Not that I've ever tried to hide my mental health issues but I'm always glad to see a celebrity speaking frankly on the topic. CZJ is on a recent cover of People Magazine talking about treating her bipolar disorder.
That takes balls, big brass ones.
Even in 2011, there's still a lot of stigma attached to mental illness. Seems like many people continue to misunderstand what it is; some question whether it is even a "real" problem and some even believe people who live with mental illness are responsible for having their disorder. Absurd, I know!
Let me make it clear - it IS an actual, medical issue. No organ is infallible, so why assume the brain is? To the non-believers, do you actually think psychologists, psychiatrists and pharmaceutical companies conspired to create an imaginary illness just so they could have something to do? Then would they get all the imaginary patients all over the world to fake all the same symptoms for particular disorders? Come on now, be realistic... they wouldn't.
(At this time, I will acknowledge that some people do fake illnesses. I think it's called Münchausen syndrome. I'm not talking about those certain individuals in this instance. Their existence doesn't prove that mental illness is 'fake.' If anything, it proves the opposite of that. Everyone on the same page here?)
I have an anxiety disorder and to a rather severe degree. My parents noticed symptoms when I was about 3 years old. At age 19, I began treatment with therapy and medication. Don't ask why it took so long... it doesn't matter at this point. Today I continue to take meds and occasionally see a therapist. There is no cure but treatment does improve my quality of life significantly. The daily struggle never goes away but with help, it's tolerable and I'm able to be a mostly functional member of society.
If you think you or someone you know has a mental illness, there is no shame in getting help. If you have a friend who acts uncontrollably moody, depressed, nervous, paranoid, etc... don't blame them for it. Be supportive, suggest they talk to a doctor.
If funds are limited, explain this to the doctor. There are ways you can treat your disorder on a budget. Some doctors will discount office visits for people who don't have insurance. My doctor did when I didn't have coverage. He would also give me samples of the medication to help me out when I couldn't afford to refill my prescription every month. If you can't cover the price of one-on-one therapy, there might be support groups in your area that cost little to nothing.
You don't have to suffer and you shouldn't blame yourself. You might never be totally symptom-free but you CAN feel better, so get on the internet and find a mental health professional in your area. There are people who understand what you're going through. Catherine Zeta-Jones does and so do I.
Great post, Buffie! I understand the stigma behind getting treatment for mental illnesses -- no one wants to believe their brain is somehow "imperfect." Unlike their liver, or their bladder, or their ____. I know a lot of people in my life have found great relief from getting treatment. End the stigma!
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