Labelling myself as mentally ill isn't doing my self esteem any good :/

[Xerosnake90]

Hey there, I do not suffer from anxiety. However, I suffer from schizophrenia and depression. I am sure you are well aware that my illness is far more stigmatizing than anxiety, with the name of my illness associated with insanity. However, I have never concerned myself with people labeling me. In fact, I openly embrace and accept it. It is part of who I am, and I am proud of the fact that I have a severe mental illness and can still function like I do. While I do not have a career right now, I am studying at college. It is my intention to become a lawyer one day and openly tell everyone around me about my illness in hopes of lowering the stigma.

I feel that part of the problem of people with mental illnesses is that even we ourselves look down on ourselves. Instead we should all openly discuss it with our friends and family. If even we look down on ourselves, no one will look up to us.

Beautiful approach. How does your diagnosis affect you if you don't mind me asking?

[Imperius]

I function pretty well most of the time. I was lucky after several changes, this medication work really well on me and I am perhaps not the most severe case of schizophrenia. Technically my diagnosis is schizoaffective disorder, which has the symptoms of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. I no longer have much hallucinations and delusions and have developed the skills to differentiate them and reality. One of my most annoying symptom that I have right now is changing my goals pretty frequently but I am trying to stick through one commitment at a time, like school for example. It took me almost 3 years, but I think I am ready to tackle new challenges again.

[X64]

I do not view myself as a stand out from the world. Instead I realize that everyone has their struggles, big and tall. You are not mentally Ill more so than being human. It's just another struggle. I've faced it since I was young and never had a label for it. Labeling it for me only did one thing, give me clearer focus on what to resolve. Just keep moving forward and enjoy life. What is life if not something to be enjoyed?

Hey there, I do not suffer from anxiety. However, I suffer from schizophrenia and depression. I am sure you are well aware that my illness is far more stigmatizing than anxiety, with the name of my illness associated with insanity. However, I have never concerned myself with people labeling me. In fact, I openly embrace and accept it. It is part of who I am, and I am proud of the fact that I have a severe mental illness and can still function like I do. While I do not have a career right now, I am studying at college. It is my intention to become a lawyer one day and openly tell everyone around me about my illness in hopes of lowering the stigma.

I feel that part of the problem of people with mental illnesses is that even we ourselves look down on ourselves. Instead we should all openly discuss it with our friends and family. If even we look down on ourselves, no one will look up to us.

That is a fantastic approach, I always used get annoyed that other members of family did not know what was going on with my brother (because he doesn't leave the house due to anxiety) and told my mum she should just tell everyone because I'm sick of hiding these things from people and they need to be informed to make mental illnesses more aware. It can feel quite liberating to tell people what you have I agree, but I tend to keep quiet if I feel it would jeopardize me in anyway....but then again maybe I shouldn't have this attitude, because if any is narrow minded enough to not even attempt to try and understand it, then I don't really want to be any part of them.

About your schizophrenia, I came across this on the net, maybe you've seen it already, it's about a law professor at the University of Southern California who suffers from schizophrenia. I didn't read it all, but it looks good and talks about how it didn't stop her etc

I cant post links yet, but she was called Elyn Saks, she does a TED talk about it.....I'm sure you must have seen it

[Enduronman]

I openly embrace and accept it. It is part of who I am. Instead we should all openly discuss it with our friends and family.

Powerful words there Imperius!
Great advice..

E-Man

[1Bluerose68]

I believe, that to a certain extent, how anxiety is dealt with is in many ways Cultural. In some countries the women who are anxious are seen as Trouble Makers. In other cultures Anxiety is felt Everyday and women must Learn to Cope by appearing Thick Skinned and internalizing their fears and anxiety with disassociation, and must keep on going. They must be The head of the Family. No one must know of their Weakness or they may be De-Throned, and seen as a Shame to the family. But Anxiety is one of those grey areas where 1 may feel anxious and never talk to anyone about it, and no one ever finds out therefore. Anxiety is subjective. Its objectified by a paper and pencil test. Sure they use drugs on it , and it helps some people. But the root of many cases of Anxiety runs deep. It will remain until the skeleton is removed from the closet and some spiritual house cleaning is performed. Labeling it mental is only a label, Not a Mental Illness. PTSD takes time to recover from. Some of our nation's finest soldiers suffer from this problem. I won't call it a mental illness though. It's a form of severe anxiety that must be worked through Intensly. However our system of med care does not treat PTSD at that required level. They give anti anxiety meds and label and perhaps an invitation to a 1x per week tribe like support group, which for many just re-opens a can of mealy worms. People suffering from anxiety are good people who are in need of some Really Good Therapy. Our nation doesn't do that yet. Our system controls how many times a patient may see a Good Therapist. It's not that often as they are Not Alone, and everyone wants to see A Good Therapist too. But I don't agree that ALL anxiety, and suffers of anxiety are Mentally Ill. They need an Ear to intensely be Listened to on a regular basis, not 1x per month, a label, and 90 days worth of sleeping pills,OK! And labels REALLY are for health care insurance purposes. Otherwise who's gonna pay the therapist? Well, certainly NOT the unemployed gal on workman's comp due to PTSD from workplace stress. So they must find a diagnosis that fits so that the Big Corporation will have an Objective Statistic to enter into their books before justifying a Disability Payment....But, she's NOT necessarily Mentally Ill. Some people are, others Never choose to see a therapist, live on the sidewalks, and swear that they ought to be running for President too. Whose to judge." K-Ce-Rah-Sa-Rah...."