What is the stigam attached to mental health caused by, do you feel uncomfortable with the idea of "mental illness," have you experienced prejudice because of this attitude? (My interest is genuine.)
135886
There is more than one stigma attached to mental health conditions. Yes it is uncomfortable, and the stigma most attached that troubles me the worst, is that because the person can't see what is wrong with you, it's as if you are just making it up. If you walk in on crutches, people are much more empathetic, than if they see someone having a panic attack. Terms like "unbalanced, mentally ill" are tossed around pretty freely, without really understanding what is going on. I have a friend who suffers from severe depression and a very severe case of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and her own family thinks that she could change this, if she would just fight it, get a job, get up in the morning, take a shower, etc... and everything will fall back into place.  I know that mental conditions can do a lot of damage to the person with the illness, but it hurts to have other people trying to diagnose you, and tell you how to get over it, when they really do not have a clue as to what the person with the illness is facing. If you would like to know more info. about a particular illness, or talk about it in greater detail, or if you have more questions, please feel free to e-mail me at brew40fw@msn.com, I hope this helps, and I wish you the best
233715
I don't suffer from it, I live with it. There's a big difference. I live in WV and we have a wonderful organization called the WV Mental Health Consumers' Association. It's an organization started by a few people who had tried other ways of dealing with mental illness and found the available treatments lacking. Now they have people who have been there, done that and now have found alternative ways to cope with mental health issues. Peer counseling, support groups and wellness groups and classes have all been life savers for me. I now volunteer for the organization. There is also a program we do called WRAP- Wellness Recovery Action Plans. It helps each person learn the skills to develop an action plan that helps reduce or eliminate symptoms and plan ways to maintain wellness or at least have a say over how you are taken care of when you are sick. For more info visit their website at www.wvmhca.org. You may find some valuable info there that could work for you.
212764
Accepting the fact something is wrong is half the battle. Personally I think trust is another huge issue. Once trust is gone then a lot of people think they can fix the disorder by themselves and end up making it worse.
66184
"Why can't they understand the way we feel?\nThey just don't trust what they can;t explain\nWe may be different, but deep inside us\nWe're not that different at all..."\n\nI feel ya sister.  My wife is Native and I'm a white Jew Both of our families have BIG issues with it. \n\nListen to your heart.
644249
Why is that such a small percentage of the population can cause so much grief. Most of the people in this country still see homosexuality for what it is morally wrong. If they must be together I am not even going to attempt to stop them. Neither will I ever embrace their cause,and this is what really irks me that the homosexual community and their supporters insist that I do so or then I must be a homophobe. The lifestyle in my view is no different than an addiction to drugs or alcohol or any other aberrant behavior. "I often hear live and let live" FINE don't try to force me into accepting what I cannot and will not.
584434
I am actaully reflecting.\n\nI am guilty of not only venting too much, but sometimes contribute to the madness.\n\nThe name calling especially, oh i am not innocent of it or even above name calling its just, real issues and points are being lost and that bothers me.\n\n\nSo i am reflecting, using humor when its necesary and just presenting my case when i can..\n\nI need a beer too.......cheers
223675
Media and peoples reactions to something they do not know about. My mum has manic depression. She is completely normal, yet has "actively" had it four times in her life-just under severe pressure. Childbirth, my dad had cancer and her degree. She still takes tablets just in case but she is a completely normal person. Yet, she does not tell anyone she doesnt have to as a hell of a lot of people think she's "mental" and will become violent. Its like aids in small kids. So many people are scared to touch them be around others with aids because they do not know about the disease. People have no concept of mental illness, well a lot of people so the only information they get is from films or media. If more information was taught in schools or films more accurate it could cause people to react in a better way and so not so much stigma was associated with mental health problems
166379
It is not an abnormality, nor is it a disease. It is a normal, naturally occuring state of existance.Nor is it a mental illness.Homosexuality was removed from the DSM in the late '60's.
391149
OH FRED BEAR yes my love i think you could help a lot of people out there  theres one lady who as said be careful with the rules of what is and what isn't able to discuss i.e suicide methods and experiences dosages of medications you know the score i have been in some right emotional messes i have bi-polar and psychotic episodes hallucinations and all that stuff\nwhen i have been mentaly drained it could of helped me with the old adage "that im not the only one" because by god you feel it i understand some peoples concerns about a bunch of deppressed people bringing everyone down but i think if you use it as a positive forum then hey fine by me ................see ya FRED BEAR
70183
I just wanted to say that I have read your questions and answers to several questions (including my own) and I find you to be very level-headed and well-spoken. I used to practice Christianity and then evolved into feeling differently - a lot of the reasons I did had to do with the way Christians around me looked at issues - it got under my skin. But your views that are influenced by your beliefs are not at all offensive, even to someone who may not believe in the same things as you. I am glad to read what you have to say, as I am more inclined to listen to someone who is rational, if nothing else.
