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0 By Victoria Jane
We should have all come across the figure of “one in four” having some sort of mental health condition at one stage in their life. Especially as this figure often gets referred to in any kind of literature about mental health. Can you imagine that if this figure referred to someone being an absolute psychopath at one stage in their life? Well, perhaps you can agree that this statement is somewhat ludicrous. However it pretty much sums up the “stigma” around mental health in a nutshell.
Psychotic?
I can categorically say that having a mental health condition does not make me psychotic in any shape, way or form. In fact, I am very much the opposite, as are most people with some sort of mental health condition. The stigma around mental health is not only bemusing but it is incredibly exhausting. Especially as to how there is so much literature available about the subject. However, you will always get some people who are so blinded and ignorant to the condition that they will tarnish us all with one brush.
Take for example, I have been advised by a former lover that I shall not be subjected to their children due to my “breakdown” in fear of what exactly? I admit, that during this time, my relentless needy messages may have thrown him entirely off the scent. Plus my very delightful and bitter long-term ex-boyfriend who seemed to know all about my wonderful condition, couldn’t wait to tell my former lover and the entire world for that matter of how “mentally fucked-up” I was. You are the entire reason as to why this kind of stigma still exists today.
Whilst I entirely accept the apprehension of me being around someone else’s children due to hearing about my mental health. Having a very well looked after and delightfully happy child of my own, I can’t help to feel somewhat hurt and angered by the whole ordeal. I’ve spent many nights questioning my capability of raising my own family and worrying what people really think of me.
Learning to Ignore it
Luckily, I have now learned to ignore most of the hurtful comments that’s ever been made about my condition. I’m sure being called a “misery, “attention seeker” or “narcissist” is nothing new to anyone who has suffered this illness. Although being told to “take a trip down a cancer ward to see what real suffering looks like” really hurt me the most. Especially as to how I once resided with someone who lost their life to cancer.
Anyone who suffers with a mental health condition is fully aware that cancer is incredibly horrific. We also understand that there are a lot worse off people in the world than ourselves. This does not make us feel any better by having any kind of mental health condition. We do not wish to be like this nor do we wish this upon anyone else.
We do not need to be reminded of this fact every single day of our life. Therefore, before you make someone feel worse than they already feel about having “mental health issues” please educate yourself. Do so, before you act or say anything to that person or about that person without fully understanding what they are going through daily. I can categorically say that the struggle is very real, life threatening and extremely detrimental. By spreading the word and with the right education, hopefully the stigma around mental health conditions will become a thing of the past.
Reproduced with permission, originally posted here
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