Monday, December 7, 2009

Stigma

Dictionary definition of stigma:
1. A mark of disgrace or infamy; as on one reputation.
Medical:
2. A mental or physical mark that is characteristic or a defect or disease.

Disgrace, infamy, is that what we think of when referring to mental illness being "stigmatized"? No, rather it is presented in the form of "ignorance". "Mental illness is stigmatized because people are ignorant of it's forms and symptoms".

The word "stigma" in it's current usage is actually a euphemism for "shame". We (the general feeling) feel SHAME for anyone with mental illness, but don't have the courage to say it as such.
In fact, the current use of the word "stigma" even subtly suggests that the "stigmatized" (IE. Mentally Ill person) is at fault. "Others don't understand you, but you're the one who needs change". What about these "others who don't understand" educating themselves!

I don't understand what diabetics, or cancer patients go through on a daily basis, does that make them "stigmatized", or me ignorant? The same applies to mental illness, when someone does not understand it, the sufferer is not "stigmatized", the first person is simply ignorant. So just as it is up to me to educate myself about diabetes and cancer, it is up to them to educate themselves about mental illness.

Reality is that mental illness is still seen as shameful. Like most everything else in today's world, people have come up with softer terms (in this case "stigma") in order to make unacceptable beliefs acceptable.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Adaptation

Adapting to one's environment is a sign of mental health. In the 21st century western world, that suggests working 35-40 hours a week in order to earn enough to pay one's housing, food, clothing, and transportation.

When someone of working capacity (by outward looks) doesn't or doesn't manage to pay their way, they're somehow wrong.

The simplistic idea that "That's just the way it is so it's right" is very rarely questioned.

Compared to humanity of 2, 000+ years ago, have we truly progressed as a species?

Working to get lodging, feed one self (and family), wear the clothing, and use the transport of the time. That's what was expected of people. Not very different.

Intellectually we do know more than we did back then. Due in part to history itself (IE. There IS more to know), and communication, which is more accessible.

Technologically we are way more advanced (IE. Just reading this blog proves that).

But as a species are we more advanced? Our so-called intelligence hasn't prevented us from being at war constantly.

We "know" that a healthy life (on all levels) requires much more than simply functioning, yet as long as one is functioning, we are satisfied. "You have a job, pay your bills, what do you have to worry or complain about?"

Funny thing is when oneself is simply functioning it's far from enough. We "know" that functioning is not enough for us, but don't have the presence of mind to inquire about others.

Functioning isn't enough for me, what about you?

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Privacy

Recently in Canada an insurance company stopped making disability payments to a woman who was on long-term disability due to depression. The reason they (ManuLife Financial) stopped the payments; they went to her Facebook page and saw pictures of her at a party and diagnosed her to be no longer depressed.

A few things caught my attention about this case.

Firstly, why are ManuLife Financial looking up people's Facebook profiles?

Secondly, where will this "search" end? What if they had seen party picture of said woman on someone else's Facebook profile? Would that have been enough to cancel her payments?

Thirdly, and most importantly when someone is chronically depressed, going out, meeting people, socializing, and having fun is a main component of their recovery.

I don't know whether this woman had recovered from her depression, but i do know that ManuLife Financial dropped the ball.

Ignorance

As a depression sufferer I have too often heard "I've never had it so I don't know".

When a situation occurs and a person recognizes they are ignorant about a topic, usually the person will educate themselves about said topic. Except (of course) if it has to do with mental illness.

For some reason, sufferers of mental illness are mandated to educate the rest of the world about their plight.

The worse part of it all is that in today's communication age, there's no reason to justify ignorance about ANYTHING. Anyone claiming ignorance over any other topic (than mental illness) would not be taken seriously, they would be told to inform themselves.

The responsibility of education lies on the ignorant.