The shaming of people admitting to mental disease is less intense, but there still are social norms that shame people for seeking help or a lack-there-of.
However, I am the first generation among several generations of documented mental health issues in the family to actually seek help and treatment. The reason I did this is to avoid the suicide, alcoholism, and abundant self-destructive behaviors that plague the family. I'm certainly not over-playing the severity of my family's heritage; most of the are dead and the rest are going in that direction anyway.
I wanted to begin my adult life on good terms with myself, but I later found it was harder than expected. Medications are expensive and often have unsavory side effects. My family and friends looked down on me and always asked what was wrong with me if I had a psychiatrist and medication. Most importantly, changing my cognitive behavior has been extremely difficult, especially in less than helpful environments. Although, I understand myself more than I ever have and sometimes I can identify what triggers depressive episodes and anxiety attacks.
My journey to health is neither over nor will it ever be; my mental illnesses are hereditary and may never go away, but I'm preventing it from getting worse and adversely affecting the people around me. As Mental Health Awareness Month I encourage anyone interested or curious about available treatment and support to visit the website: 211.org to find local resources aimed to reduce and treatment mental illness.
~ Chelsea
