Afraid

People were sharing their struggles with depression, with finding the right help and understanding. Kindreds! So I revealed that I share that struggle. And as I spoke, my 'face' fell off in a sob. And then saw that others, coworkers, were not far away, and listening. fear! fear! I'm afraid to reveal my depression, my struggle because I sense a stigma: That I can't be trusted. I truly believe a stigma isn't always present anymore, but it is still there. Do you feel it?

I feel the stigma and I work in a field that really should know better.

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Ooowww....

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Stigma is real, some people are bigots. Sometimes though I have confined myself because of my feelings of stigma when maybe other people either were not interested or ambivalent and some even supportive.

(Though I have been turned down for jobs when certain managers knew my history. They wouldn't have been good to work for!!)

Depression is so common, it's surprising how many people come out of the woodwork and admit they have suffered when someone else talks about it....

Has to be the right time and place and the person sharing is taking a risk!

I wonder if it's worse in USA where the pressure to be happy and successful seems to be even stronger than in the UK. The Brits are inveterate moaners so some 'negative' thoughts are sometimes allowed. (Or maybe I'm exceptionally lucky).

I hope you find a safe place and safe people to talk with, as well as coming here.

Stigma exists. We're the disenfranchised. It's not fair - but it's the way it is in more places than not.

Stigma is there, but I have been surprised how open minded many people are about MH issues (and to learn how many people are in therapy and/or on meds).

yes.

Yes, there is definitely stigma. I am very careful about what I say to whom about depression.