I've often wondered why there are so many stigmas in the world, and how they came to be stigmas. Was it one person who had an idea about something, told someone, and it took off from there? Or was it a group of 'experts' that got together one day and picked a topic out of a hat to pick on for that day? Be that as it may, how stigmas came about
is not the reason for this post. This post is about my stigma.
My stigma has followed me for years. No, it's not the stigma of having a deadbeat father, and no, it's not the stigma of having a single mother either. It's a stigma that many people (more than you think) are attached with due to nothing that they chose, nothing that they asked for. My stigma is the stigma that comes along with the diagnosis of depression. Yes, you heard/read correctly. I have depression. (Or I used to. I'm not sure anymore, but that's another story.)
I finally decided to 'come clean' about because of the stigma itself. It is not fair to attach a stigma to this, or to anything for that matter. But what motivates me more so than that is the fact that other people have the courage to share this fact, yet I sit here, cowering like the lion. I figure if people can put it on their blog, on a public message board, or anywhere else, why can't I? Also, if I do, then maybe we're one step closer to ending the stigma attached to depression.
8 comments:
Great that you came clean because there is nothing wrong with it besides that label that should be thrown away.
Thanks for the support Ski. Much appreciated. :)
Wow, Aviva. It's brave of you to come out in the open like that, and I admire your ability and desire to do so.
A stigma is that silly thing that gives others the false sense that they're allowed to hold it against you. It also, so often, prevents people from getting the help they need. When I see someone refusing to become a slave to the stigma, and coming out in the open, showing the world that he/she is exactly like everyone else, that makes me proud. You go, girl!
^^^^
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What Shalva'le said.
(((hugs)))
*hugs* that's a hard stigma to talk about. or so i have found ;) and....if you would get a livejournal :P you would see, i have been posting about my own stigma lately, which is also a big step. *hi5's you and hopes you hi5 back* lol.
and i finally broke down and started a blogspot. because i ran across a friend that disabled commenting from non-members. i might even post here occasionally...but if i do, you owe me :p
-irae, who else?
Sure, I am here for you:).
Mary-Thanks. Hopefully, we're one step closer.
Hisb-Thank you! I'll admit, I was afraid to tell people in the beginning (years ago), but as time went on I realized I have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
Enigma-Thanks for the hug, and the support. :)
Beans/Irae-Yay! Another one converted! Hehe. Ok, ok. MAYBE I owe you. Maybe I don't. I'll decide later. :P And thanks for being there. :)
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