad is gone and will never come back again. Really hard!!! It was tough emotionally and mentally. I was abused every day from this guy, it wasn't his fault to an extent. I was verbally abused, physically abused. But I still went in EVERY day as it was my job. I asked for time off from working with him I was given 2 weeks off. Then something snapped in me and I was an emotional wreck in work (I never showed emotions, never had) I booked an appointment at my GP's and she said I was close to being Clinically Depressed. I had to go back in 2 weeks. I went back and was put on Prozac, that never helped so I went onto Mirtazipine as I wasn't sleeping at all. It helped some. Then I went onto Citalopram which actually made me Manic. All through this I never told my work I was on meds. I just said I was seeing my GP for Depression. I have been pretty honest with my work.

I was off sick from work 22nd November- 31st December 2009, 11th January-3rd March 2010 and 17th March- 27th May 2010. In this time Bipolar was thrown about by myself and my GP. I actually had some knowledge on Bipolar as I supported 2 men with this condition. So I was adamant I DID NOT HAVE BIPOPLAR. I 1st saw my Psychiatrist 31st May 2010 and he discharged me after 10 mins saying I was fine (I was at that point since I was back at work and functionally normally). I was re-referred again in the July by my GP who had witnessed Hypo-Manic and Manic tendancies from me along with sever Anxiety. I saw Psych again 15th September 2010 who after seeing me for literally 5 mins declared I had Bipolar.

I thought I better be honest with my manager as well the kinda of work I did I need to be responsible, I had the role title of Senior Support Worker/Key Worker so I had a lot of responsibilities. I asked for a meeting with my Area Manager and told her. She said it was fine they would work WITH me. A lot of crap!! I told them in November 2010 and by January 2011 they had dismissed me from work on ILL HEALTH GROUNDS. I was officially sacked 9th May 2011.

I wish I had never told them as I would probably still be working. But cause I thought my work would be understanding since we worked in Mental Health they would be more empathetic etc they weren't. I will never work for them again after this. Cause of this I have had major set backs in my recovery and I have blamed a lot of things on myself and my "stupid" illness. I see a CPN monthing (Community Psychiatric Nurse) and when I talk about my job etc I always say if only I never admitted to anything..... he has told me I would of had a sever breakdown to the one I had when at work. So I guess I have done the right thing?

Discrimination in the work force is always tough as some people have brilliant experiences with their work/managers and colleagues...... but then other's like myself have very bad experiences. I just find it amusing that a Mental Haelth Organisation that I worked for treated me like dirt. I lost the respect from my managers, colleagues and felt isolated. It has made me very anxious about getting a job in the future. But I do know there are some good work forces out there that do not care what disability you have. I am actually supported by a team who have amoung them 2 people who have Bipolar and 1 person who has Depression.

Hope this helps you in some way!

I am very afraid of receiving the stigma in my life that my illness will not be a good 'excuse' for all my struggles and short comings that I feel it is causing.

Even we fuel we preach this mentality by preaching to our affected peers with "Mental Illness is no excuse!" and "we are responsible for ourselves" and "take charge!" among so many other adages about coping and succeeding with our disorders. Unfortunately, I believe it is altogether too easy to be clouded by the poor judgement of a disease that eats away at our perception of ourselves and our world -- and we may suffer personal disasters that leave us crumbled and with "no excuse" because we were "responsible" and we simply failed to "take charge."

The reason that this is on my mind is because I am currently in a situation where I have already lost grants for my college education and am likely soon to lose my scholarships. I think anyone that knew me in high school would envision me as soaring academically and not descending the way I have. In fact, my first two years of college have been DEBT FREE! But since I started 'going nutty' about halfway through my freshmen year, I believe the biggest hit to my performance has been the anxiety attacks that keep me from sitting through class and often from even approaching the doorway. I feel like a damned basket case of a "promising" student who can't keep herself together anymore. It's amazing to think that a mere year and half wreck my life.

My adoptive mother understands mental illnesses (she studies them!) but at the same time doesn't sympathize with my behavior. My parents have always placed pressure on succeeding, and have for the most part excluded my brothers from the 'family' for having dropped out of college. They even told me they were disappointed when I told them I was thinking about transferring to a technical school for an associates. Perhaps the only good thing about dropping out of college for myself would be seeing whether or not my parents will support me afterwards.

I feel like I really need a solution right now that possibly involves pulling out of classes for awhile before resuming. But who do I talk to about this? My parents will shake their head, and who else would perceive "I'm sorry, I have class anxiety" as nothing other than a dumb cop-out?

I am afraid of dropping out, failing to get a job, and being left poor, lonely, probably not able to afford meds that help me, and my only explanation is "I was too sad."

Who would listen to that BS?

I think if you can get past your illness and succeed, no one is going to look down on you -- you're a 'healthy', responsible person who has their life together. I think the stigma falls onto people who struggle to the point they stumble into a pathetic life they didn't deserve because they may have succeeded far more with a lot more help.

All my life growing up 'having an MI' was something that happened to 'other' peeps. It was sooooooooooooooo uncool to be labled in that way. Passing the hospital was a dread that was almost a 'threat' to say that ....."if you are different, thats where you will end up"?

