[Redway]

Sadly, the social stigma attached to psychological issues is still commonplace (even though 1 in 4 will be affected at some point). Have you ever suffered any exclusion/ignorance and did this worsen your condition(s)?

[Smithy]

I didn't even bother telling anyone when I went on anti anxiety/anti depressants, cause I could just imagine people saying it wasn't something that was a problem and that I was just naturally shy or something, when infact I was having really bad panic attacks and things

It's really sad because my friends mum suffers from depression and she doesn't see it as a real thing, she sort of just brushes it off as if she's overreacting to how she's feeling, which is almost like saying something like "oh my mums ill she's got cancer again

[Vicky.]

I honestly dont think theres much of a stigma surrounding depression and such these days...I mean, half my mates are on antidepressants for one reason or another, I was at one point too.

I never suffered any exclusion when on my pills, even though most people knew I was on them (besides in an argument one day av telling me I needed to go take my loopy pills )

[Kyle]

I had to leave my job because my mental health problem affected my life too much. I was a gardener for my local council. Before I left I came clean to my team and even though I wasn't outright mocked I pretty much became a pariah for the last week.

[Redway]

Originally Posted by Smithy

I didn't even bother telling anyone when I went on anti anxiety/anti depressants, cause I could just imagine people saying it wasn't something that was a problem and that I was just naturally shy or something, when infact I was having really bad panic attacks and things

It's really sad because my friends mum suffers from depression and she doesn't see it as a real thing, she sort of just brushes it off as if she's overreacting to how she's feeling, which is almost like saying something like "oh my mums ill she's got cancer again

Yeah, it's a particular bug-bearer of mine how many think that you can easily 'snap out' of emotional issues because they're not something you can see and all that nonsense. I myself have had a real battle with bouts of anxiety and depression in the past (still on medication for my OCD) and I've had loads telling me to resist my urges just like that as if it were that simple.

[Natalie.]

Not really because not many people know

[lostalex]

It depends which mental health illnesses people are stigmatizing. I think its fair to judge people based on psychological issues, especially the more severe ones.

The truth is, people with mental health issues can be a lot to handle, and not everyone can handle it. Especially as someone who has mental health issues myself, i really can't handle dating other guys with issues. It's just too much. And i don't blame anyone for not wanting to date me because of my issues.

In the end I think everyone should be responsible for their own behavior, and yes, mental problems do affect your behavior, and just because you have mental illness doesn't mean you aren't accountable for your own behavior.

Many people with mental illness use it as an excuse, and think people should have a different standard for their behavior./ People who use their illness as an excuse annoy me.

I understand that I have appalling behavior sometimes because of my issues, but i never expect anyone to automatically forgive me for my behavior just because i have mental illness.

[Ryan57]

Lot's will never understand. I have family members with severe mental health problems. My Auntie was one who never understood, she'd say 'we all have moments, but you have to get on with things'... now her husband died she understands mental health.

[arista]

Originally Posted by Vicky.

I honestly dont think theres much of a stigma surrounding depression and such these days...I mean, half my mates are on antidepressants for one reason or another, I was at one point too.

I never suffered any exclusion when on my pills, even though most people knew I was on them (besides in an argument one day av telling me I needed to go take my loopy pills )

They need a USA Holiday
it would Open their minds

[Nedusa]

I agree there is still a huge amount of stigma attached to Mental Health, yet the term itself covers the whole spectrum of health issues associated with the brain. From taking sleeping pills to receiving Electro Shock therapy one's mental health could be anywhere in between.

I think the fear is that you as a person could be undermined by a variety of sources and find yourself marginalised and ultimately cast out by Society.

The tipping point I guess is where you lose the ability to make sensible,rational, coherent choices.. the point where your behaviour becomes irrational and you cease to function within the agreed normal rules of society. At this point then yes your mental health has dimished to a point where you require serious medical help.

However, for millions of people they never reach that point, they may be taking vast amounts of drugs or other treatments but they still stay on the right side of this line.

The stigma I guess is to be seen to cross this line and become a threat to the rest of us....!!!!!

[Kate!]

I don't think anyone can truly understand how I feel/have felt unless they have suffered it themselves, and sometimes people seem to be dismissive or think you should 'just get on with it' or think you are a horrible person when really you are acting the way you are because of your issues and can't help it.

