I just posted something about this the other day. No, it is not anything to be ashamed of. It's not like it is something you brought on yourself. It is an illness just like cancer, or diabetes or whatever. I do not advertise my mental illness, but if someone asks, or it's in an appropriate forum, like this one, I tell them. It's my hope that explaining it plainly will help take some of the stigma away. I think the problem is that someone who has never experienced what we go through cannot understand it. In my case, I have an anxiety disorder and, to those who have never experienced what I go through on a daily basis, it seems strange to them that I cannot "get over it" or "move on" or "suck it up" or "just think positive thoughts" or any of the other things that THEY find so simple. Because it is so simple for them, they just don't understand how/why it can't be just as simple for us. I( think this is why mental illnesses are often seen as character flaws or weaknesses by those who don't have them, rather than as the "real" illneses that they are. I think informing people about them is the only way they are going to be able to be understanding. They may not ever understand, but they can at least BE understanding, if they have the information. Don't be ashamed...it's not your fault.

Absolutely nothing to be ashamed of, that's what fuels that social stigma. I worked with mental health patients for years. I educated them on their illness and one thing I always told them.... was never to be ashamed of their illness talk to people about it educate them. It's their lack of knowledge that keeps them viewing the mentally ill as whack jobs.

I have had some whom have attempted to hurt me by saying I'm crazy because I take medicine. I have not responded to such comments. As time goes by most people have learned to take what some say with a grain of salt. I'm probably going to sound stuck on myself, but, here goes. At my job I am a chief union steward. Very good at it too. I am also very much liked by management and do a good job. There are many different mind sets at my work, as there are almost 200 people. There are a few that love others misery. That is depressing. I have stuck up for people many times, as it has been said I have wide shoulders. Living with depression/ ADHD and anxiety, I'm honest about it; I face my problems and resolve issues. I can relate to people whom need me. The social stigma exists until one knows you or who the tales are coming from.

Often I do not have the energy to respond to heavy and/or sad postings. I might send a hug or bouquet of flowers to show I care.

Chris:

Re: "I have an anxiety disorder and, to those who have never experienced what I go through on a daily basis, it seems strange to them that I cannot "get over it" or "move on" or "suck it up" or "just think positive thoughts" or any of the other things that THEY find so simple. Because it is so simple for them, they just don't understand how/why it can't be just as simple for us. I( think this is why mental illnesses are often seen as character flaws or weaknesses by those who don't have them, rather than as the "real" illneses that they are"

You describe it perfectly. I am bright, competent, funny and loyal to a fault, but I also know for a fact that deep down inside I am a bad person. No one can argue with me on this, because I know it to be true. But I get accused of being "too self-deprecating," "always down on yourself," etc. I try very hard to keep it hidden, because people will not believe me. If you do not have the disease, I don't think you can understand it, let alone empathize with someone afflicted by it.

I'm not really ashamed, I'm still getting used to the the ADD diagnosis, it was so bizarre and yet made so much sense that I wanted to tell everyone! Hundreds of years ago when my doctor first recommended antidepressants he put it this way: You wear glasses to repair a failure in your brain/optic operations. It's the same with depression---certain dendrites are not connecting with the ones they need to be and so you need something to help them along (boy does that simplify it!

Frankly, I have had more trouble dealing with being ashamed of getting divorced, than I have of having mental illnesses.

Polly

I was wondering if that was the case for a lot of people.

I do not suffer from any mental illness that I am aware of but my wife went through a period (over a year) where her personality changed dramatically and included violent mood swings. It turned out to be the result of a chemical imbalance caused by hyperthyroidism.

It certainly opened my eyes to how easily slight changes in our chemical balance can have such a huge effect on us. Once her thyroid was under control she gradually reverted to her old self.

I can't say it has made me any more sympathetic to the results of mental illness because it is just outside my ken, and so I deal with it with the same sort of abstract sympathy that I employ to deal with someone with any other "conventional" disease.

I must say though it was interesting to read your post Chris, and I will certainly try not to fall into the trap of offering facile advice.

Thanks