Happy Mental Health Monday, my friends! I've decided to finally start dropping the anonymous perspectives on Mental Health and its stigma every Monday, starting today. Some of the perspectives will not be anonymous (those who have given me permission to openly share their stories), and those will be tagged with the individual's name.

If you need a refresher on what this series is all about, take a look at this post here.

Now, let's dive right in, shall we?

Q: Do you know anyone with a mental health condition? If yes, who?
A: I know several people with both Diagnosed and Undiagnosed mental disorders.

Q: What were your preconceived notions about disorders such as bipolar 1 & 2 or schizophrenia?
A: I thought all mental illness were a weakness of the mind. Just something that can be fixed with more will power or a great routine. I never heard of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder except in movies like 'Fight Club' and they portrayed mental illness as a complete disconnection between reality and the person's mental image.

Q: Has that changed over time, and why?
A: My view of bipolar has changed over time not as a result of diligent research into the matter, but by being diagnosed with the disorder.

Q: Do you think depression and anxiety are less taboo topics now?
A: I don't think it is less taboo.  I think the terms are used more frequently and they have become less taboo, however, I think the symptoms of anxiety and depression still remain very much taboo.  If i stayed in the house for 5 days...people would still call that weird and not depression.

Q: How about schizophrenia and bipolar, in comparison?
A: Bipolar and Schizophrenia are very taboo because the actions of this group are sensationalized.  One incident from someone with this disease now characterizes all people from this group.  Since the symptoms of bipolar and schizophrenia are more severe than depression and anxiety..so comes the severe taboo.

If you'd like to take part in this series, anonymously or openly, please take a look at the survey here or feel free to reach out to me directly via my contact form.


'Til next Monday, my loves... xx