When Stigma Arises

Anyone with a mental health condition can tell you that the symptoms aren’t only real, they are sometimes level ten intense. Disagree if you must, just keep in mind that the sick would gladly trade heads with you in a heartbeat.

For those who are lucky enough to have walked through life being able to take on the world and navigate its tough spots, I commend you for being well enough to do so. From my point of view, that’s what makes the difference between those with mental illness and those without, the “normal” people are well enough to deal with the wider world and the stress it produces.

Stigma arises when those who have a healthy mind fail to understand that people with psychiatric disorders aren’t faking it or exaggerating their condition. Of course, not every well-minded individual takes the, “if I can’t see it, then its not happening approach.” There are lots of healthy people working hard in the mental health field to make a real difference in our lives, I thank you for joining the battle.

With that said, some of the healthy brained among us have a difficult time comprehending why someone can be on disability for depression or why another would be accommodated in their workplace for PTSD.

From where I stand, I feel like this perpetuates the stigma because people tend to base their assumptions on what they are observing. For example, if a person with, let’s say, borderline personality disorder is being accommodated in their place of work, those who have never experienced the disabling effects of such a disorder may begin to view the BDP sufferer as someone who is being favoured. Which of course, simply isn’t true.Manging work and mental illness

What I find amusing about this assumption is they can’t physically see the evidence that there is preferential treatment going on, but they choose to believe that their narrative is factually accurate, yet the unseen but very real mental health condition is somehow not made up or exaggerated.

While it escapes me why some people choose to believe their own conclusions without asking themselves it what they are seeing is accurate, it is, nonetheless, something that people with mental illness have to contend with.

Only you know how you feel inside so despite what those around you may think, you have a right to live and work and have every opportunity to venture as far as you can down your own road to mental wellness.

if you are suffering from PTSD or another mental illness, please reach out. I thank you for your service and you are still worthy and mean something. I believe in you!

If you are struggling please go here: Crisis Services Canada

Want help fund my book? donate: GOFundMe – The Road To Mental Wellness – The book

You may also enjoy: Spontaneous Mental Combustion

Contact me on my Facebook page: facebook.com/TRTMW
Check out my friend’s blog here: sicknotweak.com