Does your reputation proceed you?

Does anyone feel like a "Lepper" in their town. I suffer from mental illness I try to keep a low profile but everywhere I go I can read the people and know that they are judging me either by their words or their body language.

For this reason it's hard to make friends because I get the I know you're the "local crazy guy" look even when people are being polite to me.

I get on the bus or to a restaurant and people mutter angrily or laugh about me. All this impedes on my recovery efforts, it makes me not want to go out and be around people, things that many people take for granted.

I know some may think that I'm paranoid and that's why I'm crazy, this is what my wife and friends say. They don't believe that someones reputation as a mental health sufferer can travel around a community and create a barrier to wellbeing especilally when strangers gossip or make cutting remarks about that person. Has anybody else experienced what I'm trying to express not is it just me?

Yes, I too feel that my reputation precedes me. Not just for mental health either.

I am one who is a voice for the down trodden - those being unfairly or unjustly treated. I have the distinct impression I am considered the trouble maker. But these things have to be said; even when they at times risk what people might think of me. A good example is when people are being racist or phobic to another. I can see the pain the victim is enduring and have no problem stepping right in on their behalf. Unfortunately the transgressor(s) treat me badly as well. No problem, I don't need jerks like that in my life. If I can come to the rescue of just one person it has been a good day.

As for my mental health, I get the impression too that people use my mental health as an excuse for such behaviour. I get people who don't take me seriously obviously thinking, "She's just being bipolar." But I must say that it doesn't always backfire. I get a lot of people approaching me about the difficulties they themselves are having.