I have a better grip on things now though than I used to, I let a lot of things go....still struggle sometimes not to get so easily wound up.

[LaLaLand]

I actually found everyone to be very understanding, it was so out of left field because I'm such a talkative, outgoing person so for people to hear "I'm scared to leave the house somedays" then it was complete shock/"are you kidding?" to being completely sympathetic.

Sometimes though they can be OVER sympathetic to the point they're almost condescending but I just go along with it because they're 'just being nice'.

What I did learn though, during the two years I had of trying to get back to normal and stuff, I really did realise who my real mates were. Some won't even bother with me today for some reason, they must think I'll try and stab 'em or something.

[Kizzy]

There is a quite contradictory attitude around atm, if you claim ESA and it's for mental health issues then at your ATOS examination you're automatically deemed fit for work if you can maintain eye contact and you don't have suicidal or murderous thoughts... How is that showing understanding of mental health issues?
That's what makes me laugh when I see these adverts that are suggesting there is understanding and compassion for those affected, it's not the experience of most I know who have had mental health issues.
Chuck some prozac at you during a 3 min consultation.

[the truth]

Originally Posted by Kizzy

There is a quite contradictory attitude around atm, if you claim ESA and it's for mental health issues then at your ATOS examination you're automatically deemed fit for work if you can maintain eye contact and you don't have suicidal or murderous thoughts... How is that showing understanding of mental health issues?
That's what makes me laugh when I see these adverts that are suggesting there is understanding and compassion for those affected, it's not the experience of most I know who have had mental health issues.
Chuck some prozac at you during a 3 min consultation.

sadly the freeloaders, the sly lazy benefit milkmen who smoke pot and are utterly workshy, effectively steal the money in the pot from the really mentally ill....same with disability benefits

[daniel-lewis-1985]

There's definitely stigma still around and that will never change, people will allways judge its human nature to judge someone or be scared of something foreign to themselves unfortunately.

Unless someone has struggled with a mental health issue or has a close friend or family member suffering from one they have no idea what it's like to be the person or how it affects the people around that person. Telling someone to snap out of it is the worst thing you could say to someone suffering as It effectively will make them bury their problems or be ashamed when it's not that persons fault.

No one chooses to suffer with anxiety or depression so to be judged on it must suck.

[InOne]

I think it's hard for people to understand because unless they suffer with it they simply aren't interested. It's pretty hard to empathise with someone with mental illness even when you've suffered it yourself because it affects everyone differently. I've talked about it on the internet over the years but in real life I'd never mention anything about it. It's not the done thing. Also I come across people who wear it as a badge of honour. Like justify actions because they've labelled themselves with a mental illness. It's hard to sympathise with those types.

[Niall]

I've been agoraphobic for a couple years now and most of the time if I tell people I get panic attacks they're usually pretty okay about it. The majority of my problems I've had is with my immediate family. Like my Dad seems to think it washes away after 1 counselling session and my Mum told me I embarrass her because I have anxiety attacks, so go figure.

[Redway]

Originally Posted by InOne

I think it's hard for people to understand because unless they suffer with it they simply aren't interested. It's pretty hard to empathise with someone with mental illness even when you've suffered it yourself because it affects everyone differently. I've talked about it on the internet over the years but in real life I'd never mention anything about it. It's not the done thing. Also I come across people who wear it as a badge of honour. Like justify actions because they've labelled themselves with a mental illness. It's hard to sympathise with those types.

Yeah, definitely and it always does me in no end whenever people dodge the bullet for serious crimes because they're suffering from depression/psychosis or whatever. Individual cases obviously need consideration but it tarnishes the already stigmatised perception of mental health as a whole. The misconceptions need to end.

[InOne]

Originally Posted by Redway

Yeah, definitely and it always does me in no end whenever people dodge the bullet for serious crimes because they're suffering from depression/psychosis or whatever. Individual cases obviously need consideration but it tarnishes the already stigmatised perception of mental health as a whole. The misconceptions need to end.

They're trying to stop admissions to hospitals as well now, only in extreme cases. Which is better really because it stops people being professional patients. I don't think that environment does people any good anyhow, if their mental illness can be managed at home then it helps people to still live normal lives.