mister d wrote: ↑Sat Nov 20, 2021 4:56 pm
Oh man I’m not sure I want to do that link right now.
I was waiting for a time I could sit down and really read this. Powerful stuff and important to share, both for yourself and for others who may be going through something similar. Removing the stigma from mental illness is vital, and we've come a long way. Despite majoring in Psychology and spending more than 20 years under psychiatric care (medication) or therapy or both combined, I still feel a need to hide it. For me, and assume others, internal stigma is a symptom of the disease. Depression causes a feeling of shame and self-loathing, and a fear of others finding out. I don't know what I feared about others finding out, but I still have this fear.
Whenever I have opened up about my depression or shared that I see a therapist, I have never once sensed any judgment from anyone. It's almost always met with a reciprocal admission of having seen a therapist for something or compassion. Yet my fear is still there. And as Brian mentioned, I stopped caring about being judged many years ago, yet the fear of my secret getting out is still there.
All that said, if anyone ever needs someone to talk to, don't hesitate to reach out. Talking about our demons is incredibly helpful and hearing others understand and got through what you are dealing with provides hope.
An honest to God cult of personality - formed around a failed steak salesman.
-Pruitt