how stigma and labels affect me

Hi @Mee1955
Its sounds like you are having a really difficult time with those around you supporting you. It's so great to hear that your self harming and hostpital vistiations have significantly reduced.

I know that @Bast and @girl99 had similar concerns around stigma and feelings of judgement

@Mee1955 you can also check out their thread here

Hi Lovely Mee 1955

Unfortunately you so get it. The label is way beyond any post it note it is in actuallity a tattoo on your forehead. The PH system is apalling and I know because I work in it, not for much longer though. The judgemental attitudes, the stigma and prejudice govern all presentations.

I have read reports that have applied multiple labels to people, often highly contentious. So much for legitimate help seeking for MH sufferers. And self harming behaviours - the horror instigates further truama. Great outcome isn't it?

Mee 1955, you have done well to seek support, Perhaps community mental health services may be of benefit to you. Check it out please.

I have also found great support from a considerate GP - no judgement whatsoever, just fix the injury as necessary.

No one actually gets the internal pain that becomes so overwhelming that it has to be externalised, unless you have experienced it.We get it!

Pleae be kind to you

Many thoughts Bast

@Mee1955my heart goes out to you. Labels and Stigma make beibng unwell (or being unwell in the past) so much harder. It can be a lonely road. I rarely talk about my illness if ever and this week confided in a friend and sadly it didn't go well at all. People judge and some labels seem almost impossible to shake. One thing that makes a difference for me is having a Peer Support Worker. They are on the increase. A Consumer (can't stand that word) who has a lived experience of Mental Illness and 'get's it'. You don't even have to talk about it but it's good to just have another person who you feel comfortable and connected with. The journey isn't quite so lonely. I don't know where you live but Mind Australia connect people with Peer Support Workers or may be able to steer you in the right direction. You are not alone but it can really feel like it sometimes. Arranging yet another worker or talking to yet another service provider can be the pits sometimes but I can highly recommend Peer Support Workers as they aren't there to be or do anything... just to 'be' and 'connect'. Might be worth considering. *hugs

Hi @Kef and @Mee1955

Your kindness, understanding and support are invaluable. Mee1955, your willingness to send your heart to me really matters, I send mine and my thoughts back to you. You are both so accurate, being "different" is isolating and the predudice and stigma are overwhelming. Mee1955 - you are very brave to share and yes i have lost friends from attempting to be authentic. Having the audacity to be the person that I am. The results are usually so damaging and unfortunately become the subject of victim blaming and very unpleasant "gossip"

Behave as normal is the requirment - no matter what (BTW what is normal - is it arrogance, supreme self confidence and the ability to systematically hurt others?)

Thank you @Kef for your considerate reply - it is so wonderful to just be heard.

This will result in a somewhat soggy keyboard, a good thing, having been trained out of the expression of emotion at work - OMG having any weakness in PH in my case and for all others will lead to an IME assessment.

Lotsa luv and thoughts Bast

Thank You @Bast@kef@Former-Member@MissG@LouLouMagoofor your great supprt . It si so helpful to know I am not alone and some people do care lots of love

Hi All today i went to a private psychiatrist for the first time. It was scary for me but Oh how different from the treatment at the hospital .He is going to fix my meds .It will be good not to have to deal with the hospital anymore. I just have to hang in there for a bit .hopefully I can as at the moment I am struggling to stay here