Stigma (continued)

Back on December 7th 2009 I wrote about the use of the term "stigma" in relation to mental illness (specifically depression), and how it's a euphemism for "shame", but sounds much better.

Today I would like to further the topic of the use of the term "stigma", and how it relates to other facets of depression.

Numerous articles and publications suggest that depression manifests itself differently in men and women adding that "Male Depression contains an extra stigma" (IE. Cultural gender bias). Once again, the word "stigma" sounds better to the ear. Synonyms of "stigma" in this context can include: "gender bias", "unfair disadvantage", and "inequality". Use of these terms (for male depression) would never be accepted.

Another part of mental illness and depression which is stigmatized is compliance (The word adherence can also be used). Compliance is defined as "The degree to which patients follow the medical recommendations of practitioners."

Compliance of mental illness and depression medications is judged much more severely than any other conditions. The person with lung cancer or emphysema who continues smoking, the person with high blood pressure who continues to drink heavily, not get regular exercise, continue eating a high fat diet, even not take their medication will likely get reprimanded, but they will not be portrayed as "weak-willed", or "just not wanting to help themselves".

Also, the idea that psychiatric medications are "more important" than medications for other conditions is false. The diabetic who misses his insulin is at much higher risk than the depressive who misses his anti-depressive medication or even the schizophrenic who misses his lithium.

Difficulty posting

I have not posted in too long (to me). It's not due to a lack of things to write about going on in my life (work, relationships, finances, goals...) and how these impact my mood.

I often even write down blogging ideas, yet when the time comes to put it on here, I just don't.

Several factors account for this, lower energy level, bad time management, simple laziness.

I recognize a bit of a more insidious reason; I have expectations for this blog.

I say insidious because un-realized expectations have often been a trigger for depressive episodes. I have began jobs why expectations of this one being "The One", gotten new apartments with lofty goals of "this is where I'll establish myself once for good". There's nothing wrong with appropriate goal setting, and having ambition, but all in appropriate terms.

This remains "only" a blog, one among millions out there. A good one (I like to think), but one of many regardless of it's quality.

I also have bigger goals such as emigrating to Australia (which everything that will encompass), and getting settled down with my fiancee. Now I recognize how those are much loftier, yet more important, and definitely achievable.

This blog is just one of those many (seemingly) "less important" goals. The whole "Nothing dramatic will happen if I don't blog today" creeps in. As true as that is, if I choose not to blog based on that reasoning, I'm validating the excuse, and before you know it I won't be blogging at all.

Some things are more important than others, but just because something is less important is no reason to stop entirely.