Topic Tuesday // Stigma// Tues 14 May, 7pm AEST

[oceangirl]

Hi @Teej  I am sorry you have experienced, such a negative experience, where it has left you feeling distressed and alone. I can't understand this and why people work in this field when they have such uncaring and unhelpful way of treating people who have a medical condition. I know you struggled a long time with accessing suitable support. My heart goes out to you and the struggles and obstacles you have faced. Just remember its not a reflection of you but a reflection of them. You're amazing and caring and engaging person. Its been a privilege to get to know you.

[Fracturedlight]

@Former-Member most of the time I find I just need someone to sit in the silence with me. That panic in your mind can be eased by someone just sitting in 'it' with you. It's very hard to explain it to someone when you don't understand it yourself. A lot of the time I explain what I am feeling in reference to trying to talk underwater if that makes sense?

[Former-Member]

Thanks @Former-Member - its lovely to hear of supportive and postive experiences where stigma has not existed when expressing your own mental health. 

[Teej]

I think I would like to tell people that everyone with a mi is different, even with the same diagnosis, we experience things differently. I would tell people to ask me questions so they can clarify their own myths or misunderstandings. Education is key to reducing stigma, ignorance breeds it. 

[Former-Member]

@Former-Member 

I have severe anxiety from complex ptsd. I ask people what they are scared of, heights, spiders etc and ask them if they have fallen, been bitten by a spider etc or if their fears are ‘just fears’ and I ask them how strong that fear is. Once I know what they are scared of and that it is a fear ‘without evidence’ I use it as an example when I feel fear and say, I now feel how you feel when you’re scared of spiders. That helps.

[Zoe7]

Agree @Teej Education and reducing the myths around MI is key.

[Former-Member]

That's so frustrating @Owlunar - have you found other instances in your life where you have had good experiences when talking about or expressing your health? How have those conversations happened? 

[Fracturedlight]

@BlueBay I'm so sorry you feel all that. From what I have researched about BPD it's very intricrit and complex. More needs to be done in this area for sure. You are not alone ever.

[Former-Member]

@Fracturedlight and @BlueBay you both speak about describing your emotions or feelings to others, rather than focusing on explaining exactly what 'it' is or your diagnosis - have you found that has been a good way to start off feeling comfortable to educate others around you a bit? 

[Adge]

I had prolonged traumatic experiences spanning about 20 years - that's why I have complex PTSD.

That's very difficult to explain or get across to people, because mention of it seems threatening (to some).

Adge