135721
I am mentally ill. I can say it. I have had to endure 30 brain surgeries and I suffer, believe me- I SUFFER- some lingering side effects of it. The surgery was for a birth deffect that wasn't detected til I was 19. \n I now suffer from severe bio-polar disorder and, without my meds, I can have mild schitzophrenic tendencies .  Ok, cool. As Long as I knowwww what is wrong with me and how to treat it, I'm ok. I can handle it. \n\n   This person in your house, that might or might not have mental problems, may not even realize they have a problem. I know it took 3 years for us to decide/realize what was wrong with me.  Ever hear of an intervention. or are you the only one who feels this person has a problem? \n    No , you don't have the right to tell someone to 'get off the drugs' when they aren't on any and you KNOW that for a fact. ( Maybe tell them to start taking the RIGHT ones..it took me 8 years to get to the right 'cocktail' of meds I am on now so that I don't talk to the trees and don't cry when they don't answer me. LOL its not thaaat bad,  just kidding  a little But it does take time and cooperation on EVERYONE's part. ) Go to the person , offer what you've observed and offer to HELP said person get the help that they NEED, or to at least see someone and determine if they need anything. It sounds simple, but it isn't. I know. I had to hospitalize my husband twice in the first year we were married before we got him properly diagnosed/medicated for bipoler problems. It stinks and its hard, but up front is the only way to go. Just don't let that person doubt your love and  support for them. \nBy the way... you don't wanna know what all I am on!!
674734
Homophobia is a fear/belief really, much easier changed than sexuality.  I've known people in my life that were very homophobic but changed their views after getting to know a few gay people.   I guess that's the secret, the closest there is to a cure, letting people with those attitudes get to know as people instead of remaining a faceless avatar to them.   As a gay male as much as I would love for everyone to universally accept us, we don't have the right to tell someone what they can or can't believe.  When dealing with a people like this it's ok to be assertive, but I refuse to gve them even an iota of power over me by letting their words hurt me.
440631
In a pure sense, prejudice is healthy and helpful to survival, just as fear is.  It is utterly impossible to not be prejudiced...if one ate something that gave them violent illness, say eggs, then they would probably pre-judge all dishes that contained eggs as bad for them.  If one had been bitten by a snake and got sick, they would be fearful of most if not all snakes.  Survival.  It is important to note that this vital survival characteristic of prejudice, like all emotionally oriented actions, can be warped and distorted into unhealthy views.\n &#92;\nWhen we take prejudice or fear to extremes and warp them, that's where we get into problems...being prejudiced against thinking/feeling things like people based solely on where they come from, who they vote for, etc.   This is where a functional and rational person needs to draw the line...prejudice (and fear) must not be used blindly, but tempered by rational thought and objectivity.\n\nSo I am pre-judiced...against wasps, cliff edges, boiling water, and so forth...this saves me from pain or death.  But I strive not to be prejudiced against people I meet...I reserve to judge them after talking/observing/learning about them....not before (pre).
527365
I believe they are insecure and probably don't have social skills that are appropriate to gains friends/ loyalty / trust, so they talk about illness and pain to gain attention, and think that's the way to get it. I once just confronted a co-worker with something like this " I know you have things wrong in your life, but it drives people away to hear so much negativity." Feelings were a little hurt, but it did help. Mostly you deal with it by ignoring it, change the subject to something cheerful.
13406
I feel there are two reasons prejudice will always be with us in one form or another.\n\nFeeling superior.\nThis was said to me (by someone who never could hold down a job or make ends meet) when I asked if he could afford the rent where he was moving.\n"What do you think? I'm not like those muchachos from the other side of the tracks who doesn't even TRY to pay their bills!"\ntranslation;  I may be a loser but I'm not as a big of a loser as THOSE people!\n\nShortcut\nI takes a while to know who is honest & who isn't, who is a hard worker & who isn't, etc.\nPrejudice allows people to think they can look at someone & have a short cut to knowing those important things.
444743
The distrust or fear of those who are different is part of the human condition.Most of us have been guilty at some stage to some degree. By recognising we have the potential to be prejudiced and /or biased in our thoughts and deeds we can at least be aware and at least try to to eduucate and nurture ourselves and our children out of something that has been inherent for thousands of years.
568838
Yes, it is a form of paranoia and can be found in many mental illnesses. All you can do is anchor yourself and try to get past the panic attack. Talk to your dr about getting an "as needed" med for those attacks.