Now......well now, since the 90's when in the UK having a 'T' became a 'fashion' its ok to to have an MI. I mean most peeps @ the Uni have an MI and if they dont well.... 'get with the programe dude' (even if your spelling sucks.)

Labels Labels Labels......mental illeness is to me a constant of the human condition *shrugs*

<3

That is about where I was about 4 years ago except I was about a semester into my first year. I thought it was bad then but it got worse. Anyways If college is causing you that much stress and you feel you'd be able to better handle technical school I would do it.

I understand not wanting to lose your parents support but I've learned, acting on that fear does much more harm than good a lot of times especially if it involves pushing yourself too hard.

Other then that you could try taking a break and resuming, or maybe you could try a lighter class load. Or you could go to a community college part time, I think you can typically still get loans for that I know I did unfortunately it didn't work out because of great things like depression, PTSD and anxiety. I supposedly have Aspergers Syndrome as well(its likely the reason I always felt quite a bit different from other people either that or they are wrong about personality disorders only developing in late teens and adulthood in all cases). However, I don't think that really interfered much with college grade wise, though it could be a factor in some ways like the social aspects and such.

I wasn't exactly an A + student in elementary/middle/highschool or even college but I did pretty good, I was pushing myself so hard just to get it over with so yeah my family did not really expect things to go the way they have for me and so now I am kinda stuck depending on people who don't understand me at all in order to survive at least till I get on SSI.

Anyways it sounds like quite a bit more than being 'sad' and there are people who understand that, its too bad you seem to have more of the ones that don't in your life. Do you by any chance have any on campus counseling or anything? not like class advising or whatever but like to talk about problems or mental issues some colleges offer those kinds of services free or as part of the tuition costs and it might be helpful.

I think the worst thing about "stigma" is when it gets into your own mind, not the minds of other people. When you begin to believe they may be right, that's where the trouble is.

Yes pachyderm, I totally hear you on that. And that can very "easily" happen when someone is "really struggling" and confused themselves. I have been there myself and I went in a very "dangerous" direction, luckily I did read a lot and found a really good therapist.

Thank you so much for the input, it really means a lot to me.

I don't know if it's really college that is driving me nuts, and that's one of my worries about dropping out -- that the correlation with my MI issues and starting college were really just coincidences....that I may have suffered if I didn't go to university.

As for grades, it's not the social aspect so much as it is the inability to sit in class. I feel so trapped and then restless....then I feel so hopeless and like I have to get out and I don't understand why! REALLY hard to pass classes when 90% of success is showing up.

I've visiting counseling before but I didn't find it too useful. I know that it is always worth trying again, but the first time I went it took months to get an appointment. Also, the counselors there are students in their own way -- not yet professionals trying to get experience.

I don't know your exact situation but I think what really kinda screwed it up for me was the ptsd, because it was a lockdown when I was in highschool so sitting in a classroom started getting to me. I mean I am not sure how I would have done in college if it wasn't for that. But I am not sure what your main issue is.

Also I don't particularly find counseling that terribly helpful, nor am I very good at organizing things and then waiting around. I mean waiting for months for an appointment would be extremely frustrating to me. Anyways, even if its not college that's the cause its still possible it could add a lot to the stress. So if you feel you need to take a break or maybe take less classes or something less stressful I would recommend considering it.

Also some sort of support would be good, but yeah other than counseling and support groups I don't really know what else there is. Other than if you have family or friends that are supportive that could potentially help. I wish I had more advice on what helps. But I can certainly understand struggling to college due to mental health issues. It was frustrating for me because I've sort of valued my intelligence somewhat but I kind of fail with social functioning so I figured I would have to get a degree to make up for that in order to make a living.

For my entire life I have had the good fortune to recognize that it is my acceptance of my mental health that is it's own reward. I just refuse to allow myself to be unhappy or feel inferior because I have a mental illness. I know that mental illness can happen to good people because it happened to me! I know I deserve to be just as happy and content with myself as the "normal" people do. I can't let myself feel regret for who I am or all the mistakes I have made. I am who I am today because of all the good and the bad that I have experienced.

I have dealt with so many "disabilities" through the years and it has taken me my whole life to get where I am today with the right combination of medication, care and support.

I didn't sleep for the first 43 years of my life. I finally had a psychotic episode that put me in a hospital where I was diagnosed and medicated for bipolar disorder. My life improved exponentially when I slept 10 hours a night on the new medications. Wow! I woke up with a feeling I had never felt in my life, serenity. I love my medications.

I can also say that I have been an alcoholic, addict, narcissist, co-dependent, ADHD selfish tornado capable of sucking the life out of the people unlucky enough to wander into my grasp. I've had trichotillomania and body dysmorphic disorder. I have also been too fat, too skinny, too short, too immature, too irresponsible, too sexual and too self absorbed.

I've been fired from almost every job I've ever had, struggled with financial disasters and put myself in very risky situations whenever I had the opportunity.

I've also been a very good employee, had very loving, normal relationships and gone years and years without problems or crisis.

I feel like I have become a happy, loving, healthy, balanced benefit to society now. I can return the love and support that I have received. I reject society's criticism, condemnation and complaints and treat myself with forgiveness, kindness and respect and it turns out that they treat me with those same rewards in return.

I have a responsibility to be well and I take it seriously. I appreciate the opportunity to share. Thanks.