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.

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?

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.

Helping oneself or not doing it alone?

One of the biggest obstacles I've encountered during my years of depression and struggling trying to get better, is the commonly heard (mixed) message which tells the depressed person that on one hand they have to "Help Themselves", while at the same time "Don't Try Doing It On Your Own".

Well which is it?

As is with most things, both have some validity, and both have their limits. Some things the person will achieve on their own, others (accomplishments) with outside help.

The problem with telling someone they have to "Help Themselves" is that it literally leaves them out in the cold to do what (until now) they've not been very successful at(!)

Being specific about what they can do for/by themselves is key or they won't know where to start.

As for "Don't Try Doing It On Your Own", that is too often pseudo-sympathy. I was often told to "Not Try By Myself", but the same people who professed those words never offered help or even suggestions.

Unfortunately for those struggling with depression, our disease has often isolated us from others.

Ideally, you do have people close to you, who are trustworthy, caring, and courageous enough to help you through the struggles of the first steps out of depression.

For those who don't, and yes IT IS THE MAJORITY, there is hope. YOU have the courage and strength to make the first step ON YOUR OWN. Call your local mental health center, call or see a doctor, confide in a friend, read up on depression, write in a journal, go for a walk.

It may seem too simple, even useless at the time, but if you do something SPECIFICALLY TO COMBAT YOUR DEPRESSION, you are helping yourself.

Depression is never totally beaten, it always lurks in our minds and bodies. It takes weeks, months, usually years to get a grasp of how to cope with it, each one of us has unique ways of doing so.

So next time someone tells you you need to "Help Yourself", or to "Not Go At It Alone", take it for what it (probably) is; They sympathize, but are not interested in getting involved. And when someone offers help (even if it's just shooting the shit over a cup of coffee), accept graciously.

Ignorance is not humility

I saw an interview recently with a retired politician who was being asked about current political issues, specifically the environment and what could be done about it at the government level. He answered (in an un-politician way) "I don't know". One of the panelists congratulated him for his humility, saying that we too rarely hear active politicians admit ignorance.

In this sense,"ignorance" (IE. Ignoring something) and "Humility" (IE. Openly acknowledging one's ignorance) are related.

I'm referring to a more sinister use of language in which people prefer ignoring a situation, and present this ignorance as humility.

It is said over and over again about mental illness that "I haven't had it, so I don't know", when in reality the person is saying "I don't want to know".

Presenting one's ignorance about mental illness as a sign of humility makes it much more acceptable, but truth is they are choosing to remain ignorant, which is anything but humble, it's lazy.

The truly humble person (like the former politician) is one who seeks to educate themselves on what they are ignorant about.

If I ignore what diabetes is all about, how it develops, who's at risk, what it's like to live with and so on. Even admit that ignorance publicly, that doesn't make me humble, it simply makes me ignorant.

The person who educates themselves about the disease is the one showing humility.

Reality? Not mine.

I've been reading recently different articles and opinions on why "reality television" is as popular as it is.

To my surprise, all writers claim that people watch "reality" shows because they either relate to the participants (think Susan Boyle), see "common people"s troubles magnified (Jon & Kate Plus Eight), or (and this is the most convoluted) enjoy watching celebrities make morons of themselves (Simple Life).

Why this culture is so fascinated with celebrity is still a bit of a mystery to me, but anyone who gets a chuckle out of Paris Hilton ewwwwwwwwwww'ing at the sight of cow manure, or Jose Canseco cage fighting is the being being laughed at.

These celebrity shows and events are targeted at making the audience believe that acting like a jackass equals stardom. They conveniently omit to say that these celebrities became celebrities despite this behaviour, not because of it.

So when I read and hear that viewers feel better about themselves because of these celebrities failures, I can't help but think that's exactly what they (the celebrities) want.

The viewer who watches a "Reality" show where someone makes a total idiot of themselves may be tricked in believing they are "better". But the next day, at the office discussing the show with the colleagues, not knowing if they'll be employed next year, next month, or next week, having to make sure the mortgage is paid, the fridge is full, and the kids are well taken care of, that is REALITY.

That same following day, the celebrities get limousine-driven across town, get wined and dined BY OTHERS, and nanny takes care of the kids. THAT is their reality.